NTT Data, Zebra Partner to Boost Private 5G Device Availability

Japanese IT solutions provider NTT Data is partnering with Zebra Technologies to offer affordable 5G devices to accelerate the adoption of private 5G networks.

Under the multi-year partnership, NTT Data’s device as a service (DaaS) will provide customers with access to Zebra’s solutions.

DaaS is a subscription-based service that lets companies lease devices for a monthly fee per user rather than buying a device outright. Businesses can use DaaS to manage device life cycles including deployment, support and repair management.

The two companies say the addition of Zebra’s device to the DaaS service will enable customers to replace outdated legacy devices with new 5G solutions, bridging the gap in connected devices for the enterprise private 5G market.

“In our relentless pursuit to drive private 5G and edge AI adoption within the enterprises, we’re thrilled to join forces with Zebra Technologies globally,” said Shahid Ahmed, NTT Data’s group executive vice president for edge services. “This alliance underscores our dedication to empowering enterprises with transformative capabilities that propel edge and private 5G use cases and data-driven experiences.” 

According to research firm Omdia, the enterprise private 5G market is projected to grow by 35% globally over the next four years, reaching nearly $10 billion by 2028. NTT’s own research suggests that 80% of organizations believe legacy technologies prevent them from innovating. 

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NTT’s partnership with Zebra will focus on intelligent asset tracking, allowing for real-time monitoring and management of assets in industrial and enterprise settings. The companies state that the joint efforts will enhance visibility, efficiency and security capabilities in Industry 4.0 supply chain management, the companies claimed.

An early example of the partnership in action is at forklift manufacturer Hyster-Yale Group. 

The company is leveraging NTT’s Daas service to access handheld mobile computers and tablets from Zebra Technologies to track assets and materials as they enter and exit manufacturing sites. NTT Data is deploying a Private 5G network throughout Hyster-Yale’s manufacturing operations, which work with Zebra Technologies' devices to provide critical business intelligence from the production lines to storage sites.

“Adding Zebra devices to our storefront has allowed us to procure units through our DaaS program with NTT Data, offering much more stock-keeping unit customization within a standard device set,” said Pierluigi Mastroddi, Hyster-Yale’s director of IT infrastructure services.

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NTT's partnership with Zebra follows a similar deal struck with Qualcomm, aimed at accelerating 5G adoption and driving AI adoption at the edge.

“Our partnership with NTT Data underscores our commitment to bring customers the latest innovations powered by Wi-Fi, Private LTE and Private 5G networks,” said Julie Johnson, Zebra Technologies’ general manager of enterprise mobile computing. “We’re excited to leverage the global scale of NTT DATA’s capabilities to benefit our customers and be a vital part of a growing 5G device ecosystem, ensuring businesses can thrive in today’s rapidly evolving landscape.”