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Telecom companies need to embrace the IoT, and that means keeping up with how all these connected devices will impact their services.
Key Takeaways- There will be 64 billion IoT devices by 2026
- 6 IoT trends telecoms should watch:
- 5G network
- Client applications
- Smart offices
- New IoT architectures
- Greater cloud dependence
- The AIoT
1. 5G network
One of the biggest trends for telecom right now is the expansion of the 5G mobile network. 5G has brought faster data transmission, higher network capacity, decreased latency, faster load times, and better bandwidth to the mobile networks that connect smartphones and many other devices. These networks can handle more IoT devices than ever before, limiting downtime because of traffic and congestion issues. This also means new 5G devices are coming onto the scene, including the iPhone 12. Major cellular carriers are already adapting to the change with 5G phones and networks.2. Client applications
With so many IoT devices in the environment, homes, organizations, and cities are becoming smarter. These devices are able to transfer data and communicate with one another, and there are tens of billions of them out there. Telecom companies can thus keep in touch with their customers like never before. Mobile apps allow customers to communicate with companies in real-time, checking their connection or paying a bill or completing a survey. This improves the service customers receive and delivers more valuable insight to help telecom companies keep improving and track how their services are performing from the perspective of the client.3. Smart offices
The modern telecom office has changed drastically over the last year as COVID-19 caused a major shift to remote work. Now that many offices are reopening, they are having to redefine how to keep employees safe and keep teams connected. The IoT is a big part of these considerations. More connected devices means that more data is collected for analysis, employees can stay in touch no matter their location, and office devices are all communicating with each other over the internet. The IoT can make offices more productive and issues can be resolved faster. For example, if a smart printer is having an issue, it will send an automatic notification to a service team member who may be able to resolve the issue from their connected device. Other smart devices in the workplace may include smart lighting and smart climate control systems, so if a light is left on or the heat needs to be turned down after hours, these functions can be controlled from a remote device.4. New IoT architectures
Companies may want to consider building an IoT platform where all the different devices can connect and network managers have more control of their operations. Telecom companies can thus better support the IoT infrastructures of their customers with better-managed service that ensures connectivity, and they can gather and store IoT device data as well. An IoT platform can be paired with an application for the end user so these reports are more accessible.5. Greater cloud dependence
More companies are transferring their programs and applications to the cloud, especially as in-office work has become more uncertain and infrequent over the last year. Storing and managing data in cloud platforms instead of onsite storage solutions can allow telecom companies greater flexibility and scalability for their application delivery and Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions. IoT devices can collect data within these infrastructures, transferring it to other devices and cloud applications for instant analysis and review.6. The AIoT
Many trends in telecom center around both the IoT and artificial intelligence, which has become known as the artificial intelligence of things (AIoT). As a Forbes article states, IoT devices within the infrastructure form a sort of “digital nervous system” with artificial intelligence as the brain. The AIoT comes into play when the entire system, made of up smart devices, can learn from collected data or perform a set of functions. The AIoT essentially means that IoT devices can learn from all the data they’re transferring and gathering. Telecom companies can take advantage of the opportunities provided by the AIoT, including:- Better data analytics
- Better business decision-making
- Continuous IoT system improvement
- Integration of facial recognition or other biometric security systems
- Improved onsite security with smart cameras
- Greater efficiency and productivity
