10 Mobile Predictions Your Business Needs To Know For 2018

By Marco Nielsen, Vice President, Managed Mobility Services, Stratix Corporation

With businesses counting on digital transformation to drive competitive advantage in 2018, many are busy planning their IT initiatives for the coming year. Mobile is a central part of that strategy, as new high-profile devices from Apple and Samsung continue to bolster enterprise demand. A recent Strategy Analytics report found that enterprise smartphone shipments reached 107 million units in 2017, a 15 percent year-over-year increase.

As businesses align their mobile goals and budgets, what new developments do they need to be aware of? Here are 10 trends poised to have the greatest impact on enterprise mobility in 2018 and beyond.

1. Smartphones with no strings attached. Unlocked phones will finally make larger inroads in the U.S. market as subsidies start to dwindle and disappear completely. This opens up more possibilities for businesses for device acquisition, as well as for financial planning to avoid large capital expenditure spikes.
2. eSIM technology. More devices will feature eSIM technology, making it easier to switch providers without requiring physical access. eSIM also enables telecom operator automation by utilizing their platform APIs.
3. Machine learning on mobile. Machine learning is already a part of our lives through voice assistant products around the home and on mobile devices. In 2018, these capabilities will only increase in scope and sophistication.