Digital disruption has become the new norm, as rapid technological advancements and new market entrants redefine every aspect of the telecom industry. From network infrastructure to content delivery and access channels, no facet remains untouched.
With the advent of technologies like 5G and IoT, the telecom industry is witnessing a shift towards AI-enabled solutions, efficient telecommunications network management, and infrastructure sharing. These telecom industry trends will set the pace for business development in 2023.
Let’s cut to the chase and explore the critical telecom industry trends that will shape the path ahead.
5G expansion and adoption
With its potential to unlock huge economic and social gains, 5G stands at the forefront of telecom trends in 2023. Today, there are at least 113 operators offering commercial 5G services across 52 markets, with Vodafone Group PLC leading the way by launching 5G operations in 13 markets worldwide. This global expansion highlights the industry’s commitment to investing in 5G networks to provide greater bandwidth, higher user density, and lower latency.
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence
As the platform economy takes shape, with 5G serving as its foundation, telecom software development and technology frameworks are being leveraged to create value. According to IHS Markit, the global 5G value chain is projected to generate $3.6 trillion in economic output and support 22.3 million jobs by 2035.
The global 5G value chain will generate $3.6 trillion in economic output and support 22.3 million jobs in 2035.
The true potential of 5G applications is yet to be fully realized, but its impact on various sectors is already becoming apparent. From digital factory solutions and omnichannel retail experiences to telemedicine advancements and smarter classrooms, 5G is poised to revolutionize industries and drive innovation across the board.
Internet of Things (IoT) transformation
Among the top trends in telecommunications, the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to shape the landscape with its transformative potential. Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, such as LoRaWAN and NB-IoT, play a pivotal role in enabling the widespread adoption of IoT applications.
LPWAN, including technologies like LoRaWAN, optimizes device power consumption, system capacity, and spectrum efficiency. LoRaWAN, supported by the nonprofit LoRa Alliance and recognized by the Telecommunications Standardization Sector, has experienced significant growth, particularly in Europe, where it has reached a remarkable 66% increase over the past three years. Ideally suited for various use cases, LoRa enables devices to communicate within a range of five to ten kilometers, making this technology suitable for both urban and rural environments.
However, it’s important to note that LoRaWAN requires an intelligent network infrastructure to operate optimally, as physical obstacles can hinder data transmission. Nevertheless, investing in LoRaWAN is compelling for urban areas while offering cost advantages for communications service providers (CSPs) and device manufacturers, as it operates on an unlicensed basis.
LoRa, compared to other technologies
Another noteworthy LPWAN technology is Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), which simplifies IoT deployment through mechanical design innovations and improved internet security. NB-IoT is used in ultra-low-power and long-range industrial, scientific, and medical sub-GHz spectrum applications.
As IoT connectivity and applications continue to evolve, there is parallel growth in the number of IoT devices and the expansion of network infrastructure to support their seamless integration. These new telco trends in IoT connectivity, coupled with advancements in LPWAN technologies, contribute to the rapid growth and adoption of IoT in various sectors.
IoT remains a vital component of current trends in telecommunications, driving innovation and transforming industries. LPWAN technologies like LoRaWAN and NB-IoT, along with the growth of IoT devices and network infrastructure, enable IoT to achieve its full potential, paving the way for a connected and intelligent future.
Edge computing and cloud services
In 2023 and beyond, edge orchestration powered by edge cloud and mobile edge computing (MEC) is emerging as a cornerstone of the telecom industry, reflecting telecom industry trends in the next decade. With the progressive deployment of 5G networks, the number of central and allocated cloud-edge sites is multiplying, enabling the transformative power of edge computing.
This integration brings immense benefits to industries such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), industry 4.0, and AR/VR, allowing companies to leverage increased bandwidth and reduced latency. However, effective edge orchestration, which requires the real-time correlation of multiple network domains, infrastructure, and devices, can be complex and challenging. This is where telecommunications consulting services play a crucial role in guiding organizations through the intricacies of edge orchestration and ensuring optimal performance.
Despite the challenges, such as managing the complexities of distributed infrastructure, edge computing paves the way for a more balanced operational expenditure (OpEx) model, with impressive use cases like a 98.5% reduction in the total cost of ownership of cloud infrastructure in the automotive industry.
Artificial intelligence in the telecom industry
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to disrupt industries worldwide, and in line with telecommunications industry trends in 2023, the telecommunications sector is no exception. Telecom service providers are proactively leveraging the power of AI and intelligent automation to drive innovation, improve customer experiences, and enhance operational efficiencies.
Source: GSMA
Machine learning techniques are already being employed to automate processes, accelerate decision-making, and improve overall service quality. As we move into 2023, AI solutions in telecom will continue to evolve, aiming to achieve greater network automation and complete process automation, from site deployment to service provisioning.
The advanced analytical capabilities of AI, along with other emerging technologies in the telecom industry, enable operators to build highly intelligent networks, forecast network traffic, optimize performance, and proactively address network errors, resulting in an improved customer experience.
BSS/OSS modernization and a shift to microservices
The telecom industry in 2023 is witnessing a notable trend that revolves around the increased focus on BSS/OSS modernization and a shift towards microservices. This transformation is crucial in improving operational and business support systems, as it necessitates the transformation of these systems into standardized, open, and flexible architectures. To achieve these objectives, embracing a microservices approach coupled with DevOps practices has emerged as the most effective strategy.
By adopting a microservices-based architecture, telecom operators can effectively break down their complex IT infrastructure into individual components that are easily manageable. This architectural approach, in line with current trends in telecommunications, brings forth a multitude of benefits, including enhanced flexibility, scalability, accelerated innovation, faster time-to-market for new services, simplified maintenance, effortless customization, and seamless integration with third-party services. The adoption of microservices empowers telecom companies to attain greater business agility, future-proof their systems, and ultimately deliver exceptional customer experiences.
With a focus on BSS/OSS modernization and a shift towards microservices, telecom operators are positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation. They are leveraging the potential of cutting-edge technologies to optimize their operations, improve service delivery, and meet customers’ evolving needs. The adoption of microservices signifies a paradigm shift in the telecom industry, enabling companies to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market landscape.
The telecom industry’s dedication to BSS/OSS modernization and the adoption of microservices showcases telecom providers’ commitment to excellence. By embracing these telecommunications trends, operators can achieve remarkable improvements in operational efficiency, service quality, and customer satisfaction. As the industry continues to evolve, telecom companies that embrace these transformative approaches will undoubtedly gain a competitive edge and thrive in the dynamic telecommunications ecosystem.
Network disaggregation and virtualization
The ever-increasing adoption of connected devices, applications, and services by consumers has prompted telecom operators to rethink their architectural paradigms and embrace the latest trends in the telecom industry, including network disaggregation and virtualization.
In 2023, software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) are emerging as transformative telecom trends. SDN separates the control plane from the data plane, enabling dynamic network configuration, more efficient resource utilization, and enhanced network agility. NFV allows operators to abstract network functions from proprietary hardware and manage them as software modules, enabling the creation of complex IT applications.
SDN and NFV offer numerous advantages over traditional networks, such as increased flexibility and agility, reduced capital and operational expenditures, simplified configuration, and freedom from vendor lock-in.
Cybersecurity and privacy
In 2023, network operators face the dual challenges of protecting against cyber threats and navigating market turbulence. Cybersecurity remains a top priority, with hackers, corporate espionage, and user vulnerabilities posing significant risks. Telecom operators, as backbone infrastructure providers, are prime targets due to the sensitive data stored on their networks.
To ensure resilience, operators must fortify their systems against potential vulnerabilities arising from IoT architecture, uneducated users, and third-party partnerships. This requires enhanced threat detection, incident response methods, and prevention measures. As part of current trends in the telecommunications industry, many companies are leveraging emerging technologies such as the blockchain to enhance security, reduce costs, and generate revenue from state-of-the-art services.
In the dynamic telecom landscape, safeguarding against cyber attacks and ensuring privacy are essential for maintaining a robust and trusted business. By prioritizing comprehensive security measures and leveraging innovative technologies, operators can protect sensitive data, earn customers’ trust, and stay ahead in an increasingly digitized world.
Enhanced customer experience
In the dynamic realm of telecommunications, delivering an exceptional customer experience has transitioned from being desirable to indispensable. Recognizing the pivotal role it plays in their success, telecom companies are wholeheartedly embracing a customer-centric approach, aligned with emerging trends in the telecommunications sector. By placing personalization and customization at the forefront of their strategies, operators can effectively cater to their customers’ unique needs and preferences, fostering loyalty and satisfaction.
At the heart of this customer-centric revolution lies the power of data analytics. Telecom operators are leveraging advanced analytics techniques to extract valuable insights into customer behavior, preferences, and patterns. Armed with this invaluable knowledge, operators can design and deliver tailored offerings that resonate with individual customers, proactively address issues or concerns, and drive meaningful customer engagement. By harnessing the capabilities of data analytics, telecom operators can elevate the overall customer experience, anticipate evolving needs, and forge enduring relationships through seamless, personalized interactions.
Furthermore, the transformative potential of data analytics extends beyond individual interactions. Telecom operators can leverage these insights to identify broader market trends, predict customer demands, and optimize their service offerings accordingly. By embracing data-driven decision-making, telecom companies can proactively identify opportunities, fine-tune their strategies, and stay one step ahead of the competition.
In this rapidly evolving landscape, telecom operators must constantly adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of their customers, keeping up with emerging trends in the telecommunications sector. The integration of data analytics into their operations empowers telecom providers to make informed decisions and tailor their services to align with customer expectations. This customer-centric paradigm not only enhances the overall experience but also cultivates brand loyalty, ultimately translating into long-term business success.
Delivering an exceptional customer experience has become a cornerstone of the telecom industry. By embracing a customer-centric approach and leveraging the power of data analytics, operators can unlock unparalleled insights and tailor their services to meet individual needs. This transformative shift enables telecom companies to differentiate themselves in a competitive market, foster customer loyalty, and thrive in the digital era.
Telcos’ evolving challenges: meeting users’ data demand
The ever-increasing appetite for content among users, reflecting current trends in the telecom industry, is set to reach new heights, with an anticipated average data consumption of 19 GB per user per month in 2023. Let’s delve into the challenges that lie ahead.
Data quality: With a growing range of data sources, the ability to profile users and target them with personalized content is expanding. However, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of data inputs while creating coherent user profiles is becoming increasingly critical. Doing so requires data cleansing, transformation, and enrichment tools, as well as reconciliation and mediation techniques.
Private data anonymization: As telcos migrate to the cloud, protecting private and sensitive user data (such as KYC profiles, addresses, billing details, geolocation updates, and payment histories) becomes paramount. Compliance with regional regulations like the GDPR necessitates anonymization. For this, tools like AWS Analytics, Amazon Athena, or IBM’s Trūata prove valuable. However, challenges arise during the migration process, especially with technology stack transitions, necessitating custom development and rigorous testing.
Data governance: With an influx of users and an expanding array of software accessing and modifying vast amounts of data, coherent data governance solutions are crucial. These solutions define and uphold standards and policies for data collection, storage, and processing. Examples include Collibra, Reltio, AWS’s Zaloni, Azure governance features, Google’s Dataplex, and BigQuery, all aimed at providing robust data governance capabilities.
Meanwhile, telcos can leverage data insights to enhance their business operations and stay ahead of emerging trends in the telecommunications industry. OpenNet, now part of Amdocs, aids telcos in revenue mapping, subscriber geolocation, competitor benchmarking, and gaining valuable insights on coverage and demand, all while prioritizing the anonymization of customer data.
By addressing these challenges head-on, telcos can navigate the ever-changing landscape, meeting users’ demands and unlocking the true potential of data-driven insights.
Global telecom market KPIs: Five-year forecast
Unlocking the efficiency of a telco provider’s business in the dynamic and evolving telecom landscape requires measuring the right key performance indicators (KPIs). Drawing insights from Analysis Mason’s comprehensive five-year forecast of telecommunication industry trends, we have identified crucial KPIs that can serve as benchmarks for measuring business performance in the coming years. These indicators provide valuable insights into the financial health, operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and market competitiveness of telecom operators. By leveraging these KPIs, telcos can navigate the ever-changing environment with greater precision and strategic decision-making.
Source: Analysis Mason, Global telecoms market: trends and forecasts 2021– 2026
Bottom line
CSPs will no longer just be connectivity providers but will transform into digital technology companies in 2023 and beyond. The growth in mobile data traffic is projected to reach 21% CAGR between 2022 and 2028.
However, not only the form of telecommunications is changing — the principles are too. Emerging trends like edge orchestration, 5G SA rollouts, federated cloud, FWA and PON growth, and many more will change the telecommunications landscape.
Stay tuned for upcoming trends to comfortably navigate telecom industry changes and reap the benefits of wise decisions.
Reach out to enjoy a competitive advantage with the right mix of new technology in telecommunications in 2023 and beyond.
