As we step into 2024, envision a telecom landscape on the brink of transformation. Can automation and AI truly be the dynamic duo reshaping network efficiency, redefining user experiences, and revolutionizing workforce operations? Picture the Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC) stepping into the spotlight, promising agility and innovation in the Radio Access Network (RAN). Could this be the tech maestro orchestrating a symphony of connectivity?
And what about the unexpected comeback of small cells in private networks, guided by the technological prowess of RIC? Is this a strategic move, a comeback tale with a plot twist fueled by efficiency and cost-effectiveness?
Now, cue the convergence of cloud computing, container/microservices architecture, edge computing, and CI/CD practices – a harmonious blend tailored for the 5G crescendo. Are these technological forces the Avengers assembling to meet the demands of the 5G era?
In this grand narrative, sustainability and TCO efficiency share the limelight. Can the telecom industry truly don the mantle of eco-consciousness while enhancing cost-effectiveness? And amidst this digital dance, the integration of openness, architectural harmony, and API sophistication emerges as the strategic linchpin. Can these elements truly perform a tech tango, transforming the telecom landscape into a vibrant, efficient ecosystem?
Join us on this rhetorical journey through the forecasted technological advancements, where questions spark curiosity, and the future of telecom in 2024 unfolds as an intriguing enigma waiting to be unraveled.
Here are our 7 telecom predictions for 2024.
#1: Automation and AI across all aspects of telecom business: network, end users and workforce
In 2024, automation and AI are expected to become even more important in the telecom industry. This will be driven by the need to improve the efficiency and reliability of networks. There will be 3 areas for AI:
- AI for network automation: Automation and AI can help telecom companies optimize network performance, reduce downtime, and improve the quality of service. With the help of RIC, network operators can manage automation and AI more efficiently, enabling them to detect and respond to network issues in real-time, reducing the need for manual intervention. Automation and AI will be used to optimize network performance, reduce downtime, and improve the quality of service. They will also be used to detect and respond to network issues in real-time, reducing the need for manual intervention.This will enable the deployment of new applications and services that require high bandwidth and low latency.
- AI to improve the end-user experience: AI can improve the end-user experience in wireless networks in several ways. For instance, AI techniques such as machine learning (ML) can generate granular insights about network quality and user experience. This analysis can be done across a broader range of data sets than is used in today’s operations and at much faster speeds. With the help of automation and AI, mobile operators can provide better customer service by resolving issues faster and more efficiently. For instance, AI can help analyze customer data to identify patterns and trends in customer behavior, preferences, and usage. This information can then be used to develop customized services and offerings tailored to each customer's specific needs.
- AI for telecom workforce: Gen AI can help telecom companies improve the efficiency of their workforce by automating repetitive tasks and providing intelligent insights. For instance, AI can help telecom companies optimize their network infrastructure, reduce operational costs, and improve business agility.
#2: The RIC will get rocking
The momentum gained in 2023 within the OpenRAN movement is set to translate into substantial monetization opportunities. The convergence of traditional RAN and open RAN systems is nearing completion, with significant deployments already visible in key markets like the U.K. and North America, buoyed by government support.
A pivotal player in this evolution is the Radio Intelligent Controller (RIC), emerging as the ultimate game changer in the quest for improved programmability, automation, agility, interoperability, and innovation within the RAN. The RIC serves as an app-store equivalent for the RAN, facilitating the onboarding of third-party applications that automate and optimize RAN operations at scale. The differentiation lies in the deployment of rApps for tasks exceeding 1s, housed in the non-real-time RIC, and xApps for tasks ranging from 10ms to 1s, hosted in the near-real-time RIC.
Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies with the RIC is poised to bring unprecedented intelligence to the RAN. Mobile operators are anticipating granular control over RAN infrastructure, ushering in a novel automation approach. The RIC's capabilities are expected to enhance asset utilization, enable the introduction of new services, and catalyze innovation within open ecosystems.
In 2024, the focus will intensify on the practical implementation of RIC capabilities to deliver Return on Investment (ROI) in networks. The market has been calling for validated, market-ready solutions and through a collaborative approach, next year is when we will see some of the use cases in the RIC get rolling.
#3. The comeback of Small cells for Private Networks
Small cells are making a comeback in private networks in 2024. This is driven by the need to provide coverage in difficult and costly areas to reach with traditional macrocells. Small cells are also being used to provide coverage in buildings, stadiums, and other indoor venues. They are easy to install and can be deployed quickly, making them an attractive option for private network operators. In addition, small cells are cost-effective, as they require less power and infrastructure than traditional macrocells.
Why small cells now? The use of RIC (Radio Intelligent Controller) technology will enable network operators to deploy and manage small cells more efficiently, further reducing costs and improving network performance with AI and ML.
Why small cells and not DAS? DAS is not ideal for private networks because it is less flexible, scalable, and expensive than small cells. Unlike DAS, small cells can be deployed quickly and easily, making them an attractive option for private network operators. Small cells are also more flexible than DAS, as they can be deployed in various settings, including buildings, stadiums, and other indoor venues. In addition, small cells are more scalable than DAS, as they can be deployed modularly, allowing network operators to add capacity as enterprises need.
Deploying small cells in private networks will be a revenue opportunity for mobile operators to maximize their 5G investments. According to a report by ABI Research, the revenue opportunity for private cellular networks is forecasted to grow from almost US$7 billion in 2023 to more than US$96 billion by 2030. A range of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and transportation, is deploying private networks. These networks require high-speed, low-latency connectivity to support mission-critical applications that small cells can deliver.
#4: synergy of Edge and Cloud
In 2024, the telecom industry is set to witness a convergence of cloud computing, container/microservices architecture, edge computing, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD). This integration will manifest in a unified cloud-edge architecture, facilitating the deployment of microservices and containers at the network's edge. With a focus on reducing latency, edge computing will play a pivotal role, particularly for real-time applications.
The orchestration of this convergence will be automated through CI/CD practices, enabling rapid updates and efficient deployment of services. Network slicing in 5G will be dynamically optimized, adapting to specific application requirements. Enhanced security measures, including encryption and threat detection, will accompany the distributed nature of services.
Resource utilization and scalability will be optimized, allowing for the efficient handling of variable workloads. This convergence signifies a transformative shift, providing telecom operators with the agility and responsiveness required to meet the evolving demands.
Edge computing will be used to improve the performance of existing applications, such as video streaming and online gaming, while cloud computing will be used to deploy new applications and services quickly and cost-effectively. Edge computing will be used to enable new use cases like industrial automation, and cloud computing will be used to run AI and ML models to automate the edge use cases.
#5: Navigating the Green Horizon: Sustainable Trends in Telecom for 2024
In 2024, sustainability will become even more important in the telecom industry. This will be driven by the need to reduce the carbon footprint of network operators and meet their sustainability goals. Network operators will adopt a range of measures to reduce their energy consumption, including using renewable energy sources, deploying energy-efficient equipment, and optimizing network performance. With the advent of 5G networks, sustainability will be even more important, as network operators will need to deploy more infrastructure to support the bandwidth and capacity requirements of 5G. The deployment of sustainable infrastructure will be aided by automation and AI, enabling network operators to optimize network performance and reduce energy consumption, reducing the overall deployment and maintenance cost. The use of RIC technology will also help network operators to manage sustainable infrastructure more efficiently.
#6: TCO Efficiency in 2024: A New Approach
In 2024, total cost of ownership (TCO) is expected to become even more important in the telecom industry. This will be driven by the need to improve profitability. Network operators will adopt various measures to reduce their TCO, including using open components and architectures, consolidating requirements from MNOs, and certifying open components.
Mobile operators can reduce their CAPEX not by simply buying cheaper components but by establishing co-investment partnerships with hyperscalers. According to a report by Analysys Mason, operators worldwide can save USD 249 billion cumulatively between 2017 and 2027 by sharing the capex costs of new network deployments with partners.
In addition, operators can optimize their capex by applying AI and automation to their network planning in the configuration and maintenance stages. This can drive significant ROI improvements, especially given the challenges faced worldwide today.
#7: Embracing Openness: Architectural Integration and API Integration for Brownfield Networks
In 2024, openness will become even more important in the telecom industry. This will be driven by the need to reduce costs and improve flexibility. Openness will include the use of open components and architectures, as well as the use of APIs for brownfield networks. Open components and architectures enable network operators to reduce their costs by using off-the-shelf components and software rather than proprietary solutions. APIs to brownfield networks enable network operators to integrate new applications and services with existing networks, reducing the need for costly upgrades. With the advent of 5G networks, openness will be even more important, as network operators will need to deploy more infrastructure to support the increased bandwidth and capacity requirements of 5G. The deployment of open infrastructure will be aided by automation and AI, enabling network operators to optimize network performance and reduce costs.
As we wrap up our sneak peek into the telecom future of 2024, one thing is for sure: the stage is set, but the real show is still in the wings. In this tech drama, only time will spill the beans on which predictions will steal the spotlight and which innovations will take the lead. Get ready for the unfolding story, where the future holds all the cards, and we're just here to see how it plays out. The telecom tale of 2024 is like an unwritten book waiting for the pages to turn in the hands of time.
