FIELD ENGINEER
BLOG
Telecom
by
Syed Ali
|
July 26, 2019
Digital changes are shaking near enough every industry at the moment, and the cloud is behind many of the most significant shifts. From paperless offices to remote work, new cloud computing capabilities are behind it all. And, it looks like a cloud is fast setting over our telecom software solutions, too.
The good news is that, for the most part, this cloud promises sunshine instead of rain, though these early days still see many telecommunications companies keeping umbrellas at the ready. Either way; the cloud has already transformed telecom solutions. And, it looks set to change the stage even more in the coming years. But, what exactly is the transformation telecom software solutions have seen so far in 2019, and what does the future have in store?
Shifts in the telecommunications industry are largely inevitable given how much our communication methods have changed in recent years. Home phones are now almost obsolete, and the demand for internet providers is at an all-time high. This, paired with increasing fears about personal protection, including policy changes like GDPR, has left many telecom solutions providers struggling to retain relevance and meet modern customer demands.
This has led to a cloud-fronted transformation, which is the most significant change in telecom software solutions to hit the industry since IP-based communications began. Now, the vast majority of telecom services fall under the bracket of ‘telecom cloud services,’ and focus communication methods around cloud computing in both the workplace and for client benefits.
For the most part, telecom cloud services fall under one neat umbrella - UCaaS (Unified Communications as a Service). This cloud delivery model involves various communication and collaboration services, including messaging, video conferencing, and telephony. Within this bracket, you can also find CPaaS (communications platform as a service) and APIs (application programming interfaces).
These methods and more are taking telecom software solutions ever further from the landlines of old towards modern communication solutions which businesses and individuals can use as standard.
For the most part, the change that these alternative telecom cloud services bring to the industry is evident. Globalization continues to grow with the cloud as more businesses expand globally. Communications are now easy to manage at affordable prices for every business and individual. Gone are the days when companies had to keep on top of communications by email, phone, and letter. UCaaS and its counterparts ensure that all communications are together in one easy and affordable package. This ensures that conversations take seconds rather than hours, freeing up time and allowing for improved efficiency compared to slower traditional methods.
The ability to access communications anywhere with a network connection has also set the stage for the remote work revolution. 3.9 million Americans now work from home. That wouldn’t have been possible without the cloud-based telecom software solutions we enjoy today. And, of course, there are undeniable benefits of not having to deal with endless wires thanks to the wireless cloud.
Of course, not everything that’s in the cloud is perfect, and there are still issues that need to be worked though in many telecom cloud services. Some of the pros and cons the industry can expect to see include -
There’s no denying that benefits like cut costs and ease of communication are incredibly valuable in modern business and life. But, we’re in an age where guaranteed security is more of a priority than ever before. It’s fair to say, then, that potential security risks on an unsecured cloud network are going a long way towards holding these advancements back. That’s something telecom providers need to address if they’re to keep these cloud collaborations strong moving forward.
Speaking of moving forward, it’s also important to consider how the telecom industry intends to keep up with the ever-evolving cloud landscape. Security aside, other areas which need real focus include -
The telecommunication industry will need to keep one foot ahead of the latest trends if it's to see results from this collaboration with the cloud. And, only time will tell if they manage it.
Love the cloud or hate it, there's no denying that it has changed the way we do everything, communication included. And, with the right attention, it could continue to transform our lives, and our industries, for the better.
