5G and network transformation: five trends to watch in 2022
5G
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2021 has been an intense year for the telecoms ecosystem, with new developments and innovation spanning all areas of the industry. While 2022 will see some existing trends continue to run their course, others will evolve in new directions. New themes will also enter the fray for the first time.
To help navigate the year ahead, we are releasing a series of reports that highlight the key trends to watch in 2022 and what they mean for ecosystem players. The analysis covers five key areas: 5G and network transformation; spectrum; IoT and the wider enterprise space; the digital consumer; and fixed and pay-TV markets. This Insight Spotlight addresses the 5G and network transformation opportunity.
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