The expanding future of telecom

Tempered by the ever-changing nature of end users, shifting market dynamics and the introduction of new services, devices, platforms and business models, the telecom market is undoubtedly evolving. So what’s next for an industry that has already changed dramatically over the years?

One of the biggest changes, and one we have already seen starting to take shape, is the impact of mobility. As the fastest growing segment, mobile is set to be dominant by 2014 due to the likes of Smartphone penetration and mobile data traffic.

Along those lines, end-to-end IP interoperability for voice and data is expected to accelerate over the next three years, driven by the exponential growth in fixed broadband, 3G/HSDPA and LTE that require greater amounts of bandwidth as end users continue to take advantage of Internet-based services and applications.

Although the migration to an IP interconnect model is inevitable, the winners will be the service providers that validate the commercial model early in the transition process. Future-proof platforms, such as IPX reduce financial and operational risks, enable end-to-end high-quality connections and services, deliver on convergence, and create new, sustainable business models.

The future of telecom also resides in emerging markets. Over the next 10 years, rising demand for data will provide tremendous growth potential for operators that provide both mobile and fixed services in developed markets. Emerging markets will also continue to adopt leapfrog technologies, incubate new business models, and produce intellectual property at increasing rates.

Although the game is changing, the real issue is positioning oneself to succeed, by combining strategic assets and customer relationships with innovations that address these new market opportunities.

About the author:

Christian Michaud
Senior Vice President, Product & Business Strategy
Christian Michaud is the Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Business Development in the Global Voice Solutions Business Unit at Tata Communications. Mr. Michaud is responsible for developing the Business Unit overall strategy as well as leading the product management and business development. Mr. Michaud has over twenty years of experience in international telecommunications, including twelve years with Teleglobe, which was acquired by VSNL in February 2006. Mr. Michaud holds graduate and undergraduate degrees in economics from the Université de Montréal