Industry: Telecommunications
 Over the years, telecommunications has broadened to include more than just the connection of telephone services. Telecommunications has expanded to include the connections between a variety of communication devices such as wireless communication, satellite services, radio, and television. The more technology grows the more inclusive the telecommunications industry becomes. Now that cell phones include cameras, emails, Internet, videos, and much more the clear definition between “telephone service” and “consumer electronics” is becoming more blurred.
The telecommunications industry is comprised of multiple facets including equipment manufacturing, service providers, wireless, satellite, and Internet services. Equipment manufacturing for telecommunication hardware is separated from companies offering the software communication services. The service sector of telecommunications has been deregulated by the Telecommunication Act of 1996, which many employees claim is a benefit as well as a burden. The top telecommunication companies include Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint all of which offer wireless services that have broadened the reach of their services. Comcast not only offers telecommunication services in the telephone sector, but also with Internet and television.
Working in these companies requires the skills necessary to handle large corporation politics and the hierarchy process of approving projects. You’ll also need be able to cope with an impersonal corporate feel. As the major telecommunication companies consolidate, the positions within the industry are becoming scarcer.
Individuals looking to work in the telecommunications industry must expand their knowledge of telecommunications to include more understanding than simple telephone communication. Telecommunication software includes voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), which is a growing sector that utilizes Internet services to perform telephone functions. Voice over IP is free for the caller excluding the basic Internet service fee, which has increased consumer use despite less quality than traditional telephone services. Satellite service is an additional telecommunication service that includes dish networks and global positioning devices. Routers, hubs, and switch boards all contribute to local networks where fiber optics transmit data. Telecommunications is a complex industry to understand that telecommunication professionals enjoy figuring out.
The telecommunications industry can be broken down into companies that produce telecommunication hardware, software, or the service. No matter what the sector, positions within the field are declining, but focusing on technology advances and consolidation will be advantageous. Telecommunication connects the globe on multiple levels, and individuals working in this sector feel a sense of value knowing their work benefits the progression of society. Positions in the telecommunication field range from engineers and project managers to sales professionals. Sales executives play a key role in the expansion of telecommunication because sales executives promote the product and the services their company provides to clients who may not even know the service exists. Many telecommunication companies are focusing their efforts specifically catered to businesses of different types and sizes. No matter what the business, telecommunication enhances the productivity of any company and working in the telecommunication industry is challenging and rewarding.
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