The Biggest Technology Trends That Will Transform Telecoms In 2020
Recent technological advancements and the current COVID-19 pandemic have put a spotlight on the telecom industry. Millions of people are relying on the telecom industry for support as they work from home and shelter in place. The current telecom industry is experiencing a sudden burst in concurrent users and telecom companies are working to maintain the current service level, but as we move further into 2020 we can expect new transformations within the telecom industry. Advancements like the PI System are already helping shape the future of the industry, but there is more to come in 2020. Here are just a few ways the telecom industry is expected to transform in 2020 and beyond.
Continued Rollout of 5G Network
Telecom companies have been talking about 5G for a while now, but 2020 might be the year we see the rollout of the new network continue to expand to new cities. Launching the 5G network is a massive undertaking for telecom companies, so, understandably, the launch will take multiple years before the coverage is widespread. 5G will not reach its full potential for many years to come, but 2020 is likely the year when more cities will gain access to the improved network. The European Union is aiming to have 5G coverage for all major roads and railways by 2025, but to achieve that goal 5G will have to continue growing beyond its current limited scope. There are already 5G enabled smartphones for sale, but there is not a nation-wide 5G network to connect them to yet. A small list of cities around the world have some form of a 5G network, but the reach of 5G is expected to broaden throughout 2020 and millions of people will reap the benefits.
Once 5G becomes more widespread, millions of people will see the improvements from 4G firsthand. 5G is expected to provide better speeds, lower latency, and the ability to connect more devices at once. These three major upgrades will enable a host of other technologies and industries to push their limits. Industries like VR, AR, IoT, AI, and high-resolution video will all benefit from the power of a 5G network when it finally arrives. The average consumer will see faster load times and fewer issues from crowded networks as 5G relieves some of the common issues we have come to accept with 4G.
Telecom Real Estate
Many people never think about where their Internet and phone connections come from. Hidden among regular buildings and tucked away in less populated areas are towers and transmitters responsible for supplying residents with their telecom connections. When you add up all the various towers and transmitters dotted across the country, the telecom industry becomes one of the largest players in real estate, but this could be changing in the coming years.
While 5G will require new towers and transmitters, the telecom industry is adopting the new trend of network consolidation. Telecom companies are consolidating their networks and reducing their real estate presence to great effect. The UK decommissioned over 7,300 telecom sites and moved 40% of IT services to the cloud with the creation of the Everything Everywhere plan. Companies that choose to consolidate enjoy lower equipment and real estate costs without compromising the quality of their services. A recent study showed that network consolidation can work in many countries, not just the UK.
Working Towards Green Telecommunication
Sustainability is a major concern among the telecom industry. Energy consumption from telecom equipment is a topic of discussion, but the bottom line of the industry must also be taken into account. Network sharing or network mergers are one way to reduce the industry’s overall energy consumption, but it comes with the downside of reducing the number of separate companies in the field and potentially creating a breeding ground for monopolies. Thankfully, new energy-efficient equipment is making its way onto the market and telecom companies are ensuring their equipment is properly optimized while reusing functional equipment to lessen the industry’s environmental impact. As 5G becomes more prolific, the industry will contribute towards more green projects. 5G will be instrumental in creating new green technologies or improving existing technological systems so they are more eco-friendly. A combination of efforts across the telecom industry will lead to green improvements over time so long as sustainability remains a common topic of discussion and companies commit to lessening their environmental impact.
The telecom industry is used to change. As new technologies surface and the world continues to evolve, the telecom industry will be forced to adapt. The telecom trends for 2020 include 5G, network consolidation, and a push for eco-friendly practices, but these trends are only the beginning. As we continue into the new century, the trends in 2020 will set the groundwork for future trends and transformations.
