Telecoms Trends for 2021
In the next decade, technology will transform telecoms in incredible ways. AI, digital platforms, cyber-attacks and other threats will change the telecoms landscape; here are some ways the telecoms industry will develop.
(AI) – Artificial Intelligence
Telecoms is an industry that will utilise AI in many businesses in the future. VA’s (virtual assistants), chatbots, and AI within telecommunications companies can and will further improve customer service and satisfaction overall. AI is imperative for the optimisation and predictive support of telecommunications companies’ networks. Additionally, through predictive analytics, AI makes it feasible for telecoms to gather actionable business insights from the amounts of data they collect every day.
(IoT) – Internet of Things
The telecoms industry allows internet devices connectivity; it is one of the most significant IoT market players with everyday items connected to the internet. IoT technology aids telecoms to monitor data stations and data centres remotely. This technology almost guarantees minimal amounts of downtime for the network. Since telecoms effectively provide IoT infrastructure, the industries are uniquely positioned to develop and deliver their IoT services. As the technology results in more devices on the network, there are more chances for security and privacy breaches to occur, so telecoms are required to plan and develop protection for that. While there are still numerous concerns around what the conversion to IoT will have for telecoms, there’s little doubt that it will upset the telecoms industry.
The rise of Big Data
It’s undeniable that telecommunications companies collecting and generating volumes of data from mobile devices and apps are expected to continue to increase through the 2020s. Still, it will be the businesses that use it to their competing advantage that will remain. Telecoms companies and service providers need to ensure that their networks can efficiently move amazing amounts of data through their networks and support new technologies. Telecoms also need to address the unique security challenges that have arisen with new technology that uses their networks. Ultimately, the data that telecoms accumulate can be analysed to enhance customer service, determine and evaluate new products, and monitor and optimise the network. When assessed and acted upon, massive data can help telecoms build a more substantial business.
5G Rollout
5G is promising to bring some exciting changes. The European Union’s 5G response plan includes constant 5G coverage by 2025 for railways and main roads. 5G can support an additional 100x boost in connected devices per each unit area, 5G will offer ultra-low latency, advanced data rates and allow slicing of the network. These pave the way for innovative new services, network operation and a great customer experience for telecoms operators.
5G will change telecom’s role: telecoms companies will become technology service providers and distributors. This change will require telecoms to engage with governments, enterprise customers and modify their sales plan to help customers leverage the potential of 5G.
Cloud Computing and telecoms trends
Cloud computing’s pay-per-use service model supports telecoms in introducing unique services, decreasing their costs, and adapting to market demands more effectively. The cloud itself grants economies of scale and brings cost-effectiveness to telecoms. Not only can telecoms become a cloud service provider, but they can manage the cloud themselves. When telecoms adopt cloud technology and shift essential business functions to the cloud, they benefit from its effectiveness.
Cyber Security and Resilience
We take for granted the services allowed by telecoms including phone and video calls, email and messaging until we encounter an outage and realise how reliant we are on those services.
Telecoms companies store vast amounts of sensitive data on complex networks that serve as gateways to other businesses. Because they develop and conduct critical infrastructure, telecoms are increasingly a victim of cybercriminals. From direct cyberattacks such as a distributed denial-of-service to obscure attacks such as malware, telecoms need to defend themselves and prepare for the future of 5G and the security hurdles that will represent. Its includes have the proper IT infrastructure in place and the expertise and processes to help resiliency when attacked.
Currently, there is an opportunity for growth in the industry’s response to a cyberattack. Even false claims of attack can ruin a telecom’s reputation and create a considerable business impact in time and money spent to respond.