Top 2017 Telecom Trends (And What They Mean for Your Business)
As 2017 approaches, now is the time to consider what is ahead for the telecom industry. Understanding predicted trends and what they may mean for your business can help you better anticipate important changes or shifts in the industry. By staying ahead of the curve, you can work to adopt new technologies and find the right telecom services for your business to promote growth and success in the new year.
Telecom Trends for 2017
Though there is no way to say for sure what 2017 will bring, we can work to predict telecommunications industry trends in the year to come. Here are just a few of the telecom trends that may impact your business in 2017:
5G development will increase.
In the new year, 5G development is set to continue and even increase as the telecom industry starts laying the groundwork for 5G networks. Many telecom companies across the globe have already developed 5G architecture, and many more are working to do the same. In addition, there will also be continued interest in 5G development from other industries such as transportation and energy as more and more industries are starting to see the potential that 5G has to transform the way they deliver services and goods.
Many of the companies that have already started developing 5G architecture are now aiming to start field testing in 2017. This means that the new year may provide one of the first opportunities for commercial offerings during widespread 5G trials.
Mobile connectivity will continue to outpace hardline connectivity.
Even when landline connectivity is an option, more people globally will opt for mobile connectivity. This is because mobile is often more useful, less expensive, and more convenient than hardline connectivity.
As we move into 2017, this trend will continue with more people opting for mobile. Businesses that want to remain competitive in the global marketplace will need to consider the implications of this trend. As more consumers worldwide move toward mobile, businesses will need to respond with more mobile-friendly (or even mobile-first) communications. This not only impacts direct communication but also marketing and advertising techniques.
There will be more holistic network security.
In 2016, there were many data breaches and network compromises that made it clear that network operators need to start protecting more than just the data transfers. In later 2016, more network operators started introducing business-wide encryption as they realized that their software-defined infrastructure is as vulnerable to attacks as the data transferred over their systems.
In 2017, we will start to see more holistic network security. This is important in light of EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Network operators need to deploy their GDPR solutions by early 2018 to ensure compliance.
Now that you know what you might expect from the telecommunications industry in 2017, it is time to start planning for the new year. If you need help deciding which telecommunications products and services are right for you, we would love to help. Contact us today for more information about how your business may be impacted by these telecom trends.
