Dan Littmann

The nation’s cellular, broadband, and Wi-Fi networks can be as critical as roads and bridges, even if they can lack a perceived pizzazz of semiconductor fabs or artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. Communications infrastructure connects chips and AI models to consumers, but it tends only to make headlines when it doesn’t work. Yet, it’s an important part of powering the digital world. That’s why Deloitte introduced its inaugural communications infrastructure index (CII).

As it looks at 2025 and beyond to 2030, the telecommunications industry is expected to work to keep cutting costs, keep capital expenditures under control, monetize their past investments, and use mergers and acquisitions to drive value.Growth-oriented companies will likely also find ways to grow revenues faster than core connectivity growth would suggest. However, the market for telecommunications is rapidly evolving.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed the US economy at another pivotal moment when economic prosperity depends on reliable, affordable, and fast broadband for all. The pandemic forced much of the US population to trade classrooms, offices, and conference rooms for at-home screens, and many Americans were left stranded by inadequate or unaffordable access to internet connectivity or devices.