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7 Trends in Location-Based Intelligence in 2022

7 Trends in Location-Based Intelligence in 2022 Image Credit: TeroVesalainen/Bigstockphoto.com

Location-based intelligence provides value for modern organizations in a myriad of ways. Strategic analysis, targeted marketing, and trend monitoring are just a few areas where this information can provide value within an organization. The adaption of location-based intelligence is becoming increasingly more essential with trends such as real-time data available with 5G connections, the rise of Artificial Intelligence, data security, and much more. During the forecast period of 2022 - 2027, the global location intelligence market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16.1% to approximately reach $29.90 billion. [1] This increasingly important market will see a rise due to the following 7 trends in location-based intelligence in the upcoming year.

#1: Real-Time Data Availability with 5G

The demand for real-time data increases every day. According to a CCS Insight report, “connections to 5G networks worldwide [are expected] to more than double in 2022 to 1.34 billion.” [2] The 5G market has continued as previously predicted even while facing numerous challenges. These challenges include a global pandemic affecting the supply chain, workforce, and the instabilities of network equipment providers in the macroeconomic and political environment. [1] However, 5G has continued to develop and has paved the way for real-time data availability due to the increase in bandwidth and quicker connectivity.

The need for accurate updates and critical location-based information has risen in almost every industry. Access to this data has also been adopted by most consumers and in turn, these consumers are also providing real-time data through various platforms such as social media. The availability of real-time data is resulting in an abundance of critical location-based intelligence. Use cases of this include marketing to consumers nearby, the alert of potential local threats, and much more.

#2: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions and technology have exponentially increased throughout the past decade. In 2022, AI will continue to develop at an increasing rate resulting in more advanced algorithms, more scalable technologies, and more adaptive machine learning. Together advanced machine learning and developing AI will revolutionize the analytical methods of location-based intelligence. For example, with more location-based mapping platforms relying on AI, the more advanced predictive analytical results will become. Thus, the outputs of requests will become increasingly more advanced as we move into 2022.

#3: Data & Cyber Security

The world is becoming more connected than ever before and there will be an even greater rise of data being transmitted and shared in 2022. This increase in information transmission whether via wired or wireless connections creates pressure for data and network security. The telecommunications industry has been one of the most exposed sectors in previous years. There is a multitude of opportunities for malicious attacks due to large customer bases in combination with amounts and types of data being transmitted. Fortunately, telecom service providers are aware of this threat and are adopting what has been coined as a cyber security mesh tactic.

By adopting a cyber security mesh in consideration with location-based intelligence, “telecom providers are better able to detect threats, take up prevention measures, and support resilience when attacked. The mesh takes a more modular approach instead of securing a single IT perimeter as networks do not have physical borders. Soon cyber security mesh will emerge as a mainstream approach as it adheres to the zero-trust network concept.” [3] In other words, a security mesh will operate on the guidelines that all hardware and data is unreliable until it is verified by a specific security protocol. With the use of location-based intelligence, organizations can pinpoint security weaknesses or threats. These modern approaches to security and the implementation of more privacy regulations will result in an increase in data and cyber security for the upcoming year.

#4: Wi-Fi 6

A trend that will become increasingly popular in 2022 is Wi-Fi 6 or the next generation of Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6 will consist of better network performance, increased connectivity range, faster communications, more bandwidth, greater stability, and reduced power consumption. The next generation of Wi-Fi will have four times the capacity for connected devices compared to the current generation. With this increase in capacity, location-based intelligence can be improved and utilized with advanced tracking and positioning.

#5: Cloud Computing

Cloud computing will continue to trend in 2022 as demand rises for user-friendly and cost-effective communication solutions. “Gartner forecasts end-user spending on public cloud services to [increase by] 21.7% to reach $482 billion in 2022. Additionally, by 2026, Gartner predicts public cloud spending will exceed 45% of all enterprise IT spending.” [4] Along with this increase in spending, there will be a large shift of location-based intelligence providers and other industries moving data to the cloud.

#6: Smart Cities

Another trend that will see an increase in 2022 is the adoption of smart cities. Smart cities rely on real-time data and location-based intelligence to create digital landscapes of the urban infrastructure, in some cases resulting in an identical digital twin of a specific city. Smart cities track patterns from networks of connected devices and sensors, smart applications, and traditional infrastructure to develop smart cities technologies and provide opportunities to improve urban life. According to Juniper Research, the top 5 smart cities for 2022 are as follows. [5]

  • Shanghai
  • Seoul
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • New York

These smart cities and other developing digital infrastructures will utilize and produce location-based intelligence at a greater rate than in previous years. Juniper Research also claimed that “smart city initiatives will generate almost $70 billion in spend[ing] annually by 2026; up from $35 billion in 2021.” [4] Smart cities, 5G adoption, and Wi-Fi 6 installations are location-based intelligence trends that will benefit the other in technological developments and provide advancement for intelligence management.

#7: Covid-19 and Disaster Management

The Covid-19 pandemic has created a rise in global demand for real-time and accurate location-based information. The United States and various other countries relied heavily on the daily Covid-19 updates informing users of infections, hospitalization rates, and other pertinent information to keep the masses safe. Management of Covid-19 data and other disaster-related information will continue to evolve into 2022 with the assistance of Geographic Information Systems and location-based intelligence.

According to a Statista report, “as of 2020, the economic loss due to natural disaster events worldwide amounted to about 268 billion U.S. dollars.” [6] In 2021, the United States’ cost of disasters surpassed 145 billion dollars alone. With climate change this number is expected to rise. During the previous year, in the United States, there were at least eight major and severe weathers events. These included three deadly tornado outbreaks, four tropical cyclones, two devastating flooding events, a discerning cold wave and winter storm, a deadly drought and heatwave, and a devastating wildfire event. The destruction caused by these events in the future can be minimized with the use of fast and accurate location-based intelligence.

Conclusion

Location intelligence will continue to evolve and benefit society in 2022. Real-time data available with 5G, Artificial Intelligence with machine learning, data and cyber security, the next generation of Wi-Fi, cloud computing, advancement of smart cities, and disaster management will all be trends for location intelligence throughout the year. As technology evolves, so must the constant flow of information that we provide to our society. Location-based intelligence may be just the most important aspect of data moving forward for safety and general evolution.

Sources:

[1] Global Location Intelligence Market Outlook. - Expert Market Research, 2020, https://www.expertmarketresearch.com/reports/location-intelligence-market

[2] 5G Progress Continues but Mobile Phone Supply Concerns Remain a Risk. - CCS Insight, 2021, https://www.ccsinsight.com/press/company-news/5g-progress-continues-but-mobile-phone-supply-concerns-remain-a-risk/

[3] Top 8 Technological Trends Shaping The Telecom Industry In 2022. - iLink Digital, 11 Jan. 2022, https://www.ilink-digital.com/insights/blog/top-8-technological-trends-shaping-the-telecom-industry-in-2022/

[4] Gartner Says Four Trends Are Shaping the Future of Public Cloud. - Gartner, 2 Aug. 2021, https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2021-08-02-gartner-says-four-trends-are-shaping-the-future-of-public-cloud

[5] Smart Cities: Key Technologies, Environmental Impact & Market Forecasts 2022-2026. - Juniper Research, Jan. 2022, https://www.juniperresearch.com/researchstore/key-vertical-markets/smart-cities-research-report

[6] Economic loss from natural disaster events globally from 2000 to 2020. - 9 Apr. 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/510894/natural-disasters-globally-and-economic-losses/

Author

Dave Drazen is the CEO & Founder of GeoTel Communications, LLC, the world’s leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure data in geographic information systems (GIS) and SaaS technologies for over 23 years.

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