Telecommunications

The telecommunications industry is responsible for the provision of a diverse range of services, such as voice telephony services utilising landlines, internet, pay television and mobile telephone services. The widespread take-up of high-speed digital transmission methods such as fibre optic cabling, and the increasing use of mobile telecommunications services, has resulted in rapid change and evolution in the industry.

In addition, the telecommunications industry in Australia and New Zealand has been heavily deregulated in recent years, and the traditional monopolies have been challenged.

The work

The two largest professional groups represented in the telecommunications sector are electronic/electrical engineers, and information technology professionals. New specialists in the field include laser and fibre optic engineers, who undertake research and design for the complex equipment required for fibre optic data transmission. Software and computer systems engineers, marketing professionals, project managers and accountants also find work in this field.

The industry is expected to provide substantial employment opportunities in the future for skilled, technologically competent staff. Employment prospects are good, with the expansion of existing networks and the need for continued research and development resulting in increased opportunities for engineers.

Due to its central role in facilitating internet usage and rapid digital information exchange, the telecommunications industry has been dubbed the backbone of the so-called ‘new economy’. Recent growth in the use of telecommunications services for data transportation has been significant, with data transmission expected to provide an ever increasing proportion of the revenue generated in the sector.

Graduates interested in a career in the industry should consider the following lifestyle factors:

  • Atypical hours: Shift work is common in some areas of the industry.
  • Stress: The need to keep up-to-date with constantly advancing technology can be demanding.
What you need

The telecommunications industry is highly competitive and constantly changing. Workers will increasingly be required to keep their job skills and knowledge up to date. Skills required vary with particular occupational groups. Large telecommunications companies recruit graduates from a wide range of disciplines, including IT, Business, Information Systems, Engineering, Computing, Human Resources and Marketing.

Money matters

In 2006, the Australian Graduate Survey indicated half of all bachelor graduates employed full-time in the telecommunications industry were earning between $30,000-$47,000, four to six months after completing their qualifications. For the following key occupations within the industry, the equivalent ranges were:

Computing Professionals: $36,000-$51,125

Electronic / Electrical Engineers: $40,000-$46,500

Sales Representatives: $20,000-$34,875

See www.gradsonline.com.au for current salary information.

Significant stats

As of February 2006, the industry:

  • Employed over 74,000 and had grown by around 7,900 jobs in the previous five years.
  • Recorded the highest profit margin within the ICT sector (17.7 per cent compared to an overall average of 9.7 per cent), for the 2004-05 year.

Source: except where indicated, figures taken from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Information and Communication Technology report (ABS catalogue

no. 8126).