Is the recession really over for telcos?

For the telecommunications industry, hard times are nearly over - or here to stay, depending on whom you ask.

With four-quarters wrapped up for the wireline and wireless operators, handset makers and equipment vendors, analyst firms are cranking out their 2010 projections. For the telecom industry as a whole, 2010 will be punctuated with continued cost cutting, but the prepaid and smartphone sectors should be best positioned to draw a sigh of relief. The telecom industry in general has shown resilience to the recession, but they have been focused on driving efficiencies and reducing costs - and they won't change course in 2010, according to Ovum. In a report released today, the UK-based research firm said that revenue growth is in decline for many mature market operators, even though the economic downturn hasn't resulted in as much downward pressure on their top lines as many expected. Ovum is warning operators that the tough times aren't over yet. That being said, North America is strengthening.