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Telecommunications have evolved from primitive methods like carrier pigeons to sophisticated technologies such as fiber optics and 5G networks, fundamentally shaping modern society and driving innovation across multiple sectors. The Bankinter Innovation Foundation’s Akademia programme delves into this evolution, highlighting how advancements in telecommunications infrastructure enable rapid, efficient communication crucial for economic and social complexity. Experts in the program emphasize the role of evolving networks, from copper cables to high-speed fiber optics, in catalyzing innovation in areas like autonomous vehicles, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart cities.
The program also explores telecommunications’ integral role in the digital economy, facilitating globalization and new business models through standardized protocols and reliable connectivity. Students engage in practical projects applying technologies such as Bluetooth 5.0 and Wi-Fi 6.0, while addressing security challenges inherent in increasingly interconnected systems. Emerging trends discussed include edge computing for low-latency data processing, and quantum communications promising unparalleled security and speed via quantum cryptography. As telecommunications continue to underpin advances in IoT, smart urban infrastructure, autonomous mobility, and cybersecurity, the Akademia programme prepares future innovators to harness and secure these transformative technologies shaping the global economy and society.
Telecommunications are the backbone of innovation in the digital age. In the Bankinter Innovation Foundation's Akademia Programme, students explore how these technologies drive global development and open up new opportunities in an interconnected world.
Telecommunications are a cornerstone of innovation and technological development in the digital age. The Bankinter Innovation Foundation’s Akademia programme explores in depth how this sector drives progress and opens up new opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world. This article, the second in a series dedicated to the key issues addressed in the programme, focuses on the crucial role of telecommunications as enablers of global innovation.
The evolution of telecommunications: from pigeons to fibre optics
The concept of telecommunications has come a long way since the days when carrier pigeons were the most effective means of remote communication. Over the centuries, we have moved from rudimentary systems to highly advanced technologies such as fiber optics and high-speed mobile networks, which allow for the almost instantaneous transmission of large amounts of information.
In the Akademia programme, experts such as Juan Cambeiro (Telefónica) and Gabriel Gómez (Marine Instruments), teach students how the evolution of telecommunications has been fundamental to the development of modern society. The ability to communicate efficiently and quickly has been a decisive factor in the increasing complexity of human relationships and economic systems. From the first copper networks to the sophisticated fiber optic infrastructure that connects continents, every advancement in this field has been a catalyst for innovation in other sectors.
Telecommunications and its impact on innovation
One of the key topics addressed in the telecommunications session of the Akademia Program is how these technologies have driven and continue to drive innovation in various areas. For example, the transition of mobile networks from 3G to 5G has not only increased the speed and capacity of communications, but has also enabled the development of emerging technologies such as self-driving cars and the Internet of Things (IoT).
5G, in particular, stands out for its ability to significantly reduce latency, i.e. the time it takes for a signal to be sent and received. This is crucial for applications that require real-time responses, such as communication between autonomous vehicles or remote operation of industrial machinery. In addition, 5G introduces a more decentralized network architecture, where antennas play a more active role in data processing, allowing for greater efficiency and flexibility in communications.
At Akademia, we go further and we are already talking about new protocols: 6G, its advances and what it will imply in the IoT.
The role of telecommunications in the digital economy
In the digital economy, telecommunications are the essential infrastructure that supports the continuous flow of information. Every transaction, every online interaction, and every connected device depends on robust and reliable telecommunications networks. Students of the Akademia Program learn that this infrastructure enables the operation of today’s businesses and services, and also creates the conditions for the emergence of new industries and business models based on connectivity.
An interesting aspect discussed in the program is the impact of telecommunications on globalization. Thanks to these technologies, geographical and temporal barriers have decreased, allowing companies to operate and compete globally. In addition, the standardization of communication protocols, such as the IP protocol, has been critical for different systems and devices to interact effectively, thus fostering innovation on a global scale.
Case studies and real-world applications
The practical approach of the Akademia Program is reflected in the inclusion of case studies and projects where students can apply the knowledge acquired. For example, they are challenged to develop applications based on technologies such as Bluetooth 5.0 or Wi-Fi 6.0, exploring how these can improve operational efficiency in sectors such as hospitality or logistics.
These activities, in addition to strengthening students’ technical skills, prepare them to think outside the box on how to apply telecommunications to solve real problems in various industrial contexts. At the same time, they learn to consider the security and privacy challenges that accompany the growing reliance on communication networks, a crucial aspect in the information age.
Telecommunications as the basis for future innovation
The study of telecommunications in the Akademia Programme of the Bankinter Innovation Foundation is essential to understand how this technology will continue to be a driving force in the evolution of society and the global economy. From basic infrastructure to the most advanced applications, telecommunications are at the heart of the digital transformation that defines our time.
Below, we review some of the major areas of innovation driven by telecommunications:
Internet of Things (IoT): the connection of everything
The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the most revolutionary areas within telecommunications. Thanks to the connectivity it provides, it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more than 125 billion connected devices globally. These devices, which range from smart appliances to advanced industrial machinery, rely on high-speed networks like 5G to communicate with each other and with centralized systems. In the Akademia Program, students learn how this interconnectivity is transforming sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing, enabling automation and improving operational efficiency.
A relevant use case is smart agriculture, where IoT sensors monitor soil conditions, humidity and crop health in real time, optimizing the use of resources such as water and fertilizers. Telecommunications make it possible for all this information to be transmitted to remote control centers, allowing for more accurate and faster decisions.
Edge Computing: Processing at the Edge of the Network
Another crucial innovation emerging from telecommunications is edge computing. As more devices generate large volumes of data, edge computing has become essential to reduce latency and process information close to the source, rather than sending it to centralized data centers. This is particularly important in applications that require real-time responses, such as autonomous vehicles or connected industrial machinery.
Edge computing can improve efficiency in network and data management, and is paving the way for future innovations. For example, in autonomous vehicles, data about the vehicle’s surroundings is processed locally, allowing for fast and safe decision-making, reducing the risks of accidents.
Smart Cities: transforming urban spaces
Smart cities are another example of how telecommunications are transforming the world around us. In a smart city, transportation, energy, health, and waste management systems are interconnected, allowing local governments to optimize resources and improve the quality of life for citizens. 5G and advanced communication technologies enable seamless interaction between sensors, cameras, and centralized systems, facilitating efficient traffic management, reducing energy consumption, and improving public safety.
These technologies can also contribute to sustainability, a central theme in the urban planning of the future. For example, integrating telecommunications networks with renewable energy infrastructure allows cities to reduce their carbon footprint, while providing more efficient services to their inhabitants.
Autonomous vehicles: the future of Mobility
Autonomous vehicles rely heavily on telecommunications, especially 5G networks, to operate safely. The low latency and high data transmission capacity of 5G allow vehicles to communicate with each other (vehicle-to-vehicle, V2V) and with infrastructure (vehicle-to-infrastructure, V2I) in real time. This is crucial to avoid accidents and optimize routes, thus reducing travel time and energy consumption.
Cybersecurity: Protecting Critical Infrastructure
With the advancement of telecommunications and the proliferation of devices connected to global networks, cybersecurity has become a central concern. The interconnectedness of industrial systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and smart cities present significant vulnerabilities that could be exploited by cyberattacks. Telecommunications act as the connective tissue that keeps critical infrastructures running, and any security failure in these networks could have catastrophic consequences.
The growth of technologies such as 5G, and in the future 6G, poses new security challenges. These networks, which are more decentralized and have lower latency, increase the number of entry points that can be exploited by malicious actors. Attacks such as network hijacking, advanced phishing, and ransomware are becoming more common and sophisticated. For example, in the autonomous vehicle sector, a cyberattack could interfere with navigation systems, putting both the safety of passengers and interconnected cities at risk.
Solutions to these challenges include the use of advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and emerging technologies such as blockchain, which bolster the security of communications. In addition, artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in cybersecurity, by enabling real-time detection of suspicious behavior on the network and anticipating possible attacks before they occur.
The future of telecommunications cybersecurity will also be impacted by the advancement of quantum computing, which has the potential to break current encryption systems. To counter this threat, new forms of post-quantum cryptography are already being developed, designed to withstand attacks by quantum computers, which will ensure the integrity and security of telecommunications for decades to come.
Quantum Communications: A New Paradigm in Security and Speed
Quantum communications represent one of the most promising innovations in the field of telecommunications. This technology leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to deliver a level of security and efficiency that far exceeds the capabilities of today’s telecommunications systems. Through quantum entanglement, it is possible to create virtually invulnerable communication channels, where any attempt to intercept the data transmission can be detected immediately.
One of the most disruptive advances in this field is quantum cryptography, which ensures that transmitted information cannot be copied or altered without users detecting it. This is because quantum particles, such as photons, change their state when observed, making this type of communication an ideal choice for applications that require the highest level of security, such as banking, government communications, or defense.
In addition to security, quantum communications also have the potential to dramatically improve the speed of data transmission. With quantum teleportation of information, the need to physically send particles between two points is eliminated, which could significantly reduce transmission times over long distances. Quantum satellites are already being developed to establish ultra-secure communication links between continents, which could usher in a new era of global telecommunications.
Although commercial applications of quantum telecommunications are still in the early stages of development, recent advances are promising. It is expected that, in the future, these quantum networks could complement and even replace traditional telecommunications infrastructures in sectors where information security is critical.
This article is just one part of a series that explores the key themes of the Akademia program. Coming soon, we’ll address how other areas such as artificial intelligence, data, and energy are interconnected with telecommunications and how together they are shaping the future. Stay tuned for more insights on how to prepare to lead in an innovation-driven world.
More articles in this series:
Exploring the Future: contents of the Bankinter Innovation Foundation’s Akademia Programme
If you are interested in learning more about the Akademia Program, we invite you to visit the Foundation’s website.
