| | AUGUST 20198CIOReviewIN MYOPINIONConnectivity is an inseparable part of our daily lives and the telecom industry continues to evolve with the consumers' needs and habits. Today, the industry is faced with a changing revenue stream with the revenue yield on data services continuing to decline as consumers use more and more data, with static or declining monthly bills. Hence, it is critical for the industry to identify rapid investment opportunities across the telecom portfolio--including fifth-generation wireless network technology (5G), Internet of Things (IoT), cross-industry partnerships (such as mHealth and mPayments), as well as a host of other growth opportunities. Below, I summarized the five key trends I expect to impact the telecom industry in the coming year, and how this will affect the overall connected ecosystem. With these trends and others, we expect to see continuous technological developments within, as well as those driven by the telecom sector that continue to transform the enterprise space in a wide range of new and exciting ways. Companies need to be well versed in these trends and need to be prepared to transform accordingly.Trend #1: 5G­the next generation is hereOne of the most anticipated mobile technology platforms, 5G will be the connective tissue for the emerging technologies that rely on telecom, such as IoT, autonomous vehicles, and mobile media. With the sheer number of applications that 5G will support, it will represent a critical impact to the telecom ecosystem and beyond. While the roll out will be completed in the next few years, the foundations will begin to form in 2018. Compared to the earlier wireless technology generations, we expect 5G to have a much greater impact on the economy both in terms of generating jobs and increasing GDP.Trend #2: IoT is the new normalThe telecom ecosystem expects IoT--connected car, home and self--to become a critical engine for future growth. So far, largest US carriers have Craig WiggintonBy Craig Wigginton, Vice Chairman & U.S. Telecom Leader, Deloitte LLPFIVE KEY TRENDS IN TELECOM AND THEIR IMPACT ON BUSINESSES
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