Telecom operators are under persistent pressure to manage capital expenditures related with network deployment and to reduce network operating costs. Managed services providers help network operators realize those goals. The next stage in evolution is to outsource value-added services including content, commerce, and next generation communication services. This is a key development as network operators are poised to lose revenue and margins both do to marginalization of bearer services (voice and data both) and the need for value-added service (VAS) applications.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communications is a technology that is transforming the way that business is conducted, impacting everything from traditional telephony and IT operations to ERP, SCM, public safety, homeland security, and more. Traditionally the realm of utilities and SCADA systems, M2M is expanding into many new industries, market segments, applications, and use cases. Several new areas hold great promise including connected vehicles and healthcare.