Telecommunication providers are upgrading their IT and connectivity infrastructures because they need to provide affordable, reliability and high-quality data and voice services. Security is one of the challenges they face as threats powered by new technology emerge.

Operational and technical innovations are necessary to meet customer expectations of total security. Various trends, such as the following five, are set to reshape the telecom industry and bring about innovation on a vast scale.

1. The Internet of Things (IoT)

In the following years, telecom providers will increasingly use IoT to offer a more personalized user experience. The IoT is a network of connected devices that can communicate with each other, and it is possible to control and monitor them remotely.

Smart cities take IoT a step further with an interconnected network that residents can access, often via mobile apps. The network allows users to manage daily activities, from finding a parking spot to communicating with local authorities.

Telecommunication providers are realizing the benefit of using lightweight-yet-strong fiberglass conduit, commonly called RTRC, instead of heavier costlier conduit materials such as PVC-coated steel. It helps them to save money, streamline installation, and ensure long-term performance. HazGuard fiberglass conduit system products from FRE Composites protect all types of cable networks and distribution systems worldwide.

2. 5G networks

An increasing demand for high-speed connectivity has resulted in the next generation of networks. Telecoms around the world will be looking to offer 5G. While 4G networks are application-centered, 5G networks are user-centric. The difference in architecture allows for various improvements, such as the rate of data transmission.

Lower end-to-end delays and less connectivity cost will offer enhanced user experiences. With 5G, providers are able to provide consistent, uninterrupted connectivity worldwide.

There is increasing interest from other industries in 5G, too, as they see the vast potential of the technology to revolutionize the way they deliver goods and services. 5G networks will enable more detailed virtual reality, higher resolution video, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and more.

3. Artificial intelligence

The addition of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to smartphones allows for more sophisticated functionality. Speech recognition and the use of digital assistants like Siri or Alexa is becoming commonplace. Some AI applications being used in the telecommunications sector are customer service chatbots and speech and voice services for customers.

AI is also being used to optimize networks and for predictive maintenance of networks. Through predictive analytics, it is possible for telecoms to get insights from the data they collect. Augmented reality and virtual reality technology may seem futuristic but they are already in play and we will see more of them in the future.

4. Advanced security measures

Organizations, lawmakers and users are increasingly concerned about the security of infrastructure and data as breaches take place and customer data is hacked. As networks become more software-defined, the infrastructure is as vulnerable to attack as the data sent through the network.

Holistic network security is becoming more important than ever and encryption is likely to transition to being more pervasive.

5. Diversified ecosystems

Service providers will be consolidating their offerings and making sure their networks are ready for future technological advancements. They will also be looking at forming alliances that could unlock competitive agility.

Industrial ecosystems consist of a network of cross-industry organizations working together and telecom companies are uniquely suited for these alliances.

The introduction of IoT networks with 5G capabilities could make collaboration between companies seamless and advance the application of new technologies across networks. Telecom providers are likely to be at the forefront of widely implementing advances in technology over the next decade.

While the internet has become a useful tool to stay in touch with loved ones, many predators are using it to acquire and groom targets they can abuse. The sophisticated process that they call “grooming” involves befriending and gaining a child’s trust and sometimes that of the family and friends too.

Pedophiles are extremely good at manipulating anyone by appearing as kind and helpful people; however, there are ways to identify the stages of their process to make it stop.

Targeting and building trust

To target and make kids trust them, predators try to be friends with their potential victims by engaging in conversations to help them know the child better. Through these conversations, they ascertain if a kid is unhappy, needy, or lacks adequate parental supervision as children with these problems usually become their victims.

Being aware of who is entering your child’s life is important to stop this from happening, so make sure that your kids feel free to discuss everything with you. If you can’t get your kids to open up, try using technologies like the spy phone app to look out for strangers asking your child personal questions.

Making emotional connections

Once predators have gotten to know a child, they begin forming a relationship with your child by discussing their school life and family dynamics. After making conversation about a child’s life, the predators try to fill a need that may be lacking the potential victim’s personal or family life.

For example, if your family is going through a rough patch financially, predators will offer your child money or try to pay some of your bills. If your child feels neglected, they may also try taking him/her to fun places and buy gifts, so be careful of strangers who are overly generous to your child.

Calculating odds

After forming a relationship with your child, a predator will try to determine the level of risk you pose to him as a parent/guardian. At this stage, predators start asking questions that reveal how closely your child is monitored on the internet and real life.

They will try to see how close a child is to his family and find out if a child will report them should they do something. Predators prefer staying away from children who are closely monitored, have close relationships with their parents or guardians, and from children who have been warned of predators online and in real life.

Luring children away from others

When predators think that your child can be victimized, they will try to make him/her trust them completely by making a child believe they have a special bond. Through making the child believe that they are loved and cared for, predators will look for/create situations where they can be alone.

They will often do this by reinforcing the false idea of a special bond with the child and arrange fun trips or offer to help with schoolwork. To convince their victims that they care about them, predators will give strong compliments about a target’s personality, looks or tell them openly that they are special. 

Normalizing inappropriate behavior

To make inappropriate behavior become normal, predators will introduce sexual themes like masturbation and inquiring about their target’s virginity. Other predators even start talking openly about sexual activities and get into detail to make sexual content and language become an everyday thing to a child.

Pedophiles also discuss sexual behavior with children to prepare them for real interactions. After talking about obscene things, they may also start sending photos of naked kids. To fully prepare a child for real interactions, predators will also start porn videos, so you have to act immediately if you see anything like this in your kid’s phone/computer.