As we embark on the journey into 2024, the telecom landscape stands at the threshold of a profound transformation:
- In the realm of technology convergence, envision cloud computing, container/microservices architecture edge computing and CI/CD practices blending seamlessly for the 5G crescendo, akin to technological Avengers meeting the demands of the 5G era.
- Anticipate the dynamic duo of automation and AI reshaping network efficiency, redefining user experiences and revolutionizing workforce operations.
- Picture the Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC) taking center stage, offering agility and innovation in the Radio Access Network (RAN), potentially orchestrating a symphony of connectivity.
- Witness the unexpected return of small cells in private networks, guided by the technological prowess of RIC, signaling a strategic move with efficiency and cost-effectiveness at its core.
- In this narrative, sustainability and TCO efficiency share the spotlight, questioning whether the telecom industry can embrace eco-consciousness while enhancing cost-effectiveness.
- Amidst the digital dance, the integration of openness, architectural harmony and API sophistication emerges as the linchpin, performing a tech tango to potentially transform the telecom landscape into a vibrant, efficient ecosystem in 2024.
Join us on this rhetorical journey where curiosity-sparking questions unfold the intriguing enigma of the telecom future.
Here are our seven telecom predictions for 2024:
1. Edge & cloud convergence
In the impending landscape of 2024, the telecommunications sector is poised for a revolutionary fusion of technologies, witnessing the amalgamation of cloud computing, containerized microservices architecture, edge computing and the seamless integration facilitated by continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) practices. This intricate convergence materializes into a cohesive cloud-edge architecture, empowering the deployment of microservices and containers directly at the network’s edge, emphasizing a meticulous focus on latency reduction, which is particularly crucial for real-time applications.
The orchestration of this technological convergence is meticulously automated by implementing CI/CD practices, ensuring swift updates and efficient service deployment. In the 5G realm, dynamic optimization of network slicing will cater to specific application requirements, accompanied by reinforced security measures, encompassing encryption and proactive threat detection, aligning with the distributed nature of services.
As collaboration intensifies across the industry, a concerted effort is underway to define standardized interfaces and protocols, enhancing interoperability. This collaborative convergence optimizes resource utilization and scalability, enabling mobile operators to manage variable workloads efficiently. This transformative shift signifies a paradigm change, endowing telecom operators with heightened agility and responsiveness essential to meet the evolving demands of the future.
In practical application, edge computing takes the forefront to enhance the performance of existing applications like video streaming and online gaming. Simultaneously, cloud computing assumes a pivotal role in the rapid deployment of new applications and services, ensuring cost-effectiveness. The synergy between edge and cloud computing extends its reach to enable novel use cases, including industrial automation, while employing cloud computing to execute AI and ML models, automating processes at the edge
2. Automation and AI implementations for network, end users and workforce
In 2024, the significance of automation and AI in the telecom industry is set to escalate, driven by the imperative to enhance network efficiency and reliability. AI will unfold in three key domains:
Firstly, AI for network automation will empower telecom companies to optimize performance, diminish downtime and elevate service quality. Leveraging RIC technology, network operators can streamline the management of automation and AI, promptly detecting and responding to real-time network issues, thereby diminishing the reliance on manual intervention. This synergy of automation and AI will not only optimize network efficiency and minimize downtime but also facilitate the deployment of advanced applications and services inherent to 5G networks.
Secondly, AI will revolutionize the end-user experience in wireless networks through techniques like machine learning, generating intricate insights into network quality and user interactions. This analysis, conducted across expansive data sets at accelerated speeds, allows telecom companies to deliver superior customer service by promptly resolving issues. AI’s capability to analyze customer data further enables the tailoring of services to individual preferences, behaviors and usage patterns.
Lastly, AI for the telecom workforce will play a pivotal role in enhancing operational efficiency by automating repetitive tasks and offering intelligent insights. From optimizing network infrastructure to reducing operational costs and fostering business agility, AI stands as a cornerstone in elevating the effectiveness of telecom companies’ workforce in the dynamic landscape of 2024.
3. RIC revolution: Shaping the future of Radio Access Networks in 2024
Entering 2024, the telecom landscape anticipates a transformative shift in the Radio Access Network (RAN). The momentum from the 2023 OpenRAN movement promises lucrative opportunities, with traditional and open RAN systems converging. Noteworthy deployments, especially in the U.K. and North America, fueled by government support, signal this imminent shift.
Central to this transformation is the Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC), a pivotal player enhancing RAN programmability, automation, agility, interoperability and innovation. Operating like an app store, the RIC streamlines third-party application integration, with a surge in developers for both xApps (10ms to 1s tasks) and rApps (tasks exceeding 1s).
Infusing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), the RIC is poised to revolutionize RAN intelligence, empowering mobile operators with heightened infrastructure control and ushering in a new era of automation. Anticipated benefits include enhanced asset utilization, novel service introduction and innovation within open ecosystems.
2024 will witness a focused implementation of RIC capabilities, aiming for tangible Return on Investment (ROI). The market’s demand for validated solutions finds resolution through collaborative efforts, with the year ahead marked by technological strides and a profitable integration of RAN into the telecommunications ecosystem.
4. The comeback of small cells for private networks
In 2024, small cells are staging a significant comeback in private networks, addressing the challenge of providing coverage in areas traditionally difficult to reach with macrocells. Their resurgence is attributed to their versatility, finding utility in diverse settings such as buildings, stadiums and indoor venues. Small cells offer a compelling choice for private network operators due to their ease of installation and swift deployment, making them an attractive solution for rapidly evolving connectivity needs. Moreover, their cost-effectiveness, requiring less power and infrastructure compared to traditional macrocells, adds to their appeal. The adoption of Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC) technology plays a pivotal role in this resurgence, enabling more efficient deployment and management of small cells. With the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), network operators can further optimize costs and enhance network performance
Here are the benefits of deploying small cells paired with RIC:
- Advantages Over DAS: Small cells outshine Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) in terms of flexibility, scalability and deployment speed. The modular deployment of small cells accommodates varying capacity needs for enterprises.
- Revenue Opportunity: The deployment of small cells in private networks becomes a lucrative revenue opportunity for mobile operators, maximizing returns on 5G investments.
- Market Growth Projection: According to ABI Research, the revenue forecast for private cellular networks is set to surge from nearly US$7 billion in 2023 to over US$96 billion by 2030, driven by diverse industries such as manufacturing, healthcare and transportation, relying on the high-speed, low-latency connectivity that small cells deliver.
5. Sustainable trends in telecom for 2024
In 2024, the telecom industry is poised to intensify its focus on a dual imperative — cost efficiency and sustainability. This strategic alignment is propelled by the interconnected goals of reducing operational expenses and mitigating environmental impact. Network operators will adopt multifaceted approaches to optimize the total cost of ownership (TCO), encompassing the deployment of sustainable infrastructure and embracing energy-efficient practices. The integration of automation and AI will play a pivotal role, enabling operators to concurrently achieve cost savings and reduce energy consumption. This symbiotic relationship between sustainability and cost efficiency is emblematic of the telecom industry’s commitment to responsible and economically viable practices, ushering in a transformative era where environmental stewardship and financial prudence go hand in hand.
6. TCO through new architectures and partnerships
In 2024, the telecom industry will place heightened importance on total cost of ownership (TCO), emphasizing the need to reduce costs and enhance profitability. Network operators are set to implement diverse strategies to achieve this, focusing on utilizing open components and architectures, consolidating requirements from mobile network operators (MNOs) and certification of open components.
A key avenue for mobile operators to curtail capital expenditures (CAPEX) involves establishing co-investment partnerships with hyperscalers. According to a report by Analysys Mason, operators globally can realize cumulative savings of USD 249 billion between 2017 and 2027 by sharing the capex costs of new network deployments with strategic partners.
Furthermore, operators can explore avenues to optimize their capex by applying artificial intelligence (AI) and automation in network planning, specifically during the configuration and maintenance stages. This strategic approach holds significant promise for driving substantial return on investment (ROI), particularly in light of the ongoing challenges confronting the industry worldwide.
7. Embracing openness: Architectural integration and API integration for brownfield networks
In 2024, the telecommunications sector stands on the brink of a transformative era, with a pronounced focus on operational openness as a strategic imperative. This shift is underpinned by the compelling need to optimize costs and elevate operational flexibility. Operationalizing openness involves:
- Widespread adoption of open components and architectures
- Systematic integration of APIs into brownfield networks
Benefits include:
- Optimization of costs through the use of commercially available components and software, steering clear of proprietary solutions
- Seamless assimilation of new applications and services into existing infrastructures, eliminating the necessity for costly upgrades.
As we conclude our glimpse into the telecom future of 2024, one can’t help but wonder: the stage is set, but which predictions will seize the spotlight, and which innovations will take the lead? Brace yourselves for the unfolding story, where the future holds all the cards and we’re just here to see how it plays out. Is the telecom tale of 2024 destined to be an unwritten book, eagerly awaiting the turning of pages in the hands of time?
