Global research firm Information Services Group (ISG) has launched a study evaluating enterprise managed network service providers. Slated for publication in December 2026, the report assesses vendor capabilities in Network as a Service, automated operations, and managed connectivity to guide corporate IT buyers during cloud and AI infrastructure transitions.
STAMFORD, Conn. — Information Services Group (ISG), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm, announced on July 27, 2026, the launch of a comprehensive research study examining global enterprise managed network service providers.
The study, titled ISG Provider Lens™ Enterprise Managed Network Services, evaluates service providers and network operators that help corporate clients modernize legacy infrastructure, enhance operational security, and support distributed cloud and artificial intelligence workloads. The research comes as enterprises increasingly move away from static networking models toward automated, software-defined environments. The final evaluation results will be published in a series of detailed reports scheduled for release in December 2026.
Evaluating Market Capabilities Across Essential Network Quadrants
According to official study documentation, the upcoming research series evaluates vendors across key delivery capabilities designed to address complex operational requirements. The analysis examines service portfolios in three main areas:
Managed Network Operations and Transformation: Assessing service providers that deliver end-to-end network modernization, automated operations, and advisory support to help clients transition from legacy architecture.
Network as a Service (NaaS): Evaluating vendors offering cloud-based, on-demand networking models aligned with Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) standards, allowing enterprises to consume infrastructure dynamically without operating physical assets.
Managed Enterprise Connectivity Services: Analyzing providers of fully managed dedicated internet access (DIA), voice over internet protocol (VoIP), and virtual private network (VPN) solutions.
ISG research team members will assess vendors across major global markets, including North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Analysts Kenn Walters and Yash Jethani Pradeep serve as lead authors for the global study.
Industry Context: Shifts Toward AI Integration and Hybrid Connectivity
As organizations distribute data, applications, and hybrid workforces across multiple public cloud and edge environments, traditional enterprise networks face performance and scalability constraints. Modern enterprise managed network service providers are expanding their offerings to incorporate artificial intelligence for network operations (AIOps), zero-trust security architectures, and automated orchestration.
In recent years, enterprise adoption of software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and secure access service edge (SASE) platforms has accelerated. According to ISG market analyses, corporate buyers seek managed service partners that can reduce capital expenditure, improve network visibility, and ensure continuous experience assurance across multi-cloud deployments.
In addition, the integration of private 5G networks and edge computing capabilities requires specialized managed service expertise to maintain low latency and operational resilience for industrial and commercial operations.
Official Sources Section
According to official announcements released by Information Services Group (Nasdaq: III):
Surveys have been distributed to nearly 200 global enterprise managed network service providers and network operators.
Vendor evaluations incorporate empirical data, market observations from ISG advisors, and customer experience (CX) metrics gathered from enterprise clients.
Participating service providers are evaluated on operational capabilities, technological innovation, MEF alignment, and sustainability features embedded in their delivery frameworks.
Industry Quotations and Statements
According to officials at ISG, enterprise networks have transitioned from standard utility infrastructure into strategic digital assets.
"Enterprise networks have become the foundation of digital business as applications, users, data and workloads are distributed across multiple physical locations and cloud environments," the firm stated in an official announcement. "To meet evolving business requirements under these conditions, organizations are adopting more flexible operating models that combine automation, AI-assisted operations, cloud connectivity and experience assurance."
Why It Matters
For enterprise technology executives, chief information officers (CIOs), and IT procurement teams, selecting appropriate managed network service providers directly impacts operational agility, data security, and long-term technology expenditures.
The findings from the ISG Provider Lens™ report provide enterprise decision-makers with objective, data-driven benchmarks to evaluate vendor capabilities, renegotiate service contracts, or identify new managed service partners. For IT service vendors and telecommunications carriers, inclusion and positioning within ISG quadrant reports offer third-party validation that influences enterprise sourcing decisions globally.
Key Facts at a Glance
Study Launch Date: July 2026, with full report publication scheduled for December 2026.
Research Scope: Covers managed network transformation, Network as a Service (NaaS), and managed enterprise connectivity solutions across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Evaluating Body: Information Services Group (ISG), a Nasdaq-listed technology research and advisory firm.
Core Methodology: Combines vendor surveys, advisor real-world practitioner insights, and enterprise customer experience (CX) survey data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the ISG study on enterprise managed network service providers?
The study independently evaluates and benchmarks vendor capabilities across managed network operations, cloud connectivity, and Network as a Service (NaaS) models to guide enterprise IT buyers in selecting sourcing partners.
When will the ISG Provider Lens report be published?
The research findings are scheduled to be published in a series of regional and global reports in December 2026.
How are service providers evaluated in this study?
ISG evaluates service providers using empirical market data, survey responses from nearly 200 vendors, ISG advisor real-world observations, and direct enterprise customer experience feedback.
Which geographic regions are covered in the research?
The study covers the global enterprise managed network services market, with specific regional reports examining offerings across North America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: Information Services Group Official Press Release | Business Wire Press Announcement
