Technology has always been a disruptive force in the broad economy, but the emergence of key technologies — including cloud IaaS, big data, social, mobility, machine learning, and artificial intelligence — is shuffling the deck of industry leadership in the technology space, explains John Eade, analyst with Argus Research.

A new factor on the scene is 5G wireless — still in early days, but poised to reshape data access and traffic in coming years.

When it arrives — maybe as early as 2020 — 5G will offer users greater speed, greater capacity, reduced latency and lower battery consumption. 5G should provide more-consistent connectivity and allow simultaneous connections to work together. We see several categories of beneficiaries:

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS):

IaaS is a form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing resources over the Internet. The cloud providers host infrastructure components traditionally present in an on-premises data center, including servers, storage and networking hardware, as well as billing, monitoring and security and back-up. 5G will make these services even more attractive. The leaders are Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT).

Cloud Management:

ServiceNow (NOW) provides cloud-based software-as-a-service (Saas) management applications to automate and track workflows across the enterprise, including IT, human resources, facilities, and field service, among others.

Test & Measurement:

Viavi Solutions (VIAV) core business is network and service enablement, which includes test & measurement, network visibility, service assurance, and related capabilities.

Network Development:

Ciena (CIEN) is a network developer. Two of its top three customers are AT&T and Verizon (VZ). Cisco Systems (CSCO) is a worldwide leader in communications equipment.

Originally created to provide routers and switches for Ethernet-based networks within enterprises, the company has expanded into collaboration, data center, security, wireless, analytics and other hardware and software niches.

Software Development Kits (SDK):

Twilio (TWLO) provides a cloud-based communications platform that enables businesses to embed messaging, voice, video, and authentication capabilities directly into their software applications.

Connectivity:

Broadcom (AVGO) has a strong position in data center at a time when both small enterprises and cloud titans are building out their data management capabilities.

Qualcomm (QCOM) has extended its leadership in the 3G CDMA wireless standard into the 4G LTE niche. It derives substantial royalty and licensing revenue from its extensive intellectual-property portfolio for 3G, 4G and now 5G technologies.

IoT Services:

Industrial companies such as Honeywell (HON), Emerson Electric (EMR) and General Electric (GE) are beginning to roll out IoT services that stand to become more robust and valuable as 5G is launched.

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