Telecommunications Research and Development Education and Training

Prepare yourself for the fast-evolving world of telecommunications research and development
By John Williams, Business Writing and Research 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.

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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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).