Westcon-Comstor identifies key gaps in channel readiness for AI-driven networking
Research shows opportunity for partners with the right skills to lead new era of transformation, with the UK more confident than other countries
LONDON, UK – 18 November, 2025 – Most UK-based channel partners (57%) say they cannot yet design and deliver AI-ready networking solutions but confidence and capability levels are higher than in other countries, according to new research from global technology distributor Westcon-Comstor.
The multi-country survey of senior decision makers at 500 partners, from managed service providers (MSPs) to value-added resellers (VARs), found that 43% of UK-based respondents currently offer advanced, AI-integrated network services – significantly higher than the global average of 26%.
Readiness gaps
Meanwhile nearly half (46%) of UK partners believe their customers’ current network infrastructures are fully prepared and optimised to support AI workloads.
Again, that makes the UK an outlier compared to the other countries covered by the research – Australia, Singapore, Spain and the UAE. The global average across all five countries was just 33%.
Ahead of the curve
Most UK partners (52%) say they are in the process of developing their AI capabilities.
Just 5% describe themselves as “exploring” AI while offering traditional networking services – a much lower proportion in other countries and set against a global average of 18%.
This suggests that UK partners are ahead of the curve when it comes to integrating AI into their offerings.
Most UK partners report that they are already supporting customers in certain aspects of network transformation such as visibility, security and automation.
Additionally, a majority are already active in areas such as AI-driven network automation (65%) edge computing and distributed data routing (64%) and intent-based networking (52%).
Once again this marks the UK out from the other countries covered by the research, where partners are less likely to be involved in these areas.
Barriers to transformation
The research, part of Westcon-Comstor’s Future Ready programme of channel analysis, offers a partner perspective on the barriers they and their customers face when modernising networks for the AI era, from integration with existing systems to security and compliance.
In addition to these hurdles, end-users reported struggling with internal skill gaps and uncertainty around technology choices – creating a clear opening for partners with the requisite skills and capabilities to step in as strategic advisors.
Growth opportunities
Indeed, partners in the UK and elsewhere are clear that the AI era creates new avenues for growth.
When asked about growth areas in AI-driven networking over the next 12–18 months, 65% of UK respondents cited AI-enhanced network security analytics – making it the single biggest potential driver of new revenues.
Other high-growth opportunities identified by partners include:
- AI-powered network observability and diagnostics (64%);
- Edge-to-cloud data routing and optimisation (59%); and
- Autonomous / self-healing networks (39%).
Generational shift
“Our research shows that, despite some challenges, UK partners are leading the way internationally in AI readiness,” said Rene Klein, Executive Vice President, Europe at Westcon-Comstor. “This confidence puts them in a strong position to seize the significant growth opportunities on offer in AI-led networking as we look to 2026.”
“AI is changing the game, and partners have a rare window to step up as true strategic advisors,” said Patrick Aronson, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Asia-Pacific at Westcon-Comstor. “Customers are hungry for intelligent, adaptive networks. The partners who lean in now, build capability and get closer to the customer will be the ones leading the next wave of growth.”
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Westcon-Comstor PR team
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