Cloud Communications Alliance meetings are one of the most crucial learning opportunities available in the communications space today. Last week in London, the CCA met with service providers and associated vendors, UC Today were fortunate enough to attend.
We were asked to come and see what was happening in the executive side of the UC world, and hear from some of the market leaders in the UCaaS vendor ecosystem. It was a pleasure to spend time with the CCA. There were countless business leaders there to learn from, what’s more, because the event was closely aligned with the Cavell Group, there were also plenty of exclusive insights to take advantage of too.
Exploring the 5G Opportunity
The CCA always have their fingers on the pulse when it comes to understanding the evolution of the UC market. There were various hot
topics to discuss this year, and the Chairman of the CCA, Clark Peterson, also took to the stage to announce that 2020 would be a transformational year for the industry. Spirits were high throughout the conference, although it was easy to see the impact that the Coronavirus had on the attendance levels.
This year, the event missed out on a lot of attention from International and European members that simply couldn’t risk travelling in the wake of the epidemic. Clearly, the effects that Coronavirus is having on the business landscape as we know it are more significant than many people believe.
However, as noted in the conference by many thought leaders, the epidemic also highlights how the new technology in the cloud communications landscape can assist in these complex situations. Options to communicate over the cloud offer connectivity when remote working is the only option.
Elsewhere, the conversations covered things like the rise of 5G, and how this new connectivity standard is set to disrupt the marketplace. Dean Bubley from Disruptive Analysis, came to the event to discuss the opportunities that 5G can offer from a service provider perspective. It was excellent to get an update on the potential of this groundbreaking technology, as well as what it might do for the cloud communications landscape.
Opportunities for The Service Provider of Tomorrow
The discussions on everything from the advantages of cloud communications, to the possibilities of 5G were very engaging. Although there are only 53 live 5G networks currently available at the moment worldwide, there are a lot of opportunities on the horizon. Indeed, as some experts commented during the event, 5G connectivity could be a hidden gem for all landscapes.
The speed and reliability of 5G networks could deliver better failover and backup solutions for businesses around the globe. It could also deliver temporary site solutions, and place super-fast bandwidth into streets that haven’t been able to access fibre.
The event went on well into the evening, with lots happening from every angle. Lots of new partnerships were discussed, as well as insights into the massive increase in European opportunities right now. The momentum for European growth seems to be accelerating, while focus on the US side is slowing down somewhat. Europe to Europe deals are offering new ways for existing companies to expand and tap into new functionality.
Looking Ahead with the CCA
There was plenty of useful information and guidance to be collected at this year’s CCA events. As companies continue to grow and look for new ways to compete in the market, the CCA also discussed things like which companies are presenting the biggest forms of competition in the marketplace. Google and Amazon, Salesforce, and Zoom were all mentioned. Additionally, there was a focus on understanding the impact of not just traditional competitors, but big brands coming in from adjacent markets too.
The conversations at the CCA event largely revolved around how people could adapt their service organisations to either embrace the competitors, or overcome the latest threats from companies like Slack, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon.
It was an amazing event, with lots of great information to take away, and plenty of high-value insights from thought-leaders around the globe. We’re sure every attendee walked away, feeling the excitement associated with 2020 becoming a massive year for the industry.
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