The COVID-19 pandemic is a catalyst for change in the world of technology. Experts from the consulting firm Deloitte point out in the "TMT Predictions 2021" report that during just a few months of crisis, the technology industry achieved more than it had in five years of operating under normal conditions.

This can also be observed in medicine, as exemplified by video visits. In the coming year, the market for specialized solutions designed for this form of contact with a doctor will reach a value of $8 billion. In 2021, we will also observe intensive development of radio access networks, 5G, and cloud migration.

This is already the twentieth edition of Deloitte's global report, discussing the most important trends affecting the future of the technology, media, and telecommunications sector worldwide. This year, the experts summarized the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individual trends and analyzed which of them will develop in 2021.

The triumph of AI and cloud solutions

Artificial intelligence (AI) has once again appeared in Deloitte's report. This means that its application possibilities are constantly growing. Currently, AI is reaching a stage of maturity and enables comprehensive digital transformation of technology and telecommunications companies.

In 2021, the value of the global market for edge solutions, i.e., distributed IT resource architecture, will amount to $12 billion. We expect that the basis for expansion in this area will be the use of innovative AI solutions in telecommunications – especially in 5G networks, as well as through the offerings of providers of scalable cloud computing services, who will use artificial intelligence to continuously optimize their infrastructure. Such companies will become leaders characterized by a high level of capitalization and will pass on good practices to others – says Sławomir Lubak, Partner, leader of the Telecommunications, Media and Technology industry, Deloitte.

By 2023, 70 percent of enterprises may use the most modern technologies of this type for data processing. Thanks to this, they will achieve a new generation of networking and operational efficiency. At the same time, edge-type solutions will enable even faster, cheaper, and safer operations wherever they are used.

In 2020, the value of spending on cloud solutions decreased slightly. This is mainly due to the reduction in capital expenditures caused by the pandemic and the global recession.

It should be noted, however, that the cloud services market is still relatively resilient to the effects of the current crisis. Certain methods of measurement even show a higher growth rate than in 2019. This is the result of increased demand for cloud services when the whole world began working remotely and demand for broadly understood digital services increased. In 2021-2025, revenue growth will remain at the 2019 level and amount to 30 percent. However, we do not rule out a higher value, because enterprises will implement cloud technologies to increase savings while simultaneously improving their agility and innovation – says Marcin Knieć, Director in Cloud Engineering at Deloitte.

Technology in the service of sport

Digital transformation is also taking place in sport. Technological solutions such as vision systems, machine learning, advanced wireless connectivity, or body-worn sensors are changing the formula of training, competition, and shaping sports careers. In every such system, the foundation is the players' data. Therefore, the question of their rational and ethical use arises. Deloitte experts predict that by the end of 2021, professional sports leagues will develop and implement new rules for collecting, using, and commercializing information concerning athletes.

Controversial 5G

The requirements set by consumers mean that mobile network operators must provide them with the latest and fastest technologies. For their services, they use specialized radio access technology. Many operators have made significant progress in the process of virtualizing core networks and have thus achieved significant operational gains.

Currently, cellular distributed networks, which operate based on radio access network (RAN) technology, are very popular. To support 5G technology, operators must replace or strengthen their existing equipment, and the implementation of an open, virtual architecture called "Open RAN" will become the standard. According to Deloitte's report, there are currently 35 such networks operating worldwide – many of them still as tests. Experts expect that by 2023, more than 80 percent of core wireless networks will be virtualized. A clear increase in interest in the technology will likely initiate a significant trend that will revolutionize the telecommunications industry.

A similar revolution was triggered in 2020 by 5G technology. In 2021, it will also be one of the main topics in the TMT industry, strongly polarizing consumer opinions. Many of them fear the negative impact of 5G through radiation. A consumer survey conducted by Deloitte in May and June of this year showed that at least one fifth of adults believe that 5G technology poses a health risk.

The highest quality at home and at work

In recent years, 4K-resolution televisions have gained great popularity. The coming year may be a breakthrough in this area, and the implementation of the 8K standard will allow for even greater image sharpness.

We predict that in 2021, 8K technology will generate revenues of around $5 billion. The primary source will be sales of televisions with this resolution. We forecast that 1.5 million receivers will reach consumers worldwide at an average price of $3,300. The 8K standard will gain particular popularity in the segment of the largest televisions, and additional revenue will come from the sale of equipment – cameras, monitors, or computers used to create and produce 8K content – says Ścibor Łąpieś, Director, Technology M&A at Deloitte.

The highest quality of equipment is also the future of the labor market. In 2021, thanks to purchases made by enterprises and educational institutions, sales of gaming headsets will double compared to 2019, as will sales of related software and services. In some markets, the growth rate of sales of this type of headset has already accelerated, which is related to the shift to virtual forms of training in order to avoid the risk of coronavirus infection.

To the doctor for a video visit

The pandemic has also changed the approach to doctor visits. Both patients and doctors were not convinced by video consultations. Now, however, many of them are ready to operate in this mode for a longer period.

In the coming year, the percentage share of online medical visits will increase from 1 percent currently to 5 percent. Although this may seem like little, it is worth remembering that in 2019 alone, in 36 OECD countries, 8.5 billion doctor visits took place with a total value of $500 billion. Five percent of that number is more than 400 million video visits worth about $25 billion. The pandemic has shown that online visits have many advantages, including saving time – says Robert Kauf, Senior Manager in the Strategy, Analytics, M&A team.

The popularization of this and other forms of remote contact between doctor and patient means increased demand for the technologies that enable it. Deloitte experts predict that in 2021, the market for specialized solutions designed for this type of visit will reach a value of $8 billion.