A prediction or forecast is a statement about the way things will happen in the future, often but not always based on experience or knowledge.

While there is much overlap between prediction and forecast, a prediction may be a statement that some outcome is expected, while a forecast is more specific, and may cover a range of possible outcomes.

From the first black-and-white TV box, to the latest HD 3D Internet TV technology. From the phonograph cylinder invented by Thomas Edison to the Apple iPhone made famous by Steve Jobs. From static showcased TV programmes, to on-demand and user-generated content. From traditional hardcopy newspapers, to instant-access digital publications. Change in the last fifty years has been at epic proportions some technologies were predicted less was forecasted on the consumer behaviour that has resulted.

Many of the world’s changes during this time has been created because of expansion in telecommunications technology so people can use new tools and products in new ways to connect to people and to the things that matter to them.

This consumer demand to connect is something at Telstra we spend a lot of time thinking about. We are working as a company to adapt to a changing consumer landscape and demand for things to be easier, more engaging and useful.

The advent of the Internet has triggered a radical transformation of the old media principles. We are at a crucial point in time where people’s input can shape media standards, policy, their relationships with businesses and the almighty payment method.

How do you think the evolution of media will unfold? What will media look like in 10-20 years? How will it be consumed and how will it be monitized are things we think about on a daily basis.

Telstra is no doubt in a unique position to really enable that connection of people through our superior broadband and mobile network. All signs so far point to a future that is truly connected, a new media model with be created, to business where machines will be talking to each to provide new efficiency that can delight their customers.

No doubt a prediction is that Telstra will be right in the middle of it – shaping the world around our customers.

We produced the below branded video to capture a vision for the company that takes the brand forward from a Telecommunications company to an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) company. This is where our future lies. All the technologies are now in development and far from science fiction.

We are not the first telco to paint a future of change. I stumbled onto this fascinating vision of telecommunications as that future was seen by AT&T in 1961. It would seem we moved faster then the forecast predicted.