Letter from the Editor
As the year that is known as 2018 draws to a close, I am inexplicably optimistic. Much of the uncertainty of the previous years seems to have diminished and the promise of a new year has me anxious with anticipation. That’s not to say it’s without risk – or the looming crises around the world aren’t cause for concern. It’s just that the impulsive fear has worn old and it's being parlayed by the potential that is being created with new innovations. And new innovations spawn prosperity.
Further, what was once hype – things such as 5G, IoT, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and blockchain – have become a reality and new, tangible use cases for each are poised to propagate in 2019. We’ve really just begun to scratch the surface of these new technologies and, as they continue to take root, innovation will blossom.
In this issue of Pipeline, we look at the top trends in telecom and how these new, technical advancements are being applied now. Today. We look at how managing change and data disruption is both the biggest threat and key to success for both enterprises and service providers. We explore 5G, and look at agile standards for network slicing, as well as real-world 5G business and use cases. We hear from Bluebird Network on data center trends and predictions for the new year. We also revisit IoT growth and identify key trends and monetization opportunities. We cover hot topics such as the application blockchain in telecom, smart cities, network virtualization, and more.
As always we hope you enjoy this and every issue of Pipeline, and we wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Scott St. John
Managing Editor
