Telecom has seen major changes in the last couple of years, and we’re bound to see these further evolve this new year. In this post, we take a look at the telecom trends to look out for in in 2022.
Continued development and rollout of 5G
The rollout of connections to 5G networks will continue this year despite difficulties associated with the pandemic. In addition, further development in AI and ML will also help accelerate the deployment of 5G networks. AI and ML are essential in automation, and we can expect to see a rapid development of these technologies as companies look to improve and automate their businesses. These technologies provide benefits in areas such as maintenance, automated customer service, and fighting cyber fraud. However, we know that AI and ML require massive amounts of of data collection for telecom apps, systems, etc. This will continue and telecom providers need effective means to handle data in order to expand automation solutions while also mitigating security. This will be a focus area this year so that solution are successfully deployed while also being secure.
IoT in and out of offices
IoT has been changing the way people work and with the influx of remote work associated with the pandemic, this technology has seen and will continue to see improvements. IoT can help create customized workspaces and solutions for all types of companies. By enabling IoT through smart devices, employees are able to work smarter and more securely from home. Most remote work requires internet connected devices such as laptops, webcams, microphones, etc. IoT will shine here by being able to create a smart and secure ecosystem of above-mentioned devices to connect with their cloud service. IoT has also significantly impacted customer service for businesses as it can enhance capabilities of CRM systems. This allows systems to identify and report customer issues while also allowing companies to partake in customer discussions – thus resulting in increased customer communication and ultimately retention.
Changing consumer habits and business models
Customers have completely changed the way the interact with their service providers, and more interactions are online today as a result. End users are more likely to choose a service provider if they offer their services and support online. While many businesses are already modernizing their business models, they will continue to transform operations through digitalization to support changing consumer needs. More businesses will also introduce zero-touch network, which enables a complete digital journey for customers. This will replace all physical touchpoints typically associated with stores or support agents with digital as well as automated ones. This will also offer customers full control over their services, such as subscriptions, installations, support, etc.
M-Commerce
M-Commerce and mobile payments saw a huge rise as a result of Covid-19, which made paper money less desirable transaction option to limit spread of germs. As a result, many companies continue to switch to or only opt for mobile payment solutions and credit card. The reliance on mobile payments and M-Commerce have become prevalent in everyone’s lives, with Apple pay and Google pay being accepted as mainstream payment methods. This trend will continue in 2022 and in turn, businesses need to make sure they have strong cell connectivity to support increased demand that mobile payments have on their network.
