How telecommunications will evolve with changing times

Ooredoo, a leading telecoms company in Qatar, surveyed Web Summit Qatar attendees about the lasting effects of technological advances.

The telecommunications industry is on the up, and – with emerging technologies constantly  transforming how we interact with one another – the sector is set for a massive boom.

In 2022, the global telecommunications market was valued at US$1.8 trillion. By 2030, the market is expected to reach a value of US$2.7 trillion, with an annual growth rate of 5.3 percent. 

These value projections are a result of many factors, including increased demand for high-speed internet services as the world switches from in-person to virtual work, the growing adoption of smart devices, and the increased need for widespread, global connectivity. 

But one of the main factors driving the expansion of the telecoms market is its necessity within other sectors. As more and more industries undergo digital transformation, the need for communications software intensifies.

This was reflected in an Ooredoo survey that saw Web Summit Qatar attendees sharing their opinions on the future of the sector, and on its relationship to technologies and other global industries.

Here are some of the findings.

Much to be gained from telecommunications integration

Of the total number of respondents, one third believe healthcare is best positioned to benefit from telecoms integration. 

This response highlights the role communication plays in streamlining daily tasks, particularly in sectors in which electronic data exchange helps simplify decision-making.

The remaining responses – which included the finance, marketing, commerce and energy industries – were almost evenly distributed, indicating that myriad industries are positioned to benefit from the electronic data exchanges of the telecoms sector.

AI to have a significant impact on telecommunications

In line with the widespread adoption of AI in recent months, nearly 50 percent of respondents believe that AI will have a significant impact on industries across the board in the next five years. 

Within the telecommunications sector, AI is projected to have a profound effect on predicting network faults and anomalies, addressing customer concerns and managing data insights. 

In the Ooredoo survey, Web Summit Qatar attendees believed AI would have a far greater overall impact than 5G technology, augmented reality or quantum computing.

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Main image of telephone: Web Summit