Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2015 in the subject Instructor Plans: Computing / Data Processing / IT / Telecommunication, grade: 1,0, University of Applied Sciences Technikum Vienna (Telekommunikation und Internettechnologien), course: Advanced Technologies, language: English, abstract: The information and communications sector is experiencing a major transformation leading to a quick emerging novel industry landscape. The well-known business model of telecommunication operators is continuously being affected by the intensifying struggle between operators. These aspects do not only involve an increasing saturation within the communications market, but also contributes to a rising substitution behavior triggered by well-established Internet businesses.

In this context, the Ovum Global Telecoms Market Outlook 2013-2018 predicts for the coming five years a global increase of mobile lines of about 25% (e.g. 8.1 billion in total by 2018, the relevant growth coming primarily from emerging economies). However, the outlook for the fixed-network market does not look that promising: a 5% reduction in voice revenues for the period 2012 - 2018 is expected. Other important features that influence the economic achievement of a telecommunications provider are represented by the current regulatory provisions along with the price level the provider can realize. Obviously, this price level generally mirrors the customer behavior and the development (stage) of a particular market.

In this sense, the mobile industry has certainly the potential to set free even superior benefits and contribute to meets the EU sustainability and innovation targets defined in the EU 2020 strategy [14]. In fact, the European mobile industry is no longer restricted to the provision of basic voice and data services, but is rather taking to an active role in offering high-speed broadband access and (data) connectivity. This involves a new third wave of connectivity (e.g. beyond tablets and laptops), comprising cars and buildings and having undoubtedly the prospect of connecting almost anything and anyone (the "Connected Life" as the GSMA denotes it).