Analysis of Telecommunications Industry

Nature of the Industry Working Conditions Employment Occupations in the Industry Training and Advancement Outlook Earnings

Nature of the Industry

Goods and services: The telecommunications industry delivers telephone, television,
Internet, and other services to customers throughout Bangladesh. Providing the primary means of communication to virtually all businesses, households, and individuals, telecommunications firms supply an essential service to the Bangladesh economy. In addition to offering traditional services such as wired phone and cable TV, telecommunications companies also offer services such as cellular phone, broadband and mobile Internet, and satellite TV, among others.

Industry organization: The telecommunications industry is divided into four main

sectors: wired, wireless, satellite, and other telecommunications establishments. The largest sector of the telecommunications industry continues to be made up of wired telecommunications carriers. Establishments in this sector mainly provide

telecommunications services such as such as wired (landline) telephone, digital subscriber line (DSL) Internet, and cable TV and Internet services. These organizations route TV, voice, Internet, data, and other content over a network of wires and cables, and control access to this content. They may own and maintain networks, share networks with other organizations, or lease network capacity from other companies. Establishments in the

telecommunications industry, however, do not create the content that is transmitted over their networks, such as TV programs in Bangladesh. Wireless telecommunications carriers provide telephone, Internet, data, and other services to customers through the transmission of signals over networks of radio towers. The signals are transmitted through an antenna directly to customers, who use devices, such as cell phones and mobile computers, to receive, interpret, and send information. A large component of this industry segment consists of companies that provide cellular phone service, which has grown rapidly over the past decade. Another component includes establishments that deliver mobile Internet services to individuals with Internet-enabled cellular phones and computers. Satellite telecommunications establishments are made up mostly of government and private organizations that transmit a variety of data through satellites, including photos of the earth, messages to and from public safety officials, and a variety of other information. Direct-to-home satellite TV providers, however, are classified with wired

telecommunications. Other sectors in the telecommunications industry include telecommunications resellers, as well as operators of other communication services ranging from radar stations to radio networks used by taxicab companies.

Recent developments:

Telecommunications carriers are expanding their data

transmission capabilities, known as "bandwidth," by replacing copper wires with fiber optic cables. Fiber optic cable, which transmits light signals along glass strands, permits faster, higher capacity transmissions than traditional copper wire. In some areas, carriers are extending fiber optic cable to residential customers, enabling them to offer cable television, video-on-demand, faster high-speed Internet, and conventional telephone communications over a single line. Wireless telecommunications carriers are deploying several new technologies to allow faster data transmission and better Internet access in an effort to make them more competitive in a market that includes wired Internet carriers. With faster connection speeds, wireless carriers can transmit music, videos, applications, and other content that can be downloaded and played on cellular phones, giving users mobile access to large amounts of data. In addition, as use of this mobile technology increases, wireless companies continue to develop the next generation of technologies that will allow even faster data transmission.

Working Conditions
Hours: Most workers in the telecommunications industry worked 40 hours per week in
2008, but about 14 percent worked more than 50 hours, on average. Workers in this industry are sometimes required to work overtime, especially during emergencies such as floods or hurricanes when employees may need to report to work with little notice to help restore network connections.

Work environment. Individuals in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations

work in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors, and in all kinds of weather. Their work involves lifting, climbing, reaching, stooping, crouching, and crawling. They often work in high places, such as rooftops and telephone poles. Their jobs bring them into proximity with electrical wires and circuits, so they must take precautions to avoid shocks. These workers must wear safety equipment when entering manholes, and test for the presence of gas before going underground.

Most telecommunications managers, administrative workers, and professionals work in clean, comfortable offices. Customer service representatives often work in call centers where they answer customer service calls, and may be required to work evening and weekend hours.

Employment
The telecommunications industry provided about 1.0 million wage and salary jobs in 2008. Wired telecommunications carriers accounted for about 666,100 of these jobs in 2008, while 202,700 were in wireless telecommunications carriers. Telecommunications jobs are found in almost every part of the country, but most employees work in cities that have large concentrations of industrial and business establishments.

Occupations in the Industry

Although the telecommunications industry employs workers in many different occupations, 52 percent of all workers are employed in either installation, maintenance, and repair occupations or office and administrative support occupations (table 1).

Table 1. Employment of wage and salary workers in telecommunications OF Bngldesh, 2008 and projected changes, 2008-2018. (Employment in thousands)
Employment, 2008 Occupation All Occupations Management, business, and financial occupations General and operations managers Management analysts Professional and related occupations Computer software engineers Computer support specialists Computer systems analysts Engineers Sales and related occupations Supervisors, sales workers Retail salespersons Sales representatives, services, all other Office and administrative support occupations Telephone operators Financial clerks Customer service representatives Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations 1,021.5 110.1 10.1 8.8 190.5 28.3 18.0 12.6 32.4 177.7 17.7 43.7 69.9 267.7 15.1 20.4 132.5 267.3 100.0 10.8 1.0 0.9 18.7 2.8 1.8 1.2 3.2 17.4 1.7 4.3 6.8 26.2 1.5 2.0 13.0 26.2 13.0 9.5 Percent Number Percent 2008-18 -8.8 -8.1 -19.7 -10.5 -5.4 -2.2 -19.3 -10.6 -10.0 -9.5 -10.0 0.3 -10.2 -8.0 -12.0 -5.5 -0.2 -11.5 -11.3 -11.8 Change,

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line 133.2 installers Telecommunications line installers and repairers 97.4

Training and Advancement

Training requirements in the telecommunications industry vary by occupation. Many jobs require at least a high school diploma in addition to on-the-job training. In addition, many positions require pre-employment testing to determine a candidates aptitude for technical or customer service roles. Other jobs require particular skills that may take several years of experience to learn completely. For some managerial, professional, and maintenance and repair jobs, employers require a college education. Because of the rapid introduction of new technologies and services, the

telecommunications industry is among the most rapidly changing in the economy. This means workers must keep their job skills up to date. Telecommunications industry employers now look for workers with knowledge of and skills in computer programming and software design; voice telephone technology, known as telephony; laser and fiber optic technology; wireless technology; and data compression. To maintain their skills and stay abreast of new technologies, workers may continue to receive training throughout their careers.

Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations: Many companies require

telecommunications line installers and repairers to have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. Often they are hired initially as helpers, grounds workers, or tree trimmers who clear branches from lines. Although many line installers and repairers do not complete a formal apprenticeship, they generally receive several years of on-the-job training, which may also include some classroom or online training. Technical knowledge of electricity or electronics obtained through military service, vocational programs, or community colleges can be helpful, and may be required for some employees. Because the work entails climbing, applicants should have physical stamina and should not be afraid of heights. Line installers may transfer to other occupations, such as telecommunications equipment installer and repairer, or they may move into other kinds of work, such as sales. Promotion to crew supervisor, technical staff, or instructor of new employees also is possible.

Most companies prefer to hire telecommunications equipment installers and repairers with postsecondary training in electronics; some choose to hire persons with experience as line installers. Training sources include 2-year and 4-year college programs in electronics or communications; trade schools; and training provided by telecommunications companies and equipment and software manufacturers. Employers often provide training to help equipment installers and repairers keep up-to-date with advances in current technology and improve their skills. The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) is one of several organizations that work with companies and unions to offer such training. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers may advance to jobs maintaining more sophisticated equipment or to engineering technician positions.

Office and administrative support occupations: Telephone operators should have

clear speech and good hearing; computer literacy and typing skills also are important. New operators learn equipment operation and procedures for maximizing efficiency. Formal classroom instruction and on-the-job training may last several weeks. Most customer service positions require a high school diploma, but some require an associate or bachelors degree. Good interpersonal skills are essential, and the ability to speak a second language may be helpful. On-the-job training generally lasts several weeks; it includes training in basic people skills, and provides the employee with information on the services offered by an organization and the questions that customers ask most frequently.

Professional and related occupations: A bachelor's degree in engineering usually is

required for entry-level engineers, while computer software engineers are generally required to possess a bachelors degree in software engineering, computer science, or a closely related field. Many network system and data communications analysts must also possess a computer-related bachelors degree, but some, such as telecommunications specialists, may qualify for employment with an associate degree or related experience. Continuing education is important for professionals as technology advances quickly.

Sales and related occupations: For most sales jobs, a high school diploma is
required. Most employers seek individuals with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to sell. Knowledge of telecommunications terminology can be helpful, but may not be required for employment. There is generally no formal education requirement for telemarketer positions.

Earnings
Industry earning: Average weekly earnings of nonsupervisory workers in the
telecommunications industry were $1,038 in 2008, significantly higher than average earnings of $608 in private industry. Table 2 presents wages in selected occupations in telecommunications. The table has shown to the next page.

Table 2. Median hourly wages of the largest occupations in telecommunications, May 2008
Occupation Computer software engineers, systems software Electronics engineers, except computer Network systems and data communications analysts Business operations specialists, all other Network and computer systems administrators Telecommunications All industries $41.84 38.85 36.48 34.06 32.68 $44.44 41.52 34.18 28.81 31.88 26.73 23.12 23.77 14.36 9.86

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, except line 27.60 installers Telecommunications line installers and repairers Sales representatives, services, all other Customer service representatives Retail salespersons 26.55 24.83 15.76 12.30

Findings of Telecommunication Sector

Benefits: Most full-time workers in the telecommunications industry receive substantial

benefits in addition to their salaries or hourly wages. This is particularly true for those workers covered by a collective bargaining agreement. About 20 percent of employees in the industry are union members or covered by union contracts, compared with about 14 percent for all industries. Many telecommunications employees belong to the Communications Workers of America or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

Lacking: In Bangladesh, this telecom industries are using quarter of their totally
capacity to provide services to the customers. They are currently outdated compare to other the telecom service providers in other countries of the world.