Lay the groundwork for 5G: Technology trends that address key challenges

For many analysts, Technology trends that address these challenges today and also lay the groundwork for 5G in future include: the application of virtualization and software-defined networking technologies to mobile networks; the  evolution of the mobile edge to improve customer quality of experience (QoE) and the creation of monetization opportunities for the operator; the growing need for an effective self-organizing network (SON) solution; and the use of  Big Data analytics to leverage granular network data to enhance network performance. 

According to ABI Research, Athonet, CellWize, CellMining, AirHop Communications, Core Network Dynamics, Blue Danube, Vasona Networks are a few examples of the startups profiled and those that are poised to challenge the status-quo in the telecom industry.