T1 Rex’s Business Telecom Explainer turned five this month, with more than 800 posts published since its 2004 launch. Our initial goal was to clarify complex telecommunications services and provide businesses with competitive options. Over time, we’ve broadened our scope to encompass a wide range of products, services, and topics relevant to our audience. As we approach our second decade, let’s examine the “aughts” and explore potential future trends.
This explainer blog, as the name suggests, was launched alongside T1Rex.com. T1 Rex emerged in response to a groundbreaking telecommunications innovation. Telarus, a company, created GeoQuote (now patented), a software process automating business telecom service pricing. Their focus was on T1 lines, a widely used professional voice and data connection for businesses.
Prior to GeoQuote, obtaining a T1 line quote involved submitting forms or answering phone questions, followed by a lengthy wait for manual processing. With T1Rex.com’s automated GeoQuote form, business managers and network engineers could input basic information online and receive an accurate quote in under a minute. Today, it’s even more precise and offers a broader range of options beyond T1 lines.
GeoQuote transformed telecommunications marketing much like IBM computers revolutionized accounting, numerical control impacted manufacturing, and computer-aided design altered engineering. Automation accelerates processes, minimizes errors, and significantly boosts productivity compared to manual methods. There’s no turning back.
This shift is apparent in both our personal and professional lives. Social networking has dramatically transformed communication. Remember the website craze? Now, website creation is mostly limited to specific business or niche needs. Blogs replaced websites, and now social networks like MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn are replacing blogs. Even email is being overshadowed by Twitter, which seamlessly integrates with text messaging.
Twitter itself might feel outdated later this decade. Most cell phones now boast high-resolution cameras capable of capturing short videos. Picture and video messaging are gaining traction. It’s only a matter of time before platforms like Twitter incorporate video screens for instant video messages. While text remains essential for brief and discreet communication, video and audio add a new dimension.
Video is the Internet’s long-awaited “killer app,” evident in YouTube’s immense popularity. Today’s internet-enabled TVs and Blu-ray players allow for YouTube viewing on larger screens and access to online network programs. Missed TV shows are now conveniently accessible on computers. However, the ultimate viewing experience involves relaxing and watching on a TV, a reality rapidly approaching.
Video conferencing is breaking free from corporate confines, becoming increasingly common on personal computers. My iMac, equipped with a built-in camera and microphone, enables video chats. Many computers, including laptops and netbooks, offer similar features. The recent attempted terrorist attack has led to heightened airline security, making an already cumbersome travel experience potentially unbearable. This, coupled with the lingering economic downturn, might prompt business people and leisure travelers to explore alternatives. In many instances, a video conference can effectively replace a face-to-face meeting. As video conferencing gains momentum, anticipate advancements in quality and seamless photo/video sharing, akin to Cisco’s Telepresence.
Mobile video conferencing is also poised to take off. People comfortably navigate streets while texting on their phones; watching the person they’re speaking with in real-time is a natural progression. The once-futuristic concept of Dick Tracy’s wrist TV now seems almost archaic, with modern expectations demanding much larger screens.
The rise of video has understandably alarmed telecom carriers. Just as the shift from email to interactive websites necessitated the upgrade from dial-up to broadband, the transition to video and high-definition content compels carriers to enhance bandwidth. Verizon, proactively anticipating demand, has begun deploying fiber optic networks. Cable companies, for the same reason, are implementing DOCSIS 3.0. The concept of “too much bandwidth” will soon become obsolete. For businesses, Ethernet over copper or fiber seems to be the optimal solution. For connecting multiple business locations beyond metropolitan areas, MPLS networks are emerging as the preferred choice for high bandwidth at reasonable costs.
The prospect of widespread smartphone adoption has cellular carriers worried. Their existing tower infrastructure efficiently handles calls and texts. While 2.5G and 3G upgrades accommodate light web browsing and limited multimedia, handling the strain of continuous HD video streaming requires substantial 4G implementation. Even the FCC is exploring repurposing over-the-air TV channels for cellular broadband. A real concern exists regarding spectrum scarcity. Within the next decade, expect a major struggle for control over prime VHF and UHF frequencies.
A noteworthy emerging technology is Poken. This wireless technology utilizes near-field communication, employing low frequencies outside the crowded TV/Cellular/Microwave spectrum. Poken devices exchange data upon contact, aiming to replace traditional and social business cards with electronic data transfer and a centralized contact management portal. It seamlessly integrates with social networks and business sites, providing instant access to those you connect with. Poken has already gained immense popularity in Europe.
This is merely the tip of the technological iceberg. The coming decade promises numerous groundbreaking developments. Our goal is to continue covering these advancements, and we invite you to join us on this exciting journey.
