I believe that service providers will need to continue preparing their network infrastructure for future contingencies, as traffic levels have remained high even without pandemic restrictions. In this regard, I anticipate increased investment over the next decade in distributed cloud infrastructure at the network edge, bringing content and computing power closer to end users. Similarly, I believe that the accelerated deployment of technologies like 5G and next-generation FTTH will significantly improve access and connectivity in rural, remote, and underserved areas.
Service providers must have access to detailed, real-time insights into their networks, fully correlated with internet traffic data, to gain a holistic view of their network, services, and consumption. Early, agile, and effective detection of security risks (such as DDoS attacks) and their automated mitigation will be fundamental mechanisms for protecting their infrastructure and services.
5G
It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the medium- and long-term value creation potential of 5G by accelerating digitalization, especially among sectors less advanced in digital technology. In this regard, it is worth noting that the global surge in 5G investments will lead 72% of companies to invest in 5G within the next five years. To capitalize on the vast opportunities of 5G, organizations must begin or intensify their planning now and accelerate business model innovation to remain competitive in a rapidly digitizing global economy. Beyond investment in the technology itself, this transformation will require digitizing operations, processes, and ways of working to fully realize the potential of 5G.
IoT
• The adoption of IoT devices, from smart home security monitoring systems to drones and medical devices, is expected to continue growing as consumers and businesses move to take advantage of the high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and fundamentally new network capabilities enabled by 5G mobile networks. In this context, security becomes especially important. I believe that protecting IoT devices and the connectivity infrastructure that supports them will be a key factor in ensuring the success of digitizing and automating operations and processes in industrial sectors.
