The telecommunications industry is a dynamic integration of technology, consumer trends and globalization. Companies are creating strategic alliances, purchases and mergers to increase market share and grow infrastructure. In Africa and the Middle East there are over 70 wireless providers in 20 countries increasing the likelihood of continued consolidations. Consumer habits are demanding faster, more efficient, and less costly access to information making wireless internet hotspots and wireless broadband access cards common in today’s marketplace. Wireless companies are signing alliances to target service needs such as providing customers with GPS navigation systems on handsets and affordable in flight mobile access. Companies continue to focus on retaining current customers and increasing revenue per customer as overall market penetration rates have slowed.

Costs are skyrocketing in chasing innovative technology, yet customers continue to demand upgrades such as voice over internet (VoIP) to improve communications capabilities, radio frequency identification (RFID) to optimize supply chains and Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) certification to allow interoperability among different branded devices. Wireless providers combat churn rates by offering subsidies for handset upgrades, attractive family plans and inexpensive data packages. Mobile carriers initiate customer growth through rebates and alliances one sole provider for specific product lines. Companies continue to weigh the need for partnerships and consolidations while remaining cognizant of antitrust and compliance issues. To remain competitive in this evolving environment, telecommunication companies need to reduce the cost of development, to optimize the deployment of new technologies, to manage total tangible and intangible assets and to service the needs of customers. There is a necessity to utilize sophisticated and integrated operational and process excellence together creating synergistic results.