How Are Telecommunication Companies Implementing RFID?

Has RFID Journal written many articles about this topic?

—Name withheld

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The telecommunications industry is positioning itself as both a customer and a purveyor of radio frequency identification services. Some traditional providers, such as AT&T, are adopting RFID in their own businesses to reduce costs by tracking data-center assets and expensive equipment. Others, including British Telecom and Telekom Austria, are trying to boost falling revenues by providing RFID expertise and services to their existing telecommunications business customers (see Telcos' Dual Vision for RFID). Mobile phone manufacturers, meanwhile, are convinced that RFID-enabled handsets will be embraced by consumers to make payments at stores, as well as buy tickets on mass transit and conduct other financial services.

We have not written many stories about telecommunications companies using RFID over the past couple of years. Perhaps the recession and the focus on mergers have taken priority. My guess is that as the global economy and RFID adoption pick up steam, the telecoms will jump back in and promote managed services offerings. With a lot of firms moving their data to the cloud, it's likely that the telecoms will have an important role to play.

—Mark Roberti, Founder and Editor, RFID Journal