Technological advances continue to move at breakneck speeds. While companies struggle through their digital transformation journeys, even more new technologies emerge, with promises of opportunity, cost savingsand added complexity. Many companies have yet to fully adopt AI and ML technologies, let alone figure out how newer technologies like generative AI might fit into their programs. A 2024 IDC survey revealed 22% of tech leaders said their organizations havent yet reached full digital maturity, and 41% of respondents said the complexity of integrating new technologies and approaches with existing tech stacks is the biggest challenge for tech adoption. To fuel successful technology adoption and maximize outcomes, companies need to focus on simplifying infrastructure architecture rather than how to make new technologies fit into existing stacks. When it comes to digital transformation, choosing an architectural approach over a purely technology-driven one is about seeing the bigger picture, says Rajarshi Purkayastha, the VP of solutions at Tata Communications. Instead of focusing on isolated tools or systems, an architectural approach connects the dotslinking silos rather than simply trying to eliminate them. Establishing the robust global network most companies need to connect these dots and link their silos requires more capability and bandwidth than traditional networks like multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) circuits can typically provide in a cost-effective way. To keep pace with innovation, consumer demands, and market competition, todays wide area networks (WANs) need to support flexible, anywhere connectivity for multi-cloud based services, remote locations and users, and edge data centers. Understanding hybrid WAN Traditional MPLS became the gold standard for most WAN architectures in the early 2000s to address the mounting challenges brought by the rapid growth of the internet and subsequent rapid expansions of enterprise networks. Today, as technological advances continue to accelerate, however, the limitations of MPLS are becoming apparent: MPLS networking is expensive; hard-wired connectivity is difficult to scale; and on its own, it doesnt fit well with cloud computing adoption strategies. In 2014, Gartner predicted hybrid WANs would be the future of networking. Hybrid WANs differ from traditional WANs in that the hybrid architecture facilitates multiple connection points: private network connections for mission-critical business, usually via the legacy MPLS circuits; and public network connections, typically utilizing internet connections such as 5G, LTE, or VPN, for less critical data traffic; and dedicated internet access (DIA) for somewhat critical traffic. In 2025, we are seeing signs Gartners hybrid WAN prediction might be coming to fruition. At Tata Communications, for example, hybrid WAN is a key component of its network fabricone facet of its digital fabric architecture, which weaves together networking, interaction, cloud, and IoT technologies. Our digital fabric simplifies the complexity of managing diverse technologies, breaks down silos, and provides a secure, unified platform for hyper-connected ecosystems, explains Purkayastha. By doing so, it ensures businesses have the agility, visibility, and scalability to succeed in their digital transformation journeyturning challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth. Hybrid WAN provides the flexible, real-time data traffic channeling an architectural approach requires to create a programmable, performant, and secure network that can reduce complexities and ease adoption of emerging technologies. Its not just about solving todays challengesit lays the groundwork for a resilient, scalable future, says Purkayastha. Benefits of hybrid WAN Hybrid networking architectures support digital transformation journeys and emerging tech adoption in several ways. More efficient, even intelligent, data trafficking. A hybrid architecture brings together multiple avenues of data flow from MPLS and internet connectivity, which provides highly flexible, resilient architecture along with increased bandwidth to decrease network congestion. It also allows companies to prioritize critical data traffic. Hybrid WANs can also combine the hyper-secure connectivity of MPLS with software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) technology, which allows for intelligent switching across a companys information highways. If, for instance, one route encounters latency or malfunctions, that traffic will be automatically re-routed, helping to maintain continuous connectivity and reduce downtime. Increased scalability. The agility and flexibility of a hybrid WAN allows companies to dynamically scale bandwidth up or down as application needs change. An agile WAN architecture also paves the way for scaling business operations. Less complex cloud migration and easier adoption of new technologies. Adding internet connectivity to MPLS circuits allows for seamless data trafficking to the cloud, providing a more direct way for companies to transition to cloud-first strategies. Easing cloud migration also opens doors for emerging technologies like AI, generative AI, and machine learning, enabling companies to innovate to remain relevant in their markets. Improved productivity. The internet speed and connectivity of a hybrid WAN keeps geographically separated company locations and remote workers connected, increasing efficiency and collaboration. Easier integration with legacy systems. A hybrid approach allows legacy MPLS connections to remain, while offloading less sensitive data traffic to the internet. The ability to incorporate legacy applications and processes into a hybrid architecture not only eases integration and adoption, but helps to maximize returns on network investments. Network cost savings. Many of the benefits on this list translate into cost savings, as internet bandwidth is considerably cheaper than MPLS networking. A reduction in downtime reduces expenses companywide, and the ability to customize bandwidth usage at scale gives companies more control over network expenses while maximizing connectivity. Deploying a hybrid WAN A recent collaboration between Air France-KLM Group and Tata Communications highlights the benefits a hybrid WAN can bring to a global enterprise. Air France looked to increase its network and application performance threefold without incurring additional costsand while ensuring the security and integrity of their network. A hybrid WAN solutionspecifically, using MPLS and internet services from Tata Communications and other third-party providersafforded the flexibility, resilience, and continuous connectivity they needed. According to Tata Communications, the hybrid architecture increased Air Frances network availability to more than 99.94%, supporting its global office locations as well as their customer-facing applications, including passenger and cargo bookings and operating service centers. However, which connectivity to choose based on location type and application is complex, given the fact that networks vary by region, and one has to also take into account regulations, for e.g., in China, says Purkayastha. This is what Tata Communications helps customers withchoosing the right type of network, resulting in both cost savings and a better user experience. Enabling business for success Innovating and expanding enterprise operations in todays era of increasingly complex technology evolutions requires businesses to find agile and cost-effective avenues to stay connected and competitive. As emerging machine learning and AI technologies arent likely to slow, hybrid network architectures likely are going to become necessary infrastructure components for companies of all sizes. The flexibility, resiliency, and configurability of a hybrid WAN provides a relatively straightforward, lightweight network upgrade to allow companies to focus on business objectives with less time and expense worrying about network reliability and reach. At the end of the day, it isnt just about technologyits about enabling your business to stay agile, competitive, and ready to innovate, no matter how the landscape shifts, says Purkayastha.