The new network normal of 2021

Corona virus has impacted the world in previously unimaginable ways. Here are some fanciful and other serious predictions for the postpandemic normal

- TERRY YOUNG

The year 2020 has been a challenging for the entire world. Between the pandemic, shutdowns, wildfires and other natural disasters, most of us are looking forward to a new year in 2021. Here are a few light-hearted predictions plus some more thoughtful reflections on what’s to come in 2021 and the impact on service providers.

Santa Claus launches new 5G service for virtual toy delivery

After a brutal 2020 Christmas season navigating varying social distancing rules around the world Santa Claus announced that in 2021 he too will have to go virtual and use 5G. “I can’t keep up with the demand and pace of millions of simultaneous deliveries all within a 24-hour period. The traffic volume keeps going up. I need the speed, security, network performance and massive connection rates that only 5G can give. Most kids don’t want physical toys anymore – everything is online and virtual. I have created new streaming “toy experiences” and “unboxings” that most kids will love. For those that still want a physical toy, using 5G converged with fixed access, I can reach even remote and rural locations quickly.”

Santa is the latest service provider to respond to the pandemic-induced traffic surge for online and virtual services as people work, play and learn at home. Service providers of all types – cable operators, ISPs, mobile operators and others have had to scramble during 2020 to augment capacity to suburban and rural locations and meet the higher demand for streaming and other services.

Facebook will change its name to “About Face”