As we begin a promising new year for business and technology, let’s explore some key trends for 2011 and how to leverage them.

Bandwidth demands will continue to escalate this year, as they do annually. The economic recovery will likely generate increased internet traffic as more individuals return to work. Expect bandwidth demand to surge proportionally with employment, if not more. During the recession, businesses learned to enhance individual productivity by investing in technology. Many of these tools rely on internet connectivity and private networks for seamless collaboration with colleagues, suppliers, and clients.

As the workforce re-enters, they’ll encounter evolved roles and tools. While connectivity has expanded, new facets of business, like social media and video conferencing, have emerged. Physical documents might not vanish entirely, but their growth can’t match the surge in digital data. Printing may even seem outdated and impractical when an iPad becomes your primary business tool.

Cloud computing was a hot topic in 2010. The transition to a completely cloud-based environment is still in its early stages. We can anticipate a growing shift toward cloud services, encompassing both computing and storage. Just as the client-server model streamlined the management of countless desktops and software, cloud services will eliminate physical software and updates. This shift will also phase out many private data centers and their associated energy and cooling demands. Everything will be hosted remotely.

However, blindly trusting the ever-reliable cloud has its downsides. What happens when the cloud functions flawlessly, but you can’t access it? It’s analogous to locking your keys in a running car. Therefore, WAN connectivity will become even more critical. Not only will bandwidth requirements increase as employees access cloud services instead of local servers, but redundancy will also be vital to maintain connectivity. This goes beyond a simple backup line; you’ll need diverse connections that can withstand natural disasters or accidental outages.

Mobile connectivity needs are also on the rise. We’ve become accustomed to 3G’s convenience, making a return to slower connections unlikely. In fact, the push for 4G will intensify alongside cloud services and tablet adoption. Carriers already face limited backhaul bandwidth, and both carriers and the FCC grapple with finite wireless spectrum. Expect a scramble for bandwidth as every existing spectrum user is scrutinized to determine if their claim outweighs the demands of the 4G wave.

As Telexplainer primarily focuses on telecom and networking, we’re keenly observing bandwidth markets. This year, many businesses may realize they both require and can afford fiber optic connectivity. This will likely involve Carrier Ethernet from a competitive provider, rather than conventional SONET/SDH services. For companies with multiple locations or international operations, MPLS networks provide extensive reach at lower prices than ever before.

Is your business prepared for the year ahead? Do your network connections feel restrictive, or are your per-Mbps costs excessive? If so, now’s the ideal time to check prices and availability of WAN networks services. The sooner you upgrade your service, the more you’ll benefit throughout the year.