Our entire world continues to move online. More of us work from home, go to school from home, and stream new-release movies from the comfort of our living rooms. We live in smart homes, wear smartwatches, and use smartphones to control our lives. Connectivity is key. This should indicate that the telecommunications industry is growing exponentially, right? Not exactly. When it comes to telecommunications, growth is about more than just increased demand for connectivity. It’s about creating added value by coupling that connectivity with the devices, technology, and trends that enable a provider to innovate, monetize, and meet new sustainability standards.

So, is the telecommunications industry growing?

The telecommunications industry isn’t just growing, it's evolving. With business value being created beyond the network, providers realize that offering a base layer of connectivity may no longer be enough. To find success, providers need to unearth new opportunities and position their companies to take on a greater role in both the B2B and B2C value chain.

What is this new role? These new opportunities? And most importantly, the future of telecom? Growth depends on a provider's ability to optimize the existing business while branching out beyond the traditional connectivity-based business model. Going forward, as the industry evolves, so too do the paths to growth. This means that success will come to companies that are able to reimagine the ways in which they:

• Increase revenue through innovative services.
• Use technology to reduce costs.
• Comply with growing pressure for sustainability reporting and progress.