The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that telcos do not exactly have a reputation as technology leaders, with some calling them "dumb pipes." The Globe's Christine Dobby writes that a new report from Citigroup argues that the telcos should embrace a "digital transformation" that emphasizes selling service-based digital platforms and experiences to both retail and business customers. Connectivity will still be crucial, but the Citigroup analysts propose a wide range of possible new avenues, including mobile banking platforms, cloud-based television platforms, smart home, and e-health services, advertising based on big data, and the connected devices that make up the so-called "Internet of Things." The report says a recent Citigroup survey of investors found support for the idea that traditional telco operators should "face the OTTs [over-the-top services delivered directly to customers over the Internet] head on." It adds, "They should move away from selling capacity (gigabytes of data) towards selling services, which their customers regularly use, understand and value." Investors have long appreciated telco stocks for their safe and reliable dividends in a low-interest world.