TalkTalk Business is proud to be a trusted partner of CIO Watercooler, a vibrant networking community for IT leaders and technology experts. We co-host events for the community with the aim of fostering meaningful discussions among these leaders. 

On October 9th, 2024, our Director of Sales, Ian Cairns, and Head of Public Sector and Solution Sales Mark Cunningham, travelled to London to lead an engaging discussion on the connectivity revolution and the role of innovative network solutions within this transformation. At TalkTalk Business, we prioritise helping our customers stay ahead of industry changes and prepare for the future. 

During the event, we delved into the connectivity revolution, which is being driven by market changes, the rise of alternative networks (AltNets), and the widespread adoption of Software-Defined Networking (SDN). While the detailed discussions from the day remain confidential, we are excited to share some details about the four key topics that were discussed as being important to the connectivity revolution: 

Market Changes Mean Organisations Must Adapt   

The world of connectivity is evolving rapidly. With the rise of AltNets, the sun setting on 3G, and the copper switch-off scheduled for 2027, organisations must adapt to these changes. Many companies are re-evaluating their technology stacks and connectivity solutions, sparking a revolution in the industry. 

The Explosion of AltNets 

AltNets have revolutionised connectivity. Over 100 AltNets have emerged in recent years, providing faster full-fibre connections to hard-to-reach areas of the UK. This has led to better internet access, more choice, and increased competition, transforming many business sectors. 

However, the story doesn’t end here. While AltNets have primarily focused on consumers, their role in supporting businesses will unfold over the next few years. At TalkTalk Business, we offer a service that consolidates all your AltNet requirements into a single contract, complemented by enterprise-level managed service support. 

IoT Device Growth 

By 2033, it’s predicted there will be nearly 40 billion active IoT devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) extends beyond new devices connected to the internet. IoT sensors can measure everything from heat and moisture to energy usage, as well as space utilisation and much more. This revolution will be powered by non-traditional cellular technologies that support IoT devices - balancing data rate, power efficiency, coverage, and deployment complexity to meet diverse application needs. 

The Transition to SDN 

Traditional Wide Area Networks (WANs) rely on physical devices across multiple locations, necessitating site visits for management, which increases energy consumption and carbon emissions. 

In contrast, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Software Defined Wide Area Networking (SD-WAN) offer intelligent traffic routing with central cloud-based management. SD-WAN in particular reduces the need for physical hardware and site visits, thereby lowering energy consumption. 

SDN adoption is becoming more common, with evolving overlays that separate the application and control layers from the network infrastructure layer, providing more control, flexibility and transparency.  

Join Us for More Insights 

Did you find these brief insights useful? For more details, join us at a future CIO Watercooler session. Our next date will be announced soon. We hope to see you there!