2008: Glad it's over

By contrast, I think we all have unusually high hopes for 2009. A new president with new ideas and broad support for enacting those ideas is one reason for optimism. Another is a firm belief that telecommunications as an industry becomes only more important to global economic development, global efforts to be more environmentally conscious and our digital lifestyles in general.

This is, to be sure, an industry in transition, and that transition will be affected heavily by the state of the global economy — something that is, at best, fragile right now. Enterprises and consumers alike are watching their spending more closely than ever, which can delay deployment of new services and adoption of new technologies, even those that offer greater efficiency and higher function.

But there are trends that won't be denied, even if they are slowed. Wireline phone service will never regain popularity. Broadband availability will become universal, and speeds will go up. Home networks, many incorporating femtocells and in-home wireless devices to connect home appliances and electronics, will be more prevalent. Wireless data will grow exponentially. Video will find its way onto the home TV screen over multiple pipes, from multiple sources. More businesses will want to buy managed services to adopt new technology without complexity.

The important strategy for telecom service providers is to keep themselves at the center of this activity by focusing on building and operating the best broadband networks — wireline and wireless — that the industry can deliver, while at the same time offering the best customer service possible as well. As clichéd as it may be, focusing on the customer is paramount, especially in difficult times. Whether the customer is a small business that needs help figuring out how to make the leap to integrated voice and data without a massive capital outlay or a consumer who needs to cut back to lower costs, telecom service providers are in a position to step up, help out and earn customer loyalty that will pay dividends going forward.

The gloom and doom of 2008 is likely to overhang our shiny new 2009 for a few months, but I believe it's possible to see past the dark clouds to a better future, and I believe the telecom industry is going to be not just a part of that future but one of its catalysts.