Seasoned telecoms entrepreneur Shena Brien from IP Telecom looks at what the future holds for Irish SMEs and the communications infrastructure they rely on.
Digital transformation shows no signs of slowing down across industries globally, and Ireland is no exception. Businesses of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises, are greatly impacted by the changes in the technological world.
The expansion of 5G and fibre optic networks, the ubiquity of cloud computing, and the continued rise of AI will certainly be a recurring theme in 2025. Thus, in order to keep up with the latest developments, across all sectors there will be considerable focus on systems and processes that rely on high-speed connectivity.
“Ireland’s businesses are going through radical technological changes, many of which are driven by advancements in the telecom sector”
Fully integrated communication systems, by offering fast, reliable, and cost-effective services, enable businesses to keep pace with the rapidly changing digital world. With the new year fast approaching, it is vital to take a look ahead at the transformations that are likely to become a reality for the telecom market, thereby impacting Irish SMEs across the board.
The rise of AI
It comes as no surprise that one of the major developments of recent years, impacting everything from college essays to financial planning, is AI. The rise of chief AI Officers (CAIOs) across companies proves that this is not merely a trend that will fade, but a serious technological movement that is impacting even the highest levels of leadership. This is predicted to carry into 2025, with more than a third (35%) of Irish SMEs having already adopted AI, while almost half (48%) of those who have not convinced they will do so in the next year, particularly in the customer service space.
With tools such as chatbots and virtual assistants, AI can play a vital role in assisting businesses and optimising business operations, and will no doubt change the functioning of many Irish SMEs in the next year. However powerful these developments are, they are there to supplement existing customer services rather than replace. AI is there to serve and with the telecom sector offering a wide range of tools in the customer service space, it will no doubt be a vital, complementary, part of the advancement of business in 2025.
The Internet of Things’ (IoT) continues to shake up the B2B space, with the current 18.8 million connected devices only expected to grow in 2025. By leveraging IoT, SMEs have the opportunity to enable smarter inventory management, predictive maintenance, and asset tracking, making it especially attractive for those in the manufacturing, automotive, and retail industries. Come 2025, planning for long-term IoT implementation (alongside greater automation) is crucial for SMEs to grow their efficiency and operations while staying connected.
No tool can be used effectively, however, without the right connectivity or infrastructure. That is why the acceleration of fibre network connectivity across both Siro and National Broadband Ireland (NBI) networks is greatly welcome. Recent reporting has shown that premises with fibre connections from NBI in previously under-served areas are set to hit 300,000 by the end of the year. Having a strong fibre backbone is core to improving connectivity for businesses across Ireland thus allowing them to make the most of the opportunities that changes in technology can bring, as well as ensuring that from a spatial planning point of view not all businesses must be sited in traditional hubs (contributing to issues with transportation and housing infrastructure).
Fibre and 5G
One area, however, where additional resources need to be focused is our 5G infrastructure. Having fibre connectivity to your premises is well and good when it’s functioning as it should, however, should winter storms or even a pickaxe in the wrong place occur – where is the fail-over option? Businesses, especially those in rural areas, need to ensure a ‘belt and braces’ approach to their connectivity to ensure they have the backup plan should something go wrong.
The rollout of 5G technology continues to advance, with global connections predicted to hit 7.7 billion by 2028. 5G is the key that unlocks IoT. Not all devices are within range of the WiFi connection and thus for Ireland to truly make the most of the opportunities that IoT and smart services can bring, our 5G coverage must be world-class. As the world is growing ever more connected and the tools necessary for remaining up-to-date require increasingly strong network speeds, the need for advancement in 5G access becomes apparent. With the government, in its National Broadband Plan (NBP), aiming to have 5G networks available in all populated areas by the end of the decade, this technology will make the lives of Irish businesses increasingly efficient, providing them with faster network speeds, lower latency, and greater network reliability.
However, despite efforts to have 5G networks spread across the country, regional disparities persist, with rural areas of the country often being unable to access high-speed connectivity via this medium. Whilst the National Broadband Ireland plans include a wide roll out of rural fibre connectivity, the gaps in 5G in rural areas to support failover and off WiFi devices becomes apparent.
5G technology has played a major role in revolutionising the way businesses function, especially by allowing employees to work from a variety of locations. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, remote working has become a major aspect of the professional world. While some companies are attempting to limit it, it is unlikely to be fully phased out successfully. The reality, therefore, is that businesses must ensure efficient, accessible ways of working for all employees, regardless of their location. The speed and reliability of both fibre and 5G networks is a major factor here, as is the fact that remote working is a product of cloud computing.
By storing their IT infrastructure on the cloud, as opposed to localised hardware, SMEs can offer their employees the flexibility of working from home. This work-from-home generation can access their work communication tools via cloud-hosted phone systems (VoIP) from anywhere, on any device. Moreover, the storing of vital data on a cloud instead of local software greatly benefits those working in the healthcare, finance, and retail sectors, as cloud computing enables them to easily and quickly access the large amount of data required to run their businesses smoothly. With the market in Ireland expected to grow by 98% from 2023 to 2027, there is little doubt that cloud computing provides an essential instrument for SMEs looking to become future-proof in 2025.
Ireland’s businesses are going through radical technological changes, many of which are driven by advancements in the telecom sector. With the growing adoption of AI, voice and connectivity providers are playing a key role in helping businesses effectively enhance their customer service and efficiency.
The growth of the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to offer new ways of working from anywhere, while the deployment of 5G networks, fibre optic networks, and cloud computing will ensure that businesses are better connected than ever before.
Thus, to remain competitive, Irish SMEs must shape up by embracing this evolution, both in 2025 and beyond.
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