TMT Predictions 2017

Predictions

Global Predictions 2018

See what the future holds for technology, media and telecommunications

Download the 2018 Global Predictions

The technology, media and entertainment, and telecommunications ecosystem remains as fascinating as ever in 2018. Will augmented reality become mainstream? How will machine learning affect the enterprise? What's the future of the smartphone? Deloitte Global invites you to read the latest Predictions report, designed to provide insight into transformation and growth opportunities over the next one to five years.



Summaries: Global 2018 TMT Predictions

Is there an #adlergic epidemic? Adblocking across media
Deloitte Global predicts that ten percent of North Americans over 18 will be engaged in four or more multiple simultaneous ad blocking behaviors in 2018: we call these people "adlergic." People are adblocking on computers and mobile devices, but are also blocking or avoiding ads using smart TVs, digital video recorders, streaming video on demand and streaming music services. And there are also low-tech ad blocking methods like changing the channel on TV or stations on the radio.
Is there an #adlergic epidemic? Adblocking across media
Augmented reality: on the cusp of reality
Deloitte Global predicts that over a billion smartphone users will create augmented reality (AR) content at least once in 2018, with three hundred million being regular users (creating content monthly) and tens of millions making and sharing content weekly. While AR is not new to 2018, what differs is quality, especially with regard to photo-realism. There is greater precision when identifying surfaces, and superior algorithms enable shadows for scenes lit by the sun or artificial light. The result is more realistic illusion.
Augmented reality: on the cusp of reality
Digital media: the subscription prescription
Deloitte Global predicts that by end-2018, 50 percent of adults in developed countries will have at least two online-only media subscriptions, and by end-2020, the average will have doubled to four. Online-only subscriptions have become more viable and easy to use, thanks to devices that facilitate access to online media subscription services, steadily rising broadband speeds, and ease of signup. Expansion of smartphone screens means that news articles can now be displayed very much like a newspaper column.
Digital media: the subscription prescription
The future of the smartphone: the era of invisible innovation
Deloitte Global predicts that by end-2023 penetration of smartphones among adults in developed countries will surpass 90 percent, a five-percentage point increase on 2018. Indeed, over the next five years the smartphone market should continue to grow in penetration, usage, unit shipments, total value and ASP. Additionally, it will consolidate its position as the primary access to digital service and content.
The future of the smartphone: the era of invisible innovation
Mobile-only: wireless home internet is bigger than you think
Deloitte Global predicts that a fifth of North Americans with internet access will get all of their home data access via cellular mobile networks (mobile-only) in 2018 and that a mixture of cellular and fixed wireless access (FWA) technologies could lead to 30-40 percent of the population relying on wireless for data at home by 2022. The reasons for this are varied: sometimes mobile is the only form of data connection available, especially outside cities. Sometimes factors such as income, age, living alone, or using better and faster networks with bigger monthly data allowances seem to play a role.
Mobile-only: wireless home internet is bigger than you think
Fasten your seatbelts: in-flight connectivity takes off
Deloitte Global predicts that in 2018 one billion passenger journeys (about a quarter of all passengers), will be on planes equipped with in-flight connectivity (IFC), enabling data and, where permissible, voice communications. This is a 20 percent increase on 2017. It should be more popular and lucrative than ever in 2018, thanks to the rising number of routes covered, higher connection speeds and greater data capacity per flight.
Fasten your seatbelts: in-flight connectivity takes off
Live thrives in an online world
Deloitte Global predicts that live broadcast and events will generate $545 billion in direct revenues in 2018, a one percent increase on the previous year. The vast majority of live revenues are forecast to come from traditional sectors, with the remainder from live streaming, and eSports. Live TV and radio broadcasting is expected to generate 72 percent of all revenues in 2018, with the largest component being broadcast TV, with $358 billion from advertising and subscriptions. Almost all live revenues are being generated by traditional formats, but new genres, primarily live streaming and eSports, are enjoying surging revenue, with China likely to remain the largest market for live streaming in 2018.
Live thrives in an online world
Hitting the accelerator: the next generation of machine-learning chips
Deloitte Global predicts that by the end of 2018 over 25 percent of all chips used to accelerate machine learning (ML) in the data center will be FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) and ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). These new kinds of chips should dramatically increase the use of machine learning, enabling applications to consume less power and at the same time become more responsive, flexible, and capable.
Hitting the accelerator: the next generation of machine-learning chips
Machine learning: things are getting intense
Deloitte Global predicts that in 2018 large and medium enterprises will intensify their use of machine learning (ML). The number of implementations and pilot projects using the technology will double compared to 2017, and will double again by 2020. Further, with enabling technologies such as ML APIs and specialized hardware available in the cloud, these advances will now be available to small as well as large companies.
Machine learning: things are getting intense
Smartphones are useful, but they can be distracting
Deloitte Global predicts that in 2018, 45 percent of global adult smartphone users will worry they are using their phones too much for certain activities, and 65 percent of 18-24 year olds will feel the same, contrary to expectations that younger users are oblivious to their phone habits. Both young and old are actually quite happy with using their phones a lot—even hundreds of times per day. They are focusing instead on controlling usage when it is distracting them from activities they would prefer to concentrate on.
Smartphones are useful, but they can be distracting
The kids are alright: no tipping point in T.V. viewing trends for 18-24 year-olds
Deloitte Global predicts that traditional TV viewing by 18-24 year olds will decline by 5-15 percent per year in the US, Canada and the UK for both 2018 and 2019. But while annual declines are predicted to be in this wide range, it is also possible that declines will be at the lower end of the zone as the impact of the forces that distracted young people from traditional TV start to weaken.
The kids are alright: no tipping point in T.V. viewing trends for 18-24 year-olds

Executive summary

Our objective with TMT Predictions is to identify critical inflection points that we believe should inform industry strategic thinking, and to explain how we think these will manifest over the next 12-18 months for companies in Technology, Media, Telecommunications (TMT), and other industries.

The future in Technology, Media & Telecommunications
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