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Technology, Media & Telecommunications Predictions

Our view on major trends from the industry

Knowing what will come next in tech, media and telcoms trends has become a key competitive differentiator and can give your business a leading edge. That is why each year we present our view on the major trends from the industry that will impact UK businesses.

This 18th edition of Deloitte's Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT) Predictions presents a fascinating array of trends, each developing at its own momentum, which will impact UK businesses and consumers in 2019 and beyond.

Many milestones will be reached this year. Progress will be exponential in some fields. But in other areas the way in which we live and work may shift imperceptibly.

Based on conversations with over 100 industry executives and more than 10,000 online interviews with members of the public, our endeavour is to provide a considered point of view on key industry trends. This year’s TMT Predictions explore 8 topics, from smart speakers and 3D printing, to 5G and radio.

To find out more about all of the trends in TMT Predictions 2019, visit www.deloitte.co.uk/tmtpredictions.

Our predictions and Brexit

Our predictions of the major TMT industry trends could, of course, be impacted by Brexit developments. There remains a high level of uncertainty in relation to Brexit, and how it will impact the TMT sector. At the time of writing, the meaningful vote in the UK parliament to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement (governing the legally binding terms of the UK’s exit) and the Political Declaration (the brief summary of the intent of the UK and the EU in terms of future relations) has not taken place. If the deal passes, there remains significant uncertainty as to what the future EU/UK relationship will be beyond the transition period, and how this will impact on business. If the deal is rejected, what happens next is unclear; however, the possibility of the UK leaving the EU without agreed terms (the ‘no-deal’ scenario’) would likely increase given it is the default option if nothing else changes by 29 March.

The government have published a series of papers relevant to the TMT sector in a no-deal scenario, ranging from broadcasting and video on demand, to mobile roaming and data protection. More broadly, the industry faces disruptive changes that could affect supply chain, access to talent, licences and permissions, intellectual property protection, and data flows; all of which could substantially disrupt the way they do business. 

Whatever the outcome, we know that Brexit will change the conditions in which businesses operate in, both for those based in or trading with the UK. The winners from these changes will be those that have assessed the potential threats and opportunities and prepared for them.