What are some areas of telecommunications that will see the most growth in the coming decade or so?
I'm curious about what specific types of jobs are in demand now or will become more in demand within the next few years. This could even include positions that don't exist currently, but might in the future once technological innovations call for it. #communications #telecommunications #job-outlook #verizon
87 answers
Joanne’s Answer
I'd go with ...
- security (it's soooooo hot)
- data, data, and more data .. there's an evolving data scientists career for those that really want to engross themselves in it
- the hardware and software behind the 'internet of things'
(here's a nice link that explains IOT)
http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacobmorgan/2014/05/13/simple-explanation-internet-things-that-anyone-can-understand/3302bb856828
Looks like a must-read! Thanks for the info!
Alexandra, Admin
I would also add 5G technology & cloud computing
Karen Cayea
Totally agree with Joanne! Data, security, 5G technology, unified communications!
Anne Herrington
Christopher’s Answer
That's a great question! Keep in mind that telecommunications anymore isn't just your phone and internet as it has been in the past. Telecom anymore is a broad statement, one that encompasses not only your day to day phone calls but also cloud services, machine to machine and pretty much everything else you would do on a network. As far as growth goes I see a lot of answers for security, yes that is very true, but also Software Defined networking (SDN) is growing extremely rapidly. Going away are the days of running physical cable to every piece of equipment in a switching center. Pretty soon it will be just a few pieces of fiber and few pieces of physical equipment running all virtual machines within itself. So to answer your question I would highly recommend looking into routing and coding skills, ie vmware, linux/unix, python etc. as those will be the new "telecommunication" skills that will be sought after since a good chunk of the physical equipment is now becoming just a card in a server.
Ronald’s Answer
I would have to say that most of the areas of telecommunications are going to continue to grow at a rapid pace. If I had to give an educated guess, I would say anything tied to the virtual reality arena. companies are already making great strides, but I could see hologram phones calls and things of that nature.
That sounds amazing. The recent innovations in gaming definitely ring true with this. Thanks for the response!
Alexandra, Admin
Meg Layton
Meg’s Answer
Wow. tough question, since things are changing fast. I haven't been in telecom for a little while, but will tell you that understanding the basics of networking, and anything about securing communications is going to be hot for a good time to come!
Thanks for the tip!
Alexandra, Admin
Robin’s Answer
Of course its hard to predict the future but I think demand for cloud storage will increase as well as new ways to back up, save and search data
Good point...sometimes I wonder if we will one day migrate almost entirely to the cloud. Thanks for the reply!
Alexandra, Admin
Ma Fatima’s Answer
Network Security. We have a lot of Engineers handing Data but few knows how to handle Security issue.
Voice is also on top as we live now on world where almost everything is being done virtually.
Indeed a really important field. Thanks!
Alexandra, Admin
Leanne’s Answer
Rani’s Answer
Customer comes first for the business to be successful. I see a lot of focus on technology - cloud/networks/5G etc. Technology keeps changing....In the future any role that can be automated will be - so the focus will be on skills that are more oriented towards improving / simplifying customer experience that cannot be automated - basically people skills , putting yourself in customer's shoes and identifying areas of improvement / reduce pain points / solutions - will be key.
Rani recommends the following next steps:
Patel’s Answer
You have to identify the customer needs and deliver to them so that they can do what they need to do.
William’s Answer
Chirayu’s Answer
Suman’s Answer
2. AI/ML
3. AR/VR/XR
4. Autonomous vehicles
Cynthia’s Answer
Needs are always changing but the one thing that is constant is security, security, security. It seems in this business as soon as we figure out a way to keep our information, accounts, etc safe and secure the fraudsters have found a new way to get our information, hack in to our accounts, etc.
Nadine’s Answer
Gustavo’s Answer
Hello the future is moving towards streaming and wireless. Network programing on a commercial scale is a great area to look into for the future. Building a network from the ground up and securing is something that is in demand for many businesses small and large.
Erik’s Answer
Margarita’s Answer
Fin’s Answer
Jen’s Answer
The wireless industry is a great place to enter for career growth: networks, broadband, fiber, even real estate. A few different options:
Engineers from, RF doing the design to being an engineer in the field, from planning the equipment to being a construction engineer. Building 5G networks and smart cities will also need a lot of fiber and real estate agreement. From building the network to maintaining it, the amount of jobs are growing rapidly.
Bonnie’s Answer
Hi Alexandra
I recommend a Nanodegree from Udacity. Their program will allow to quickly assess what area of computer science you would like. I earned their Introduction to Programming Nanodegree and quickly knew my preferences. I now built and mainta Two websites at work.
Bonnie recommends the following next steps:
Jagmeet Singh’s Answer
Next big segment of growth in telecommunication will be 5G area, with 5G technology supporting applications
- IOT - Self driving cars, M2M communications
- High speed broadband and low latency application
- Smart Cities
- Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Nicole’s Answer
There are so many parts of Telecommunications that are seeing growth and will continue to see growth. IoT, Security, Cloud storage will play important parts in the next several years. IoT because most items are moving to be online from lights to toasters. Security to help make all things secure and cloud storage to store all that information.
Nicole recommends the following next steps:
Javier’s Answer
I would say data analysis, security, and IOT will be the biggest growth opportunities. With our ever growing broadband capabilities companies are taking in so much data. How we use the data will separate each company from the competition. With growth in data will come the responsibility to protect that information so security is at the forefront. And IOT (internet of things) will explode with connected devices of every aspect. From security to home automation we truly are leaning toward being a connect society and this area will explode exponentially.
Jerry’s Answer
the largest growth will be related to 5g. so mobile devices will jump into new fields. anything related to the servicing of those connections. like the fibers, the cell relays and its services will be huge. 5g will be opening up instant downloads so imagine what can be done with that.
Tia’s Answer
Telecom has grown so much over even just the past 5 years, and it's totally possible that we haven't even begun to explore the next big thing in telecom.
Whatever you chose to pursue, ensure that it is something that you enjoy doing. I enjoy telecommunications because it is such a dynamic industry and I am always learning something new!
Sang’s Answer
As an employee of Verizon for 10+ years I would certainly say the future will be heavily dependent on its wireless network. As of writing, 5G has launched in select markets and will mark the beginning of a new era in high-speed computing, cloud services, streaming, gaming, etc.
I would say if you are looking for a future career in this industry, certainly look towards acquiring knowledge in the fields of computer science, web/app development and possibly engineering. Good question and good luck!
Amanda’s Answer
KEVIN’s Answer
Telecom / Network Engineers
Sales
Network Architecture
Mobile Device Management
Vanessa’s Answer
Tirzah’s Answer
Based on my viewpoint, this area is so broad as some others have stated. However, if you are flexible in exploring. The areas I see having the most growth will be:
- Machine-to-machine/AI learning will replace a lot of repetitive functions
- Data analysts
- Cybersecurity
- Maximizing internet of things
Tirzah recommends the following next steps:
Brandon’s Answer
The Telecommunications field is rapidly growing. I happen to work for one of the great telocommunication companies in Verizon Wireless! In the coming years you will see more and more about 5G serivces which will open the door to many new services and products, for an example driving cars. 5G technology will be the backbone the future of the telocommunication field!
Carl’s Answer
Judith’s Answer
Rosalinda’s Answer
Studying Data, engineering and web/app developments.
Clay’s Answer
Working for a major telecom company in a cutting-edge portion of the business, over the next 5-10 years, data analysts, big data engineers, as well as specialists in machine learning, natural language processing/understanding, and artificial intelligence will be critical to the industry.
Jeffrey’s Answer
Dennis’s Answer
5G
5G promises some dramatic changes. The European Union’s 5G action plan includes uninterrupted 5G coverage by 2025 for railways and major roads. In addition to being able to support a hundredfold increase in connected devices per each unit area, 5G will offer ultra-low latency, improved data rates and enable network slicing. This opens the door for new services, network operation and customer experience for telecom operators.
5G will change telecom's role: telecoms will not only be technology distributors, but also service providers. This shift will require telecoms to engage with governments, enterprise customers and alter their sales approach to help customers leverage the power of 5G.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Telecommunications is one of the industries that use artificial intelligence in many aspects of business today. Through virtual assistants and chatbots, and the artificial intelligence that runs these tools behind the scenes, telecommunications companies improve customer service and satisfaction. Artificial intelligence is essential for the optimization and predictive maintenance of telecommunications companies’ networks. AI is also hard at work detecting fraudulent activity. Additionally, through predictive analytics, artificial intelligence makes it possible for telecoms to glean actionable business insights from the volumes of data they gather every day.
Internet of Things (IoT)
Because the telecom industry enables internet device connectivity it is one of the largest players in the Internet of Things market, everyday items that are connected to one another and the internet. Internet of Things technology helps telecoms monitor base stations and data centers remotely. This helps ensure minimal downtime for the network. Since telecom is so instrumental in providing IoT infrastructure, the industry is uniquely poised to develop and offer their own services for IoT. Since IoT technology results in more devices on the network there are more opportunities for security and privacy breaches to occur so telecoms need to plan and prepare defenses for that. While there are still a lot of unknowns regarding the transformation IoT will have for telecoms, there’s little doubt that it will disrupt the industry.
Big Data
It’s undeniable that telecommunications companies are collecting and generating volumes of data from mobile devices and apps, wearables and more—wireless data is expected to continue to increase through the 2020s—but it will be the companies that use it to their competitive advantage that will survive. Telecommunications companies need to ensure that their networks can move extraordinary amounts of data through their network efficiently and continue to support new technologies. Telecoms also need to address the new security challenges that have arisen with new technology that use their networks. Ultimately, the data that telecoms collect can be analyzed to improve customer service, determine and evaluate new products, as well as monitor and optimize the network. When evaluated and acted upon, big data can help telecoms build a stronger business.
Robotic Process Automation (RPA)
Robotic process automation can take over repetitive, rules-based, high-frequency processes and complete them very accurately. When telecoms deploy RPA for tasks, error rates and costs are reduced while customer service and operational efficiency are boosted. The telecommunications industry has one of the highest adoption rates for RPA technology since it seems to serve it so well. RPA offers high levels of scalability and agility for telecoms and can take over many tasks such as report generation, responding to customer questions, order processing, price tracking and more.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing’s pay-per-use service model helps telecoms introduce new services, reduce their costs and adjust to market demands more effectively. The cloud offers economies of scale, scalability and cost effectiveness to telecoms. Not only can telecoms be a cloud service provider, but they can use the cloud themselves. When telecoms adopt cloud technology and switch important business functions to the cloud, they benefit from the cloud’s efficiency.
Cyber Security and Resilience
We take for granted the services that are enabled by telecoms including phone and video calls, email and messaging until we experience an outage and realize how dependent we are on those services. Due to telecoms storing vast amounts of sensitive data on complex networks that act as gateways to other businesses and because they build and operate critical infrastructure, telecoms are increasingly a target for cybercriminals. From direct cyberattacks such as distributed denial of service to indirect attacks such as malware, telecoms need to protect themselves and prepare for the future of 5G and the security hurdles that will represent. This includes having not only the right IT infrastructure in place but the talent and processes to support resiliency when attacked. Currently, there is room for improvement to the industry’s response to a cyberattack. Even false claims of attack can damage a telecom’s reputation, as well as create a considerable business impact in terms of time and money spent to respond.
Wesley’s Answer
Colleen’s Answer
Joel’s Answer
Carl’s Answer
I suggest that you look at all things 5G, IOT and Security. Those will all drive the bright future. I would suggest specific articles or publications but by the time this is seen there is likely to be a better source or insight as the pace of change is rapid.
Gail Peter Wong
Gail Peter’s Answer
IoT with its the new cousin acronyms AI, ML, AV, VR are driving efficiencies throughout many industries. The focus now is what to do with all this data and if you succeed you can drive digital transformation and benefit to a company.
Ingrid’s Answer
I work at a call center, so from a call center perspective the Business department seems to be growing a lot, sales
Thomas’s Answer
If I have to pick one then it would be data security for business and mobility for consumer
Mark’s Answer
Cyber Security; especially for all business and Government industries.
Mark recommends the following next steps:
Garrett’s Answer
Security and ioT(information of things) is the future
Michael’s Answer
Cynthia’s Answer
Trevor’s Answer
Joe’s Answer
KRISTY GOODWIN
KRISTY’s Answer
Always be thinking about innovation. What will be the next big gadget or technological discovery? People are always wanting more bandwidth, faster networks, cooler devices & apps that solve their problems & provide entertainment. I would check out Security, AI, Programming, Business Analytics, Data Science, Data Engineering, Predictive Analytics, Data Scientist, Machine Learning, Web Development, IOS Developer, Python, & Data Visualization
Rosalinda’s Answer
Telecommunications is not defined by phone service anymore, what is being developed more these days are forms to provide service using mobile devices instead of cable. Cloud computing and data analytics are other forms beside entering the entertainment business. IoT - internet of things is another major trend that is impacting the telecommunications business. Security for networks and Skynet are two other forms of technology that will become more prominent for telecom.
Kimberly’s Answer
Luis’s Answer
Susan’s Answer
Everything Cloud - Not only storage, but applications, processes, hardware - anything that will cut cost to business owners yet allow them to address the needs of their businesses virtually and securely! We are seeing personal changes from desktop to laptops move to Chromebooks - on the business side - these changes are even more advanced with Cisco Meraki!
What's after cellular and what types of phones will we be using - will there be hotspots everywhere instead of cell towers? Even our phones at work have moved to all IP based applications - we'll see what the future brings!
All of these services need to be secure - security will be big!
Those are my predictions so far!
Patel’s Answer
1. 5G adoption (Carriers, Individuals and company) The carriers will implement 5G but the monetization would be driven from Individuals
2. Security (Internal to keep the network safe and external to keep the data safe)
3. Data (Grows at a exponential rate and need people who can not only analyze but visualize the data for effective use)
4. Programmers (Needed to create the apps that can utilize the 5G functionality and improve customer experience
Nikola’s Answer
You may want to develop good basis networking skills and this will give you a solid start. Aim at getting some assignment as a system admin, networking professional, etc. Once you have gotten your foot in the door, the firm you work for will provide you with further training opportunities and you can develop from there.
Also, getting some good cloud experience is also the way to go. Telco is pretty much moving to the cloud, so do some telco cloud reading.
Good luck!
Monica’s Answer
I work in a telecomm, and this is what I see and might actually start getting certified in myself:
1. security, all things related to cyber security, so the applications, networking, hardware, storage, encryption
2. managed services: all things related to automating the way that IT and administration of IT is handled. there's so much being created by all the current companies to have their services managed and paid for by enterprises...
3. disaster recovery and managed backups.
4. Data Analytics - now there's so much information connected that all the IT companies want to be the next best provider of how to make decisions on that data... to everybody. medical data, advertising data, weather data, its not just financial and research data anymore. its all for sale and most telecoms are the ones gathering it from... our phones! somebody wants to make money off of what's becoming the new data banks of info, that could be your next project!
5. cloud- its real, its not going away, its a 60Billion dollar industry today.
.....anything hardware related is going to be a job in asia and all the hardware vendors have seen this technology get so commoditized, that they are actually losing money and selling off their hardware. for example: IBM, HP, Dell, all that went to Taiwan and Singapore, so unless you want to move over there and get paid much less, that might be a last resort.
I would also check out this website to get the latest news and pick up on the latest technology that telecoms care about: The Register http://www.theregister.co.uk/
they have the most candid and neutral views of what's going on, and usually find out things before they are publically announced by IT companies.
Casey’s Answer
Gregory’s Answer
Programmers - to change the network from bespoke hardware to virtualize machines that do the same functions. Also, to write software for new services that use the network.
Data Scientists are in demand because they can work the massive databases of information to provide value to the companies and consumers. They can identify areas for savings, secure networks by flagging suspicious activities, find patterns of consumer activity that provide opportunities to provide new services.
Network Specialists with an emphasis on security. The new networks are all digital and security is a huge issue
IoT – IoT is taking off but it is more than just sensors. The opportunity is in crafting solutions using the sensors to solve problems for businesses, make them more efficient and profitable.
Project Managers are always in demand to deliver the new services on time and budget.
Carol’s Answer
Everything changes so quickly in the industry. Its definitely one that will keep you interested and motivated.. I would say 5g (network) would be a good field to look into.
In so many other positions throughout the communications industry, you are heavily involved in all the latest and greatest technology that is launching...Most departments will tie back to the innovation and customer experience, so you really cant go wrong!
Julian’s Answer
It can improve and enhance self-driving cars, help first responders locate people in distress using towers throughout the city or neighborhoods, it can also help Dr.'s perform surgeries using robots from across the country when they can't fly to the patients location.
For entertainment, 5G technology downloads movies and music super fast. Also gaming gets even better. With no slowness or lag you'll be able to respond quicker giving you the edge against your competition.
The possibilities are almost endless as there is so much more to come!
Matt’s Answer
1) IoT anchored by 5G wireless networks
2) Digital-dominant customer sales cycle (.com/app primary touch points for majority of sales/retention opportunities)
3) Data is king - being able to access it and present it efficiently will always be in demand
Matt recommends the following next steps:
Jeff’s Answer
Raelyn’s Answer
Maritza’s Answer
Telecommunication is moving away from the physical to more cloud services and virtualization. With that you have growth in remote support, internet of things, security, software, coding, applications.
Tonya’s Answer
Barbara’s Answer
Sheila’s Answer
Hello Alexandra:
Based on my observations from within my own telecommunications company; I'd say the following areas:
- Big Data (data analysis/analytics, metrics, trends)
- Machine Learning (Bots)
- Network Cloud
- Web Developer
- Virtual Reality
- IoT (Internet of Things)
I wish you much success on your journey. Best of luck to you!
~ Sheila
Sidia’s Answer
Streaming! We've all seen the growth of video streaming services over the last 5 years and it will just continue to climb. Every major network already has their own application for video streaming and in the coming years we'll see smaller companies join in on the competition. Whether streaming thru self developed applications or thru social media outlets, this is the future of television. Alongside this, I would also recommend learning how to conduct research and data analyses of these tools. User experience and User Interface (UX/UI) are big components to getting these services out to the consumer.
Sidia recommends the following next steps:
Ken’s Answer
I believe 5G will have the biggest impact. This will help with being able to do remote medical procedures which will get people the healthcare that they need at the right time. This will save lives. Businesses will benefit from Internet of Things (IoT) and Security such as being able to track shipments and have them automatically signed off at each stop in the travel that they want. AI will also help businesses understand their customers and give them what they need / want.
Best of luck!
Sarah’s Answer
Barbara’s Answer
2. 5G
3. Cloud Computing
4. Data
5. Customer Experience
Frank Perez’s Answer
Philip’s Answer
Philip recommends the following next steps:
KEEJIUN’s Answer
Big Data.
Wyn Sheree’s Answer
Cyber Security, Cloud Components and cross functionality.
George’s Answer
Jennifer’s Answer
Kurt’s Answer
IoT. Machine learning. Virtual everything. And if you can mine data to help a company figure out who and how to target with offers and win in a very competitive marketplace you will be worth your weight in gold. ;-)
Haider’s Answer
This is the billion dollar question, I believe the continuous need for new faster send/receive data, will be always there .. and off course security around secure communication will stay their for ever .. This is my own intake/opinion on your question.
Miyoshee’s Answer
Johnny’s Answer
Franklin’s Answer
In my opinion, I would look into internet security, programming and coding, and smart devices. These will be the future. Cloud services will also continue to grow and will be used more and more.
Don’s Answer
And some great answers here.
In addition, I'd say that Customer Experience or "CX" will continue to grow. And introducing new tools, like AI, to support CX will be a major focus.
Jeff’s Answer
Barbara’s Answer
Great recommendation
Karen Cayea