The Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the billions of devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data and in turn adding to the hands-free lifestyle that society has grown accustomed to. Thanks to processors and wireless networks, it’s possible to turn anything, from a lightbulb to an airplane into part of the IoT. This adds a level of digital intelligence to devices that would be otherwise dumb, enabling them to communicate without a human being involved, and merging the digital and physical worlds.

The term IoT is mainly used for devices that wouldn’t usually be generally expected to have an internet connection. A device that can communicate with the network independently of human action. And increasingly so, organizations in a variety of industries are using IoT devices to operate more efficiently, better understand customers to deliver enhanced customer service, improve decision-making and increase the value of the business.

So how does this impact the telecom industry?

The obvious answer is the involvement and emphasis on technology and accessibility. But it goes deeper than that. The IoT is changing how we work, how we live, how we get value from our belongings and assets, and even how government and society function. And the connectivity layer for the IoT is usually provided by the telecommunications system, which means it will likely become part of an even larger ecosystem.

Telecom networks look likely to become the inevitable glue that cements together the IoT. The mobile interface is increasingly the choice for customers, employees and partners around the world to connect and access services, giving telecoms operators the opportunity to drive real value. By connecting devices and services through a single interface, the telecom system provides customers with both freedom and control over their lives. Now that’s value!

Additionally, by providing seamless connectivity for businesses, the efficiency in communication and accessibility for employees is hard to ignore. In the end, businesses and customers alike both want one thing: instant gratification in connectivity.

This is today’s expectation in the economy. Customers are increasingly well-informed, experienced, and impatient and have high expectations of their service provider. They also expect them to provide a level of experience on par with their favorite apps and providers. By combining data from customer, product and network domains, you can create a near 360-degree insight (including trends, habits and connectivity patterns), which forms the basis of such an experience. This information then needs to be analyzed, in order to not only to predict but also automatically adapt to the customer’s changing preferences, needs and behaviors.

Digital dexterity is a fundamental need to meet the needs of today’s digital consumers. If this is to be achieved, IoT is a fundamental imperative for your business. But if your system lacks the capabilities to become more intelligent with every transaction or interaction (whether with a customer or employee communication), now is the time to consider strategies to bring your systems up to speed.