Telecommunications Trends for 2020
We’ve got regular contributor Nick Rojas with a post today:
Technology and telecommunication advancements are playing a key role in keeping millions of workers employed while the world reacts to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to telecommunication infrastructure and equipment, many people can keep their jobs and work from home during these uncertain times.
However, for as far as telecommunications has come, there are further innovations on the horizon. Some telecommunication trends for 2020 will impact the everyday consumer while other changes may arrive largely unseen by the general population. As we look to the future of 2020 and beyond, several telecommunications advancements are expected to greatly impact our world in a myriad of ways.
5G Network
Most of the world is currently using 4G networks, but 5G networks are being worked on with the hope of an initial launch in 2020. 5G will bring many advancements and improvements with the expectation that 5G will replace 4G over time as infrastructure is built and service providers refine their 5G plans.
5G is expected to improve latency and date rates while connecting hundreds of additional devices at a time than 4G. Not only will 5G be better than 4G, but more people can use 5G at the same time without service interruptions. It is not known how far 5G can be pushed with new services, but as 5G becomes available, we are bound to see new creation maximizing the new and improved network.
A large scale roll-out of 5G networks is expected to begin in 2020. Major telecom companies have been promoting the switch to 5G for years, but only now does it seem like 5G will arrive in the next few years. There is still no hard launch date from any major carrier, but talks from CES 2019 indicate we may have 5G in our homes before long.
The European Union’s 5G plan aims to have 5G coverage for all major railways and roads by 2025, but a lot can happen in 5 years. Keep an ear out for announcements from major carriers to gauge when 5G could be coming to your area.
Telecom Companies Potentially Buying Less Real Estate
As 5G comes closer to release, telecom companies will be buying up land to construct network infrastructure. Many people never consider where their network signals come from, but telecom companies have strategically bought land to ensure their network coverage is consistent. Telecom companies are some of the largest players in the real estate world. From towers to transmitters, telecommunication infrastructure has to go somewhere and there is a lot of ground to cover.
However, telecom companies are starting to adjust their methods and are slowly consolidating their network. The UK’s Everything Everywhere plan saw 27% of all telecom sites close and 40% of IT services moved to the cloud instead of physical servers. Some telecom companies will continue to buy up real estate to place their infrastructure, but others will embrace modern solutions and save money by not buying land or physical equipment.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been a popular topic in pop culture for years. While we are a ways off from science fiction androids coming to life, artificial intelligence will play an increasingly important role in technology and telecommunications. AI is already used in a variety of industries and the telecom industry will continue to use and expand the use of AI.
Chatbots are powered by AI and have been proven a successful customer service method. The AI chatbot recognizes phrases and questions that determine the chatbot’s response to ensure the customer is sent the correct information. Chatbots are also advanced enough to know when a human employee is needed so the customer can receive proper service. Google showed off AI assistants calling to schedule appointments for human users and while that technology is far from perfect, it is a progressive step towards more complex and capable AI.
Machine learning and AI can also monitor infrastructure or equipment to alert human technicians when a problem presents itself allowing for faster response times. AI can think and react faster than a human can, so entrusting network consistency to an AI may seem scary, but it is more efficient. Many telecom networks rely on AI to self-analyze and self-optimize so network service can stay consistent without direct human intervention.
AI and machine learning programs also excel at data analysis and rapid response. Fraud detection programs use AI to measure new activity against existing trusted activity. Once a computer learns what “normal” behavior looks like, it can quickly flag activity that falls outside the “normal” parameters to catch criminals early and hopefully prevent damages. The telecom industry has always used new technology to further the industry’s reach and capabilities. Trends for 2020 show that technological progress is being made and new services will be within our reach in the coming years. Between the launch of 5G, physical network consolidation, and the continued development of AI, the telecom industry will use the trends of 2020 to inform the future.
Guest author bio
Nick Rojas combines 20 years of experience working with and consulting for small to medium business and a passion for journalism to help readers grow. He writes about technology, marketing, and social media for the aspiring entrepreneur. When Nick is not sharing his expertise, he can be found spending time at the beach with his dog Presto. @NickARojas
