2018 Trends to Watch: TMT Investments

摘要

Catalyst Mergers, acquisitions, and venture investments by telecoms, media, and technology (TMT) companies will accelerate in 2018 as companies from across the value chain strive to stay ahead of their competitors. This report sets out the trends that Ovum expects to see in innovation strategy among TMT companies, particularly as they relate to investments in start-ups that operate in the IoT and computer vision segments. It also examines how companies can respond to these trends. Ovum view Since 2011, companies in the TMT value chain have grown more active in investing in innovative areas, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) or augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), partly as a response to declines in traditional revenue streams. For IoT, the area that has seen the most money spent is chipsets and semiconductors - vendors are rushing to incorporate technology into their designs that will enable them to add connectivity to previously unconnected devices and sensors. Meanwhile, AR and VR start-ups are attracting increased investment not just from tech firms and operators, but also from content providers looking for new ways to tell stories and deliver content. With spending in the billions of dollars, Ovum expects more partnerships between operators and tech firms, and potentially sovereign wealth funds, to create more inroads into the IoT and computer vision ecosystems. Key messages 1. Expect further consolidation in the semiconductor sector as companies set their sights on IoT. 2. Media and content companies are looking to AR/VR for the potential new Pixar. 3. Operators and vendors will rush to catch up with Softbank’s $100bn Vision Fund.