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title: World Telecom Labs: Simon Pearson's 2016 Trends - Developing Telecoms
description: Plugging gaps in connectivity to connect the unconnected has long been a challenge for emerging markets. WTL’s Simon Pearson suggests how this might be addressed in 2016…
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date: 2016-01-12T18:33:42Z
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Plugging gaps in connectivity to connect the unconnected has long been a challenge for emerging markets. WTL’s Simon Pearson suggests how this might be addressed in 2016…

#### Which developing or emerging markets (regions / countries) do you cover?

Sale of telecom equipment to operators in Africa & Middle East.

#### What are your main hardware and/or services focus areas?

Carrier-grade VoIP SBCs, switches & gateways. SMS Hub platforms & Rural Connectivity Solutions.

#### What are the top market and customer trends that will drive change in your area during 2016, and why?

- Connecting the Unconnected will be a growing theme.
- In established carrier networks the trend to virtualisation will continue.
- Margin erosion in voice thanks to increased competition and OTTs will mean that cost savings will be looked for by existing operators.
 
#### What are the solutions that will make the greatest impact in your area during 2016, and why?

We expect small cell solutions to be deployed in conjunction with satellite backhaul to rapidly fill connectivity gaps.

#### What changes need to be made to speed up developments and what can hold them back?

Spectrum availability can be a major issue for new operators. There is no MVNO movement in many developing markets and this is where much innovation comes from elsewhere in the world.

Many governments seem more concerned with revenue-raising taxation gateways than with broadening connectivity.

#### Which technologies will be the most important in emerging markets in 2016?

Small Cells; OTT; Low-cost Smartphones; Remote Connectivity (eg internet.org).

All these selections revolve around the theme of Connecting the Unconnected.

Simon Pearson is Business Development Director at World Telecom Labs.

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