VoLTE is expected to be the most prevalent technology in future: Deloitte

Vantage point: Insights from cutting-edge research

Machine learning to intensify for medium, large enterprises

Deloitte India’s eighth edition of signature publication on technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) predicts major advances in machine learning, VoLTE (Voice over LTE) technology services and over the top (OTT) platforms among growing trends. VoLTE is expected to be the most prevalent voice technology in the future. It is also estimated that more than 90 per cent of all mobile subscribers will comprise broadband subscribers by 2023. OTT platforms are witnessing an explosion in original content due to increase in consumption and viewership, the report says, adding they will gradually become a preferred medium over television, with the consumers of vernacular content likely to become over 2.5 times that of English language content by 2021.
 

The publication highlights the fact that machine learning (ML) will intensify among medium and large-sized enterprises. Compared to 2017, the number of implementations and pilot projects using machine learning technology is likely to double in 2018 and then doubling again in 2020.
 

As enterprises in India embrace technology to bring transparency and efficiency in business operations, data assumes centre stage in decision-making, setting the stage for tools such as advanced analytics and ML to usher value-chain efficiencies, a Deloitte India spokesperson said. In 2018, technologies like OTT, VoLTE and ML will make significant progress and as organisations take steps to realise the potential of the Internet of Things (IoT) for their businesses, predictive analytics and intelligent data mining technologies are set to become mainstream in India.
 

“India is one of the fastest growing technology market in APAC, with the ongoing digital transformation of public sector and private sector enterprises enabled by changing market dynamics and policy interventions. Enterprises across industries are increasingly adopting technology-driven solutions to improve customer experience, optimise business operations, and compete effectively in the market. Catalysed by the availability of cost-effective computing infrastructure and flexible business models through cloud computing, and the adoption of exponential technologies such as AI, ML, AR, IoT etc., the technology sector in India is truly at an inflection point,” says P N Sudarshan, partner, Deloitte India. He added, “Trends such as IoT will catalyse the emergence of analytics at the edge. Digital revolution, also known as ‘the Internet economy’, is creating a new market for digital first services, which has the potential to optimise value chains, bring transparency, and improve overall productivity in the economy.”

 

Cloud-native early adopters gain digital dexterity

A select group of communications and media providers is rapidly adopting cloud-native technologies in order to obtain the agility and continuous innovation needed to meet the digital experience benchmark set by digital disruptors. However, most service providers are moving slower, hindered by legacy technology, culture and processes, as well as the challenges of managing both legacy and cloud native systems in a hybrid, combined environment. While the move to cloud-native systems is visible across industries, mainstream adoption is unlikely before 2022. The laggards will find it difficult to close the early leads established by the fast movers.
 

These are part of the findings from an Amdocs global study of leading communications and media companies by Analysys Mason, a global consultancy and research firm. 
 

“Communications and media providers are following the initial lead of web-scale software companies such as Amazon and Netflix in adopting cloud computing, DevOps practices, and cloud-native software architecture,” said Dr Mark 

H Mortensen, research director of digital transformation at Analysys Mason. “What we see from the survey is that this is mostly being driven by the need to boost agility and innovation. Even though full transition is almost a decade away, those providers who can bring these technologies into their everyday operations quickly will secure the strongest competitive advantages.”