Deloitte shared its annual technology, media and telecommunications predictions with customers and media through their online media.

The predictions are based on research undertaken by Deloitte Global-the Report on Technology, Media and Telecommunications Predictions 2020.

Delloite says the research aims to provide insight into the smart future – technology and trends that offer opportunities for growth and transformation across the corporate landscape, such as edge computing, private 5 G, AI, content delivery and consumer trends.

Paul Lee, global TMT head of research at Deloitte, talked the audience though the 2020 predictions, which range from the expected 5G and AI to somewhat surprising rise of cycling.

1. Edge AI chips come into their own

Over 750 million edge AI chips–chips or parts of chips that perform or accelerate on-device machine learning tasks, rather than in a remote data center–will be sold in 2020.

The demand for these chips is likely to grow twice as fast as the overall chip market, as they find their way into an increasing number of consumer devices and business devices, predicts Deloitte Global.

2. Expert service robots set for double-digit growth

Of the approximately 1 million robots projected to be sold for business use in 2020, Deloitte Global estimates that just over half will be professional service robots, generating revenue in excess for US$ 16 billion, or 30 percent more than in 2019.

3. Private 5G networks

Deloitte Global expects more than 100 businesses from around the world to start exploring private 5 G networks by the end of 2020.

Hundreds of thousands of companies will likely deploy private cellular networks over the next decade. Regulation is evolving to allow for the private use of certain bands, Lee said.

4. High speed from low orbit

Moving into orbit and producing satellites has become less costly, while in every part of the world demand for communication has been growing.

Deloitte Global estimates that by the end of 2020, there will be more than 700 low-earth orbit satellites seeking to deliver global broadband internet–up from about 200 by the end of 2019.

5. The smartphone multiplier

The sale of products and services that depend on smartphone ownership – the so-called smartphone multiplier – will be three times that of smartphone market itself.

Deloitte Global predicts that the smartphone multiplier will drive US$459 billion of revenue in 2020, and expects that market to grow between 5 and 10 % annually through 2023.

The three largest elements of the smartphone multiplier are: mobile advertising, apps and hardware accessories.

6. Antennae: terrestrial TV’s surprising staying power

At least 1.6 billion people worldwide will get some of their TV from an antenna, representing 450 million households.

TV may not expand at the pace it did 20 years ago, but it is not declining either, and according to Deloitte Global, both advertisers and broadcasters need to take note of that.

7. Networks for content delivery: Audio, games, and more

Content delivery networks (CDN)s) are designed to improve media quality, speed and reliability by bringing content physically closer to the user.

Deloitte predicts that the global CDN market will reach US$14 billion in 2020 and that the market will more than double by 2025, driven by increasing consumer hunger for streaming video over the Internet.

By 2022, CDNs are expected to carry 72% of all Internet traffic.

8. Ad-supported video

Revenue from ad-supported video services will reach an estimated US$32 billion in 2020, Deloitte predicts.

Asia will lead with US$15.5 billion revenue, nearly half of the global total. Over a billion people in Asia watch ad-supported video services, thanks to the advent of affordable 4G connectivity, low-cost smartphones and business models that offer free content in exchange for watching ads.

Ad-supported videos could be the latest Asian import to the US, Delloite predicts.

9. The rise of audiobooks, podcasts

According to the Deloitte report, the global audiobook market will grow by 25 per cent to US$ 3.5 billion, while the podcasting market will grow by 30 per cent and for the first time reach the US$ 1 billion mark.

10. Making cycling faster, easier and safer

More cyclists are taking to the road and tech innovations are making cycling more appealing: safer, faster, more convenient, and easier to track and measure.

E-bikes, which use batteries to assist pedalling, stand out for their potential to boost cycling growth, says Deloitte.

It predicts that by 2023 the number of e-bikes globally should reach 300m, a 50% increase over 2019.