In a presentation at the launch of SonicWall's new SuperMassive security appliance, he said telco survival was about securing the mobile end.

"Users expect more but to pay less. There's pressure for the telcos to invest in new technology but this won't deliver a lot more revenue than now," Macaulay says. "This will redefine leadership in the market. There will be new leaders as market niches develop.

"It's vital that the telcos manage their way through it. We have to look after them without providing the stupid protection of the past," says Macaulay.

He posed the question: where are CIOs going?

"I speak to 80 in New Zealand. It's intriguing. Less than 20 percent have no plans concerning the cloud. That means, obviously, 80 percent are planning to do something. In fact, 30 percent are already in that space.