Facing the challenges in the communication industry like a pro

Image courtesy of andersbknudsen at Flickr.com

Telecommunication, like everything else, is changing at such high rates that some companies are being left behind. The rapid progress is sure to raise some challenges to the industry as a whole and facing these challenges head on will ultimately determine who remains standing after it’s all said and done.

Data is the most important asset in this day and age. So as a service provider, being able to make data a priority will go a long way. With the new apps and services being offered by use of Wi-Fi and internet, data usage is becoming more sought out than voice services. Service providers should be ready to be able to offer better and faster bandwidths at competitive prices, because more and more the trend is turning towards increasing the data capability on our plans rather than voice. Now, with this consideration, it will become more and more difficult to monetize services for service providers, since increasing bandwidth will not allow them to charge for minutes or text messages as they were before. Due to this, it is imperative that these companies start to consider launching apps and services of their own like HD quality video conferencing. By making it exclusive with features and content, providers will have to set it apart from the rest, thus making the brand competitive in the market. Considering the increment in use of data, service providers must be prepared in terms of infrastructure. They should have a system that is scalable and controlled so that it can grow parallel with the industry. This will also allow companies to control costs by having scalable solutions to each of the challenges faced not only by service providers, but the industry as a whole.

The industry on the other hand, has four major types of challenges that will affect all of those who participate and take part in this industry. Compliance threats, such as corporate governance, regulations and laws that will directly affect how the business is run. Then there are operational threats that impact the systems and people in it, as well as the overall value chain of the business and its processes. Strategic threats will arise as well, as the constant struggle between competitors continues, and the relationship with customers and investors becomes even more important. Finally, there could also be financial threats arising due to volatile markets or in the economy in general. Through these four threats, the industry must maintain afloat where telecommunications are more important than ever and the possibilities seem to be endless. Within each one of these threats there are challenges that the industry should prepare for.

One of the biggest challenges will be ignoring the new roles within the industry’s ecosystem. As mentioned before, failing to recognize new opportunities will not let you position the value chain under the new conditions of the market. Many options will arise, but the important part is to stay relevant with consumer needs and innovate ways to offer packages that will stand apart from the rest of the things offered in the market.

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Considering initially the challenges that are considered to be compliance threats the most important one is the lack of regulatory procedures for all of the new services that are popping up. These new market structures are reinventing everything as they go along, and most of the time regulations can’t keep up. The other hot topic, especially recently, has been privacy and security. As technology opens the door to new communication channels, authorities begin to wonder and analyze the different needs that may come up while persecuting criminals and how this new technology will affect their roles. Up until now, the new players in the telecommunication industry has sent a clear message saying that they believe in the user’s privacy and will uphold it no matter what.

Organizational agility will be essential when it comes to facing operational threats. Being able to stay up to date as an organization with its infrastructure and qualified personnel will be a big challenge with so many changes coming our way. But the other important factor will be not understanding what the clients want. By continuing to offer the same as always, we are not necessarily tapping into the needs that the consumers have, and by not doing so becoming obsolete. This will be the biggest challenge as far as strategic threats go.

Finally, not taking on innovative solutions to the challenges that arise, will ultimately prove to be the biggest challenge when it comes to financial threats. In reality, not being able to envision the growth of the industry, understand where its heading and find ways to keep up or even be ahead of the pack will prove to be challenges that companies within the industry may not be able to bounce back from. The telecommunication industry is sure to be one of the most important in the years to come, offering us new and innovate ways to communicate with our loved ones, and to keep in touch with our company’s stakeholders, employees and consumers.

The invention of WiFi, a revolutionary tool that has changed the world.

WiFi (also Wi-Fi) is a technology that allows electronic devices to access to a wireless LAN network. it has evolved at the same time technology has been doing it but, what makes WiFi that special is the possibility it offers to users to get access to a WLAN in any place. Before, it has to be done in a static way, having sit in front of a computer that was connected with a cable to the phone line, where it got the access to internet. Now, thanks to the advances engineers have made, it is possible to depend on a small device that is usually password protected, but may be open, which allows any device within its range to access the resources of the WLAN network.

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The WiFi Alliance defines Wi-Fi as any "wireless local area network". However, the term "Wi-Fi" has been adopted as an English synonym for “WLAN”. It is because for users the word WiFi is easier to pronounce and thanks to it, "Wi-Fi" is a current trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Actually, the "Wi-Fi Certified" trademark can only be used by Wi-Fi products that successfully complete Wi-Fi Alliance interoperability certification testing.

As this new technology allows people to get access to WLAN from different location within the range of the device, new devices has been created thanks to it. For example, new cell phones, better known as smartphones, emerged after the WiFi invention. Cell phones were before used for making and receiving calls but after WiFi invention, phones became into an everyday tool that allows people to get immediate access to e-mail accounts, browsers and social networks. So that, people are in touch easier and information is available in real time.

Social networks has also evolved thanks to WiFi browsers’ invention. Previous social network allowed people to share information and have new friends but since people were not in front of a computer (the only source to get access to them) information people shared was not up-to-date. Now, people’s posts, comments, photos, videos are been shared in real time and their followers or friends (the name depends on the social network) can know if they are in an airport or having a meal in some restaurant. Devices which can use Wi-Fi technology include personal computers, video-game consoles, smartphones,digital cameras, tablet computers and digital audio players as well as printing devices that have the option of sending information wirelessly to another device, both connected to the local network, in order to print a document.
WiFi is a tool that not only has revolutionised the way people communicate but also the way societies behave. Although the discussion here is quite extensive and different sectors have different points of view, there is no discussion that the idea of having access to websites everywhere you are have change people’s habits as well as cities’ urban design.

The potential for WiFi is endless. For example, police can already track criminals in an instant via mugshots being sent over a device, public can be well informed, warned or alerted about unusual situations via Twitter or through the official websites of government institutions or mass media. Or,in healthcare establishments it is possible to notice many major advances using WiFi, such as way-finding tools to get patients to the right location, opportunity to receive feedback on services, information on waiting times, monitoring use of resources around a hospital building and so on.

An enterprising move or wave comes from the plans to ‘connect’ whole cities. The benefits of creating a WiFi solution for whole cities at once clearly is an attractive proposition for both city managers and citizens. For the city it may improve lifestyles. Children now can get access to information that previously were available in books only. They can also be involved in foreign language learning easier that time ago because several companies have designed their teaching programs via Skype and some free platforms where people guide their learning process in the way that better fit for them. Plus, the possibility of working at home does not seem weird because some companies just need their employees have internet access and that’s all, they are hired. In this way, cities reduce their traffic because some people do not need to go out for working, they are doing it from home.

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Nevertheless, it has to be taken into consideration they way people is using in a massive way devices that pollutes. This is the most remarkable issue WiFi era has bring up. Global Warming has been accelerated since people acquire and use different WiFi devices.

Wireless Cities Are Helping People Communicate on the Go

Gone are the days when the Internet could only be accessed at home or the office via dial-up connections. Libraries used to be packed with patrons eager to jump on the information superhighway and were often time-restricted in order to accommodate everyone. While Municipal Wi-Fi has existed for awhile, it has been slow to catch on mainly due to the logistics of how to integrate the necessary wired connections into existing infrastructure. Delays could also be attributed to cost concerns for smaller municipalities.

Although it has had a slow start, wireless Internet has since taken over and can be found at a variety of locations, such as hospitals, airports, and even fast food chains. Coffee shops are often filled with customers who pop open their laptops to study or work while enjoying their favorite beverages. Wi-Fi has become so commonplace that so-called wireless cities are slowly forming across the U.S. A wireless city basically has implemented an open wireless network that enables users to access it anywhere within a certain radius. In these cities, there is no need to step into a coffee shop or library since the entire city is essentially one big Wi-Fi hot zone. The wireless networks can even be accessed in outdoor areas like parks and city streets.

Benefits

Wireless cities differ from typical Wi-Fi hotspots, as they provide wireless Internet access over a broader area and are not confined to certain building locations. Hot spots operate as an extension of a wired network within a building. When a person connects to a Wi-Fi hot spot in Starbucks, they cannot access the network if they leave the immediate area. Cities such as Tempe, Arizona, and Minneapolis, Minnesota, have implemented citywide wireless networks. While free municipal Wi-Fi is a great way for residents and visitors to access the Internet, some wonder if it is a covert means of surveillance.

In the case of Tempe, users pay a fee to access wireless Internet around the city. This serves to bring in much-needed revenue for the city, provide visitors and residents with access, and keep connection speeds at optimal levels. The paid structure avoids the common pitfall of painfully slow Internet connections that often plague free wireless hot spots.

The city of Minneapolis’s website states that outdoor Wi-Fi makes it “unique’ in comparison to other cities, and it is a definite selling point for those looking to visit or relocate to the area. Wireless access is available in nearly every outdoor space, and 90% of indoor areas have wireless access, as well. Obviously, certain areas in the city have limited to no access due to obstructions like thick building walls, trees and locations close to bodies of water, which are typically further away from wireless equipment.

Drawbacks

Having an entire wireless Internet infrastructure is a great thing for residents, businesses, and the cities themselves, but this technology is not without drawbacks. With technology developing at lightning speed and constantly evolving, it can be costly to transition cities to a totally wireless network knowing that the technology is likely to be replaced by something newer and faster in the near future. Smaller municipalities often have to deal with state-imposed restrictions, and it can take years — sometimes decades — for municipal Wi-Fi to come to fruition.

With widespread Wi-Fi access, networks can quickly become congested and cause limited connectivity. If the increased network traffic is more than just temporary, outages will happen more frequently, and cities must then consider upgrading their networks to have adequate bandwidth. Financial consideration must be taken into account when an upgrade is in order. Tourists are attracted to wireless cities, longtime residents consider it a benefit of staying put, and citywide Wi-Fi is a definite draw for those contemplating relocation.

As with any public Wi-Fi connection, data security is always a major concern. The very nature of wireless Internet access makes it more vulnerable, since anyone can access the network. This means savvy hackers are able to intercept data from nearby devices. This may not be an issue for recreational Wi-Fi users, but those who use public Wi-Fi for business or financial transactions need to be aware that sensitive data is being sent in a non-secure manner.

What’s Next?

Cities all over the United States are jumping on the citywide wireless Internet trend, and it can be expected to grow exponentially in the next decade. The city of Boston has an extensive wireless network and provides users with access points in convenient locations. Los Angeles, Oklahoma City and Ocean City, Maryland have all adopted citywide Wi-Fi access, and it has largely been a positive addition. The challenges that plague municipal Wi-Fi may deter more cities from hopping on board and with so many hot spots already available, bringing this technology to a city near your may not be at the top of the priority list.