Major trends such as 5G, automation, and edge computing are disrupting the once consistent and predictable communications industry. Here are the big trends to watch in communications this year:
The nation’s largest telecommunications service providers have aggressively built out their 5G networks in recent years to increase their competitiveness as more consumers and businesses demand faster, higher-performance connectivity. I’ve spent a lot of time competing. But telecom giants aren’t the only ones at the forefront of emerging technology. A number of startups are emerging specializing in hot new connectivity options such as private networking, edge computing, and even communications-adjacent products such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE).
Both channel partners and their end customers are focused on digital transformation thanks to trends such as hybrid work. IT infrastructure and the connectivity it relies on are becoming more diverse than ever, with end-users joining corporate networks from home, on the go, or from the office. As a result, the once stable telecommunications sector, the backbone of all IT, has been significantly impacted in recent years.
From 5G and edge computing to automation and SASE, discover the key communications trends impacting industries to watch in 2024.
5G
Predictability is one of the most prominent communications trends of recent years, and will continue to grow in 2024 as service providers continue to build out their 5G network footprints and manufacturers bring more 5G-enabled devices to market. 5G is even bigger. 5G offers significantly faster internet speeds and lower latency compared to previous technologies, and both consumers and business users are familiar with the performance they can expect from his 5G technology.
Bellevue, Washington-based US wireless giant T-Mobile has the largest 5G footprint of any US carrier, with 5G coverage spanning 53.79% of the country. Dallas-based AT&T has 29.52 percent of the U.S. with 5G coverage, while Basking Ridge, N.J.-based Verizon has the largest 5G footprint in the country, according to a report released in December from Service Related Search. It ranks third with 12.77%. WhistleOut.com, an engine that compares phone and internet companies.
automation
Automation is the name of the game for businesses as they seek to do more with less and overcome larger industry trends such as the IT skills gap. Fortunately, many of the largest networking vendors and communications service providers have realized this and are introducing more automation into their products to reduce the burden on their IT teams and improve the performance of their products and networks. We are taking steps to improve our results.
In 2024, automation will likely rely on AI and machine learning (ML) technologies. However, this process must be performed securely, as uncertainty surrounding AI in certain markets is a concern for some companies.
edge computing
Along with 5G, demand for edge computing has increased significantly since 2020, when enterprises needed to do business in new ways and the COVID-19 pandemic caused major changes in network requirements. AI will increasingly be used at the edge, especially as the rise of private 5G networks powers new use cases such as remote inspection, surveillance, and employee safety.
Market and consumer data firm Statista predicts that the number of connected devices will rise from 15.14 billion in 2023 to 17.08 billion in 2024.
private networking
One trend that is becoming increasingly interesting to businesses is the creation of private networks. Private networks can help businesses meet strict security regulations and requirements, and can also help businesses accommodate bandwidth-intensive and AI-based applications that may be sensitive to latency issues. Helpful.
At the same time, enterprise private networking is likely to further increase investments in edge computing. Some service providers are starting to bundle private network connectivity and edge computing solutions with the help of channel partners.
Sase
SASE, which refers to the combination of SD-WAN and security, has become an important enterprise networking technology as companies operate in a distributed or hybrid manner. Many of the largest networking and security vendors in the last few years have realized how important SASE, and the combination of networking and security, is and have worked to develop SASE strategies. This is a pattern that will continue among networking and security incumbents as well as standalone SASE specialists who continue to develop their own platforms.
According to technology research firm Gartner, the SASE market will grow 35% in 2023 to approximately $9 billion. The research firm expects the SASE market to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 30 percent through 2027.
