In 2017, more than 200 operators around the world planned to incorporate 5G network architecture elements into their 4G networks.

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Deloitte’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) division has released its latest report, TMT Predictions 2017, which contains some interesting predictions for the telecommunications sector in 2017.

Fingerprint technology: Biometric security technology users reach billions

Deloitte said that the total number of active users of terminals equipped with fingerprint readers will reach 1 billion by the beginning of 2017. Each sensor will be used an average of 30 times a day, with a cumulative global usage of more than 10 trillion times.

Deloitte notes that approximately 40% of all smartphones in use in developed countries will have fingerprint readers by the end of 2017, up 10% from 30% in mid-2016. Of those with smartphones that already have fingerprint readers, 80% use the sensor at least occasionally, up from 69% in mid-2016.

“Billions of smartphones and tablets are expected to begin processing and collecting multiple types of biometric inputs in 2017, including facial recognition, voice patterns and iris scans, but fingerprints will lead the pack,” said Paul Lee, head of Deloitte’s technology, media and telecommunications research group. “This rapid adoption of the technology is likely to be complemented by other applications that can use fingerprint readers to provide fast and secure authentication.”

“Fingerprints have proven to be the most powerful form of biometric security in smartphones, and the concept of fingerprint security is gaining traction. This is important: as fingerprint security technology becomes more common, consumers will find it easier to purchase goods and services using their smartphones, which will increase their willingness to use this technology for shopping.

5G: Continued Evolution

The TMT 2017 Forecast report also states that the rollout of 5G (fifth generation cellular networks) will make significant progress in 2017. Enhanced 4G networks, namely LTE-Advanced and LTE Advanced Pro, will incorporate many of the core components of 5G networks and are expected to be commercially deployed.

It is expected that by the end of 2017, more than 200 operators around the world may offer LTE-A on some of their networks, and more than 20 operators will have LTE-A Pro networks. These networks will be equipped with multiple 5G network core components and provide users, enterprises and operators with several of the most important features of 5G networks, including significantly faster speeds, lower latency, and support for low-power IoT devices and sensors.

Dan Adams, Deloitte Telecommunications Lead Partner UK, commented: “The technology building blocks that will enable 5G readiness are being deployed in 2017 and are already in place in some markets. By the end of 2017, more than 200 operators are expected to offer this ‘5G Lite’ service over their networks, enabling hundreds of millions of users to take advantage of fastest speeds of hundreds of megabits per second.

Adams noted: “5G is likely to have an explosive impact. Its long evolution has already begun, with important interim milestones such as LTE-A and LTE-A Pro. There is no doubt that 5G is a significant and complex upgrade process, a big explosion after years of continuous upgrades to 4G networks.”