The pandemic has changed the world we live in, and we all needed to adapt to the new reality. Some businesses struggle to survive, while others struggle to keep up with the increased demand.
Telecom companies have become the bedrock for many businesses to recover in 2021. They can help us live, work, and do business more effectively using advanced wireless technologies (e.g., 5G), edge computing, IoT, and more.
“We believe that the move to next-generation networking has the potential to transform how industries operate—creating competitive advantage and unlocking new opportunities for innovation.” - Kevin Westcott Vice-chairman, US Tech, Media & Telecom leader Deloitte LLP
So, what are the hottest telecom industry trends for 2021? Do you need to implement them? Let’s find out.
Latest trends in telecom sector in 2021
The value of mobile and online communication has never been greater. However, telecoms now face a number of challenges such as high load on their systems and security risks. To both address the challenges and benefit from innovations, they embrace new tech trends such as 5G, IoT, big data, and cloud, and more.
So, let’s view the emerging trends in the telecom industry in more detail.
Telecom industry trend #1: 5G
5G has been perceived with a considerable deal of controversy. This fact, however, does not undermine the importance of 5G in telecom nowadays.
With the technology, businesses will get real-time insights unprecedented before and total control over their products, services, and assets.
5G also allows telecom and other businesses to transform how they operate and deliver their services. Technology can revolutionize all industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and others.
No wonder that 5G is expected to generate $700B in economic value, according to the GSMA. However, it is no longer enough for telecom to merely provide a network—they must bring together all of the capabilities. This process often involves integrating 5G with edge computing and IoT devices (e.g., sensors).
This brings us to the next telecom industry trend, namely the Internet of Things.
Telecom industry trend #2: Internet of Things
The Internet of Things or IoT in telecom industry and others now helps businesses meet urgent needs. For instance, with the help of IoT, it has become possible to provide SIM card-enabled connectivity between devices at emergency health centres or in largely unstaffed factories powered by robots.
Future of IoT in telecom and other industries
The demand for IoT in telecom sector and other industries will continue to grow in 2021. Healthcare, manufacturing, and retail will benefit from this technology the most. 5G enables high speed and low latency of IoT devices, thus makes them exchange data almost instantly in real-time. Telecoms will have to expand and upgrade their networks to keep up with the growing need.
IoT use case in telecom industry: Big Data analytics platform powered by IoT and ML for leading telecom
Our client is a large telecom that wants to build its own 5G network. As a part of this ambitious project, they are developing a new product from scratch - an IoT Data Processing Platform that will collect data from multiple IoT sources (e.g., devices, sensors, GPS).
N-iX is responsible for the end-to-end development of the new product, from idea to production. In coordination with the client, we are leading the project management, including project scope and risk management.
The project started at the beginning of 2020. So far, we have integrated the system with the client's private cloud and built a pluggable architecture, which comprises microservices. Also, we developed an API that allows users to add or remove components at runtime.
Apart from 5G, IoT is closely connected to edge computing. So, now let’s view this emerging trend in telecom industry in more detail.
Telecom industry trend #3: Edge computing
ABI Research predicts that the synchronization of edge servers with telecommunications infrastructure will represent a $54 billion opportunity in three years. Moreover, according to IDC, 45% of IoT-generated data will be stored, processed, and analyzed at the edge of networks by 2023.
There are many reasons for it—the first and foremost — emergence of new business models. For instance, automated vehicles or remotely operated surgical robotics rely heavily on optimal connectivity and low latency levels. It is critical for such devices that data is transmitted in real-time and actions can be taken instantly. Thus, companies implement edge computing to achieve as low a latency as possible.
Edge computing means moving the computation away from data centers to the edge of the network. This, in turn, means that smart objects, mobile phones, or network gateways provide services on behalf of the cloud.
What’s more, edge computing allows to speed up the processing of real-time data collected and transmitted through connected devices.
When it comes to data processing and analysis, there is a long-lasting telecom industry trend, namely AI, ML, and data analytics. Let’s view it in more detail.
Telecom industry trend #4: AI, ML
The next-generation wireless networks use data science and ML to predict peak traffic and enhance network capability. Data analytics through machine learning and artificial intelligence allow telecoms to boost network performance and cut network cost through automation.
What’s more, telecoms expand and become more complex. As a result, there is an emerging trend in telecom industry: issues with network performance and maintenance. 5G and IoT, in turn, only make the network more complex. Thus, telecoms can no longer monitor and maintain their networks without data analytics through AI and ML.
Big data analytics for an in-flight Internet provider
Gogo is a provider of in-flight Internet that has over 20 years of experience as well as 1,000+ employees. This client has established a strategic partnership with N-iX to enhance the operation of the equipment and ensure the high speed of the in-flight Internet.
To do so, together with our client, we migrated their data solutions to AWS and shut down its costly on-premises infrastructure. Also, our team has built a unified AWS-based data platform that collects and aggregates data and can process up to 3 TB of streaming data a day.
Using data science and machine learning algorithms, we developed models for predicting failures of satellite antennas as well as antennas health monitoring. This solution gives the reasoning behind each recommendation.
For instance, we identified that antifreeze liquid gets inside the antenna and affects its performance after a couple of flights. So, the client added a layer of protection from the fluid.
Thus, the solution allows our client to significantly reduce operational costs on penalties to airlines for the bad performance of Wi-Fi services. What’s more, the no-fault-found rate was reduced by 75%. As a result, Gogo can save costs on needless removal of equipment for servicing.
Predictive analytics allows predicting the failure of antennas 20-30 days in advance. Also, it ensures servicing of the in-flight equipment at the most suitable time.
Telecom industry trend #5: cloud and microservices
Telecoms need to process numerous requests and transactions, as well as to enhance their services with new operational capabilities. Microservice architecture can help telecom address both these needs. So, no wonder that microservice architecture has become one of the latest telecom trends in telecom sector.
Migrating to microservices means breaking down complex monolithic architecture into smaller, more manageable units.
Here are the benefits that telecoms can achieve with microservices.
In telecom, microservices are applied in three main areas: business support systems (BSS), operations support systems (OSS), and network management.
Digital transformation in telecom powered by microservices, cloud, data, and omnichannel
Lebara is a European MVNO with operations in eight countries.
To ensure scalability, high performance, and maintainability, Lebara decided to migrate its solutions from on-premises to the cloud. To avoid the vendor lock-in and have more flexibility, our client chose to follow the multi-cloud strategy and chose two cloud providers - AWS and Azure. N-iX has led Lebara’s cloud transformation and development of scalable, easy to maintain, and cost-efficient cloud solutions.
First, our specialists worked on building the microservices on AWS. Our DevOps experts designed and developed a fully automated CI/CD pipeline in AWS.
Then, during 2015-2016, our professionals contributed to the migration from on-premises to Azure. To ensure a clear and automated CI/CD process, we designed and developed a fully automated CI/CD pipeline in Azure.
Further, we migrated from Azure Service Fabric to Azure Kubernetes Services, which involved migration from Windows to Linux to save costs.
Wrap-up
Telecoms have an opportunity to play a major part in the businesses’ recovery from COVID-19. They shape a new reality for companies leveraging the strength of advanced wireless technologies. This shift to next-generation networking has the potential to change how industries operate.
Why choose N-iX for adopting telecom technology trends?
- N-iX has robust expertise in telecom due to our long-lasting cooperation with global telecoms, such as Lebara, Gogo, MASMOVIL, and others;
- We have 2,200+ skilled experts on board that deliver solutions in a wide array of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, healthcare, fintech, and more;
- The company has delivered successful projects in such tech domains as big data, cloud, AI and machine learning, embedded systems, Internet of Things, etc.;
- N-iX boasts profound cloud expertise: the vendor is a Select AWS Consulting Partner, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, and a Google Cloud Partner;
- N-iX has achieved the AWS Kinesis Designation;
- N-iX has strong presence on the US market partnering with numerous US industry leaders such as Gogo, Fluke Corporation, Office Depot, Seeking Alpha, TuneIn and many others;
- N-iX ensures the high-security level on each project: we comply with the key Infosecurity regulations, including PCI DSS, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, HIPAA law, and GDPR.
