Telecommunications Careers Outlook
According to the 2006 Industry Playbook of the Telecommunications Industry Association, the overall U.S. telecommunications market (including sales of equipment and services) had revenues of $856.9 billion in 2006. The association projects that demand for equipment and services and technological advancements will continue to grow in tandem well into the future. Canada, Mexico, India, and Japan continue to be both the largest exporters and importers for telecommunications equipment, but China is the world’s largest telecommunications market in all categories.
Employment in the industry is predicted to decline by 7 percent through 2014 due to industry consolidation and strong price competition among telecommunications companies, but growth is expected to resume at a higher rate as demand increases. Widening demand for wireless communications and the continuing expansion and upgrading of wireless systems should help that branch of the industry. Other technology advances, however, will lead to increased productivity for fewer workers.
New and combined technologies will create constant change in the industry. Internet-based telephone services will increase competition and bring many technological functions closer together. Now available are ADSLs (asymmetric digital subscriber lines), which send data over phone lines and allow for quicker Internet downloads and service and allow customers to take data and voice calls at the same time. Advanced technology is also allowing for better television quality. DirectTV services allow subscribers to receive digital satellite signals with their own minidishes. These services are often less expensive than cable television and provide better sound and image.
Another development is HDTV (high definition television). HDTV sets have dropped in price in recent years and some may now be purchased for around $500. They provide viewers with audio and visual quality that far exceeds traditional TV sets. These sets, equipped to receive the digital signals, will continue to come down in price as the technology becomes more common.
In order to succeed, companies will need to invest heavily in new technology and equipment that allows them to offer the best services and products. The growing use of wireless technology, the introduction of more dependable equipment, and the outsourcing of existing positions to specialized contractors will reduce employment for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers. Little change in employment is expected for electrical and electronics engineers and computer professionals— although new expenditures in research and development will create some new positions for these professionals.
For More Information:
- Accounting Careers
- Computer Science Careers
- Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA)
- Telecommunications Industry Association
- Women in Cable Telecommunications
Related Career Fields:
- Broadcasting Career Field
- Computer Science Career Field
- Electronics Career Field
- Film Career Field
- Internet Career Field
- Television Career Field
Related Careers:
- Cable Television Technicians
- Communications Equipment Technicians
- Computer and Electronics Sales Representatives
- Computer Network Administrators
- Computer Programmers
- Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Service Technicians
- Engineers
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Telephone and PBX Installers and Repairers
- Telephone Operators
- Wireless Sales Workers
- Wireless Service Technicians