Report published 14 January 2021
People across the world use communications services for a wide range of purposes, and the technology that drives these services is constantly evolving.
As the UK’s communications regulator, it’s important that Ofcom is aware of the new types of technology that are likely to come into use in the near future, and to consider the effects that these developments could have on the communications services we use every day. This helps us to make sure people and businesses get the most out of these services, as well as helping us to protect them from any risks that might arise.
This report shines a light on the innovative, emerging technologies that could shape the communications industry in the future. We’ve selected a sample of technologies based on the responses we received to our call for inputs and the discussions we had with thought leaders in both academia and industry. We will continue to identify other important technologies as they emerge and in sectors beyond those considered in this report.
Some experts have contributed videos to our report. Each video explains how the emerging technology could shape communications in the future.