Keep pace with fast-moving advances in telecommunications research and development. The list of telecom development continues to expand, with just a few of the top developments including the convergence of telephony and television, high-definition digital television and the end of analog broadcasting, or wireless broadband and the ever-growing markets this electronic infrastructure adapts to, as telecom development enables companies to build and maintain networks for education, healthcare, telecommuting, ecommerce, traffic infrastructure and public safety.

Whether you give the orders for the telecommunications development of your organization, or you work for a company that develops or installs telecommunications hardware or software, develop a regular regimen of telecommunications research and development education and training. Learn more about research and development in telecom in one of three venues:

1. See the long-term development of telecommunication networks and services with key industry players.

2. Meet with convergence gurus in industry associations.

3. Go deeper in telecommunication development with higher education.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discover the softer side of telecommunications research

As the telecommunications hardware and pipelines have been pretty well established, learn more about the long-term evolution taking place in telecom, such as the fourth-generation digital network, or soft services such as Operational Support Systems (OSS) that more companies provide to their customers.

I recommend: Alcatel-Lucent appears to be leading the 4G network hunt with a major network equipment contract from Verizon Wireless; log in and review their University catalog to stay in touch with the latest products and services. Telcordia Technologies, a major IP software and services provider, offers training for OSS applications.

Meet with the best telecom research companies on the future of convergence

Simply stated, a 'converged' telecommunications service provider can offer voice, data, video and multimedia services over a single pipeline. The implications immediately multiply once you move beyond copper or even fiber optics, with the wireless network: the Internet 2.0 allows any communication to occur anywhere at any time. Climb an admittedly steep learning curve with telecommunications industry research organizations that have a track record in the general industry and some traction in convergence.

I recommend: The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) sponsors the Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) and Certified in Convergent Network Technologies (CCNT) industry standard certification programs. Telecommunications Research Associates (TRA) provides e-learning courses in network fundamentals, broadband, wireless, IP and converged networks, and emerging technologies.

Take telecommunication research instruction to the next level with a college degree

Equip yourself with a college degree for a full-fledged career in telecom R and D, specializing either in the technical aspects of telecom research or in the management and strategies of emerging telecommunications developments and their market and policy implications.

I recommend: Founded in 1983 at Columbia University, the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information (CITI) is the first center established at a management school, focused on economics, management and policy. Located at the University of Colorado in Boulder, the Telecommunication Systems Laboratory has the advantage of proximity: it’s located in the same city as ITS, the research and engineering branch of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

So you've decided to consult with telecommunications development companies. You’ve made a wise move. Telecommunications development is a hot and growing field. However, when people think of telecommunications, the first thing that comes to mind is large corporations, such as Sprint, AT&T, or Verizon. However, if you want to be a successful business consultant, you must broaden your horizons, and think beyond these giants.

Telecom development involves small companies that you're probably unaware of. Some are in their infancy, funded by venture capital firms. Conduct your telecommunications research on these companies because this is where the growth and promises of profits lie. These telecom companies are developing new products and technologies that will benefit businesses and individuals. As you conduct your telecommunications research, here are some suggestions you might want to follow:

1. Work with telecom development companies that deliver high-quality video over IP.
2. Work with telecom development companies that deliver enhanced VoIP services.
3. Work with telecommunications research and development companies that deliver wireless innovative devices.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Work with telecom development companies that deliver high-quality video over IP

You want to stick with telecom development companies that create new media technologies over IP networks. Telecommunication development companies are producing video technologies that work in various formats, including mobile phones, computers, or IPTV. The videos are not only high-quality, but the technologies enable them to run efficiently and faster.

I recommend: Inlet Technologies makes encoding products that delivers high-quality video over IP networks. Based in Raleigh, NC, Inlet Technologies is heavily invested in research and development in telecom. Its products are designed for applications, including video on the web, digital archiving and dailies, real-time streaming, and video on demand. Clearleap, which is based in Atlanta, GA, converts high-quality video from the Internet to work on your television.

Work with telecommunications research and development companies that deliver enhanced VoIP services

Though VoIP is a fairly new technology, it's widely used by corporations as well as individuals. The technology has helped companies cut telecommunications costs, but telecom research companies are investing time and money into coming up with new enhancements for VoIP. As you conduct your telecommunications industry research, investigate new VoIP technological developments.

I recommend: RPM Communications aims to create VoIP features that help businesses communicate better and more efficiently. The company makes a product, Foonz, which enables you to initiate an instant group call. You can also use Foonz for other tasks, such as sending a voice message to a group; do this task any time, from any phone. Aztek Networks offers IP and switching gateway products. You can use its products to gradually switch to VoIP and IMS-based networks.

Work with telecom research companies that deliver innovative wireless devices

Wireless is a crucial component in telecommunications development. Businesses as well as individuals demand to have wireless access anytime and anywhere. They also demand the highest quality. Go with telecom development companies that are producing ground-breaking wireless devices and technologies.

I recommend: Sezmi, a small telecommunications and video service company, has developed the ability to deliver TV channels and Internet video content wirelessly to your television. This is all done through a proprietary set-up box. Colubris Networks makes wireless products that offer anytime and anywhere mobility services. This company was the first to create the 802.11n-ready wireless network. Wireless N is currently the fastest technology in the marketplace.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider becoming a member of the National Venture Capital Association. This is a good way to find telecom development companies that make innovative products. These companies seek out funds from venture capital firms.

Business professionals today would unanimously agree that telecommunications research and development has significantly improved business infrastructure over the last few decades. Advances in this field have made wireless Bluetooth devices more user-friendly and eliminated the need for meeting attendees to be present in the same room in order to hold conferences. Here’s an overview of key terms and facts explaining the forces driving telecommunications research and development.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Common-systems view

Because telecommunications comprises many subtopics, some professionals have taken the common-systems view approach to researching in this field. This means that they regard the smaller subtopics as complementing rather than excluding each other.

I recommend: Rutgers' Winlab explains it best. The university's researchers approach telecommunications as a combination of systems, including prototyping, analytical modeling and design work.

Cooperative terminal transmission

Cooperative terminal transmission is a relatively new field that telecommunications researchers are looking into. This technology operates by encouraging nodes from wireless devices to serve as a network of many nodes that, when combined, work like antennas.

I recommend: Read a discussion of cooperative terminal transmission research at the Center for Wireless Communications and Signal Processing Research where the developing technology will enhance the performance of wireless devices.

Digital compression technology

One of the most popular offspring of telecommunications research in the United States has been the development of digital compression technology, which is thought to produce better sound quality and picture.

I recommend: Consider the discussion at the National Association of Broadcasters to learn how digital compression technology is going to change television and radio for American consumers and what kind of media are likely to feel the greatest impact.

Video-teleconferencing

When you can simultaneously hear and view the people you are speaking to, you are using video-teleconferencing equipment, frequently described as the most 'cutting edge' devices in telecommunications research.

I recommend: Web Conference explains how video-teleconferencing can provide time- and cost-saving benefits to almost any business. You'll find out how this form of telecommunications allows you to conduct business with a much broader audience. You'll also get tips on how to set up video-teleconferencing meetings.

Wireless networks

Remote access, VPN security and Bluetooth are all examples of wireless networks, systems that support mobile computers and cell phones.

I recommend: Go to Tech FAQ to learn about the many layers that these networks operate on, as well as the most common types of wireless networks that are receiving special focus from telecommunications researchers.

Audio/web conference

An audio/web conference represents a combination of the most well-known kind of business telecommunication - the use of local and long-distance telephone service between multiple parties - and computer-based meetings.

I recommend: The American Planning Association explains the hardware and software requirements, in addition to suggesting a possible format for an audio/web conference.

Telecommunications research is growing at a quick pace, with new technologies and new telecommunications development emerging in all business industries. Telecom development in the areas of expanding networks, new network technologies and wireless applications for businesses have changed the way the business is conducted and has allowed savvy businesses to stay ahead of the competition.

Today, there are many telecom research companies that are conducting telecom research and development to help companies apply new technologies in their businesses. Research and development in telecom itself is a growing field, with many people dedicated to researching and implementing new wireless technologies. Telecommunication research is a global endeavor, with information and telecom research coming from all over the world. Staying up to date in this field, learning what the new technologies are and how they can be best applied to your business involves finding the right resources. Stay current with telecommunications research and development news and trends through the following:

1. telecom news sites;

2. telecom publications;

3. telecom blogs about telecommunication development.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Subscribe to RSS feeds at telecom research news sites

Several telecommunications research news sites can help you to stay current in telecommunication development. Most of them allow you to subscribe to their RSS feeds, which allow to you see the information and news without having to visit each and every site individually. Get all the latest telecommunications research and development news and trends quickly and efficiently.

I recommend: Tekrati Industry Analyst Reporter provides research news in networks and telecom. You can subscribe to RSS feeds for this specific news topic at the Tekrati site. Similarly, Fierce Wireless provides telecommunications research news on their website. Look for the RSS symbol to subscribe to this feed.

Get newsletters from telecommunications research publications straight to your inbox

Telecommunications industry research publications often provide e-newsletters with a subscription option. Have current information, news and trends about telecommunication research delivered right to your inbox, so that you can stay up to date.

I recommend: Communications News, a telecommunication news publication, provides a monthly email newsletter. Telephony Online provides a selection of newsletters about the latest in research, development, telecommunications. You can select to receive daily, weekly or monthly newsletters.

Check telecom blogs about research and development telecommunications

Many blogs provide commentary and highlights about the latest news and trends going on in the telecommunications research and development industry. These are good sources to access the latest news in the telecom field and how telecom development is impacting businesses.

I recommend: At Total Telecom, the editor's cut is a blog written by various contributors in the telecom field to provide the latest news and commentaries in the field. Total Telecom's blog lets you embed a widget on your desktop or website to see the news headings at a glance. No Jitter is another blog site that provides news about the telecommunication research industry. You can subscribe to an RSS feed for this blog.