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 dots—linking 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, today’s 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 doesn’t 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 Gartner’s hybrid WAN prediction might be coming to fruition. At Tata Communications, for example, hybrid WAN is a key component of its network fabric—one 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 journey—turning 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. “It’s not just about solving today’s challenges—it 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.
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