2020 has been a landmark year for a number of reasons. While many articles focus on the impact that COVID-19 has had upon our society, it is important to remember that the digital age has likewise been transformed. This arises from the simple fact that the majority of consumers have been forced to turn to the Internet in the past nine months for many services. From telecommuting and confirming online purchases to playing games and communicating with family members, our reliance upon this digital community has skyrocketed. This is why many industry experts are expecting big things to emerge in 2021. What are they predicting and how might this revolution impact our experiences as a whole?

Broadband and the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a rather ubiquitous term in 2020. Some examples of how IoT is beginning to transform our existence include:

  • Remote employment opportunities.
  • Smart security systems.
  • Home-based digital entertainment possibilities.
  • Activity trackers such as smart watches.
  • VR and AR (augmented reality) headsets.
  • Smart farming.

Of course, these and many other services will all require robust online connections in order to function as they should. This is why many network providers are choosing to roll out fibre optic services to their customers; even when referring to the more rural areas throughout the United Kingdom.

Increased Amounts of Competition

A study performed by Amdocs recently highlighted that 37 percent of all consumers have chosen to work remotely as a result of the pandemic (1). An additional 18 percent have become involved in online gaming and 25 percent have participated in at least one e-learning program. If anything, these numbers are set to increase in the coming year. This is why Internet providers are facing a highly competitive landscape. As a result, consumers can expect to be offered even more money-saving deals. Furthermore, these deals are slated to become highly personalised in order to address unique requirements. This is obviously beneficial from an end-user point of view.

The Prevalence of High-Bandwidth Activities

Due in no small part to the very same digital trends mentioned above, the bandwidth that average users require is likewise set to increase. This will naturally place a higher demand upon broadband providers. Perhaps the best example that is beginning to emerge involves the presence of 5G wireless connectivity. The capability of handling massive amounts of data is obviously crucial when performing activities such as streaming 4K media or relying upon VoIP systems in order to communicate with customers over long distances. This is also why fibre optic Internet is expected to gain ground throughout 2021 and beyond.

We can now see that major changes in broadband Internet are set to emerge in the coming year. While this will undoubtedly present challenges for providers, it is excellent news for the average consumer. Users can expect to enjoy more flexible and targeted solutions than ever before.