As the world’s economic recovery process goes by, organizations from the telecom sector find new challenges and opportunities in this digitalized and competitive environment. As a result, they are forced to reinvent themselves and this time, big changes are expected to happen. In this article, we get into the five trends in telecom for 2022 shaping this industry.

This endless-seem pandemic has driven the digital adoption and transformation to a higher level. Moreover, the implementation and incremental use of IoT technologies in a relatively short period of time has completely changed the business paradigm in today’s society.

It’s a fact that there is no room for non-innovative, uncreative and uninventive businesses in these upcoming years. Likewise, the importance of 5G network, IoT and IoB, Assets Management or Big Data, amongst others, are transforming consumer’s behavior. In the telecommunications sector, there is a growing trend for MNO’s to carve-out the towercos, obtaining a higher percentage of market share in the telecom industry. A new tendency that is here to stay for a long time.

But to better define what’s happening in the telecom field this year, we have brought a list of five trends in telecom for 2022 that we find useful to adopt for telcos, from fiber deployment required for connectivity to structure calculation.

Stay up-to-date on these changes because they can have a significant impact on your business!

5 trends in the telecom industry that will drive innovation for telcos

1. Fiber deployment required for connectivity

Nowadays, telecommunications companies are augmenting its network capacity and indeed, this fact is becoming one of the most remarkable trends for telcos in 2022.

Hence, fiber optics deployment is entering the largest investment cycle ever. The benefits provided by this astonishing technology can fulfill all customers’ needs and expectations, given that it scores higher than any other broadband technology.

Fiber Broadband Association research reveals more fiber will be deployed in the next five years than all fiber deployment to-date.

With 3 billion internet users in the world, who are looking for higher speed connectivity, innovations such as 5G network, Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Fiber to the Building (FTTB) have amplified the positioning of these network systems. Furthermore, this solution simplifies businesses processes and minimize costs in any sector if used efficiently, as we discussed previously in 2021 telecom trends. Moreover, connections to 5G are about to reach 1.34 billion in 2022, according to an report from CCS insight.

Likewise, fiber deployment, being a key issue in the digital development of territories, provides widespread access for all to very high-speed broadband. Data published by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) shows an uneven deployment of fiber optics among OECD’s member countries.

“When every community can leverage fiber optics for its critical infrastructure, we’ll open endless possibilities for prosperity,” Gary Bolton, President and CEO at the Fiber Broadband Association.

2. IoT with LoRaWAN

So far, we’ve discussed how digitalization can shape telecom’s industry and how important it is to undertake an investment in fiber deployment for telcos. To take a step further, we must focus on how the IoT are changing critical infrastructures using LoRaWAN.

These are the most important IoT trends in 2022:

• Massive IoT deployment: involves a remote monitoring solution for the telecom industry. There’s a tendency of grouping different business areas into a whole single platform to manage assets efficiently. Atrebo has developed TREE, the best solution for telcos’ infrastructure. In addition, this platform can simplify massive IoT deployments.

• IoT Mechanical Design Innovation: embracing innovation and coming up with new UI/UX improved designs as part of the top trends in telecom for 2022.

• IoT Internet Security: as cyberattacks increases every year, IoT devices can be a point of access to sensitive and personal data. As a result, IoT manufacturers are developing multi-layered security procedures to replace standard passwords.

• LPWAN sensors for monitoring air quality: LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) sensors can be used to measure the air quality in enclosed spaces. In this potpandemic world, healthcare is playing an important role, accelerating the advancement of the Internet of things at all levels.

To conclude, LoRaWAN networks have countless benefits – secure bidirectional connections, low power consumption, long communication range, low data rates… – and they’re active in more than 160 countries worldwide. These are the IoT trends we expect to see in 2022 for the telecom industry. As the year 2022 comes to and end, more information about these concepts will appear.

3. Process optimization: machine learning and process mining

Telecom operators are facing a high number of competitors for the same target audience. Additionally, the high overhead expenses associated to the industry makes it even more difficult to survive in this complex market. So, in order to reduce costs, Communication Service Providers (CSPs) are needed to automatically collect data and improve business margins. The integration of AI, together with machine learning and process mining enables to predict and anticipate problems using algorithms that enables to fix issues before they adversely impact customers.

For instance, Atrebo develops Telco Site Rental Savings, a Celonis’s Execution App whose goal is to achieve massive rental optimization process for MNOs and Towercos.

On the other hand, the emergence of 5G and edge applications, and the arrival of the metaverse has increased the need for high-performance telecom networks. There’s no room for relentless connectivity in this new era.

4.  Blockchain Asset Inventory

Blockchain has positioned itself as the base of the digital future and we have no doubt about it. Specifically, it simplifies day-to-day operations in telecom processes, increasing security of information and transactions – enhancing transparency in its supply chain – while reducing operating costs.

According to Report Ocean Research, “the global blockchain in telecom market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 77.9% during 2022 to 2030, reaching $1.37 billion by 2024”. This huge growth is mostly driven by the increasing number of blockchain consortia.

IBM, SAP and Microsoft are key players in this specific market. Atrebo also decided to be part of this technology. Together with Telefónica Tech, we’re digitalizing 200,000 telecom infrastructures with blockchain using TrustOS, a Telefónica blockchain solution that is integrated together with Atrebo’s TREE platform.

5. Structure calculation

Last but not least, a strong and an appropriate tower design is essential for the safety and durability of communication towers. A growing trend for telecom in 2022 is the optimization of tower sites deployments and structures. From the design and analysis of complex communication systems to ensure compliance with industry design codes. A great solution to build-up engineering integrity.

In this scenario, we can highlight the capability of TREE’s inventory model for design, calculation and analysis of structures using an innovative 3D model which makes possible to offer the ultimate solution. 

Closing remarks

To sum up, this year we expect telecom sector to get into a massive business digitalization. The implementation of IoT solutions into business processes will definitely be a major development, not to mention the rise of Telcos’ carve-out and the high fiber investment.

According to research, the global telecom services market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%, reaching $2,467.01 billion by 2028.

To remain competitive in the future, Telcos must take initiative and innovate to offer the best solutions for this ever-changing world. But, would it be enough with 5G? Everyone’s turning their attention to the metaverse which involves 6G, Wifi 6 and edge computing. A more immersive world is about to arise and telecom companies will be a key player!