Telecommunications Industry Overview

Overview/Description
 Connecting the world, the telecommunications industry stands as one of the most essential elements of the business world. It is also one of the most volatile. Plagued by regulatory discord and economic uncertainty, telecom carriers have struggled to maintain sound footing and a competitive edge, all the while endeavoring to provide crucial, uninterrupted service to their customers. In an age of rapidly developing technology, this goal has become increasingly more difficult. The emergence of broadband and wireless technologies pose significant threats to carriers relying upon aging infrastructures and out-dated marketing strategies. To survive, telecom carriers must consider a number of options, including consolidation, convergence, and/or costly technological upgrades. This course is designed to help learners gain an understanding of the telecommunications industry, the tumultuous regulatory environment surrounding it, the technological challenges hindering it, and the strategies and solutions required to succeed in this challenging business environment.

Target Audience
 This course is designed for management consultants and sales personnel seeking an overview of the telecommunications industry, corporate and enterprise-wide business managers who will be dealing with or seeking business opportunities in this sector, and entry-level employees taking up positions within the industry.

Expected Duration
2.0 hours

Lesson Objectives:

Telecommunications Industry Primer

  • recognize the benefit of understanding the major segments and technologies within the telecom industry.
  • match examples of the four major segments of the telecommunications industry to the services they provide.
  • distinguish between the characteristics of circuit- and packet-switched transmissions.
  • match the three major categories of telecom technologies to examples of each.

    • Telecommunications Regulations and Drivers

  • recognize the advantages of understanding how the regulatory environment and business drivers impact the telecom industry.
  • determine how the 1996 Telecommunications Act impacted the telecom industry.
  • match the types of telecom carriers identified by the Telecom Act of 1996 with examples of their regulatory distinctions within the industry.
  • recognize the major points of contention between the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
  • match the five trends driving the telecom industry to examples.

    • Challenges Facing Telecom Carriers

  • identify the advantages of recognizing the challenges affecting the telecom industry.
  • identify the three issues negatively impacting the telecom industry.
  • match the technological challenges the cable industry presents to telecom carriers with examples.
  • match the strategic challenges the cable industry presents to telecom carriers with examples.
  • Match the impact competition has had on telecom carriers and consumers with examples.

    • Strategic Solutions for Tomorrow and Beyond

  • recognize the benefit of identifying strategic solutions within the telecom industry.
  • identify the advantages of Voice over IP.
  • identify the disadvantages of Voice over IP.
  • identify the benefits to telecom carriers of adopting 3rd Generation Wireless technology.
  • match the customer service benefits of consolidation to examples of how each benefits telecom carriers.

    • Course Number: IND0209