Defining the leaders of the future

It has been clear for some time now that mobile connectivity is outpacing fixed-line connectivity as the communications growth is being driven mainly in developing countries that are typically characterized by poor fixed infrastructure. Mobile communications offer a cheaper and more efficient solution to connectivity and have surged in usage and applications. However, in the past several years, telecom companies in many markets have come under significant pressure from Internet-based over-the-top (OTT) players. Voice communications have been commoditized to a large degree from the advent of OTT applications, and for many operators data (non-voice); revenues have been their saving grace. On the cost side, heavy network and IT investments along with increasing operating expenditures reduced telco profit margins and cash flows significantly, placing them under financial pressure. The global...