In the telecommunications world, each new year presents new opportunities, challenges, and possibilities. The businesses aiming to have the most success will do so by discovering the best technology strategy.
It’s never too early to begin anticipating what will arise in such a high-tech space which is ever-evolving, and it’s imperative that business leaders explore all options when it comes to the solutions and services they utilize.
With this in mind, Call One’s executive team joined forces to share their predictions for 2017. In part two of this series they examine the growth potential for business communications technology. (To see part one, click here)
The use of technology varies greatly around the world of business. Even with these differences, the business world needs to prepare for an influx of growth and development of telecommunication technologies. So, where should we anticipate the highest growth potential?
According to Call One’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Derrick Havis, the answer is within business-driven areas that have lagged behind the times. This means we can anticipate growth in geographical locations, business verticals, and technological advancements.
Greater communication accessibility can be anticipated in several Midwest communities, which are currently underserved by telecom providers. One example is northwest Indiana where many rural towns exist without the copper or fiber networks more prevalently seen in larger urban settings.
Another region, such as eastern Tennessee, has large underserved pockets, and some communities are not served at all. This could be due to the prevalence of mountains and lack of in-ground TDM networks. However, other regions do not have these types of geographical challenges and yet still have underserved communities.
Growth is also likely in parts of California such as Trinity and Alpine counties where only 3.08 percent and 15.48 percent of residents have availability to broadband respectively.
While this may be disappointing, it also shows the potential we have to grow our business technology solutions. Havis referenced systems in other countries. He referred to the issues those countries face, such as geographical difficulties and lack of infrastructure, which are similar to portions of the United States. However, they were able to utilize technology in a way that allowed these areas better business technology solutions.
Havis continued by explaining that the investment needed to account for these geographical short-comings can be seen by looking at specific business verticals. “There are certain markets that are more behind the times than others,” said Havis, “and government is number one.”
However, regions and other markets within the U.S. are still poised for high levels of growth.
Ed Wynn, Call One’s Executive Chairman agrees. He believes these regions and markets will see technology transcend geography and demolish those boundaries by 2018 or 2019. Wynn also believes that the governmental vertical has great potential for better business technology solutions, but claims medical applications is where we will see huge leaps. Can governmental and medical fields lead in technology growth? Wynn and Havis both agree with the proper investments it’s almost certain.
None of this progress can occur without technological advancements, particularly with cellular service and 5G wireless systems. Havis pointed out that the speed to deployment with 5G will improve greatly.
“You’re going to see, technology will allow people who are much further behind the times to come to speed that much quicker because of the ability to deploy it via wireless versus the traditional path that incudes billions of dollars of infrastructure”, he said.
Even though these technologies will see incredible developments in the years to come, one area is slated success; battery supply.
Call One’s Chief Executive Officer, Chris Surdenik, believes this is the one technology, which needs to be noted. While others in the business technology industry discuss IPv6, 5G wireless, and network security, Surdenik claims that none of these technologies will matter if high-tech battery supply doesn’t evolve as well.
According to Surdenik, “Battery supply technology has got to keep with these other changes in technology, otherwise this mobile everywhere, mobile anytime type of environment that we’re looking to live in isn’t going to happen.”