PDF of this tutorialDefinition
A telecommunications network is the combination of numerous network elements that are required to support voice, data, or video services in local or long-distance applications. A telecommunications network is the foundation of all telephony activity; it is the network that connects the end user to virtually anywhere in the world through the use of copper cable, coaxial cable, and fiber cable—or through wireless technology such as microwave or satellite.
The deployment of the telecommunications network is the final stage of the process, and it requires experts from a number of different disciplines, including design (outside plant and central office [CO]), construction (outside-plant cable placing), and CO equipment installation and testing. The most effective way to manage this stage of the process is to use a company that serves as a single point of contact with project-management expertise and that can manage every aspect of the entire job (see Figure 1).
Figure 1. Deployment of a Telecommunications Network
Overview
The recent deregulation of the telecommunications industry has opened up a whole new line of business in the area of installation and construction of telecommunications networks. For the most part, these businesses are made up of small companies that can offer partial solutions to large projects, with only a few companies offering total turnkey solutions.
Major carriers, particularly regional Bell operating companies (RBOCs), are beginning to recognize a recent lack of quality control from a number of small vendors. The world is experiencing a shortage of skilled resources and increased costs and yet remains reluctant to hire and train people. As a result, there has been a movement to a small number of large preferred suppliers. Consequently, the recent trend in the telecommunications industry is to move away from using numerous small contractors who are able to complete various pieces of the project, and head toward outsourcing the deployment of entire networks to companies that can serve as a single source supplier. Some of the key benefits of outsourcing to a company that provides turnkey solutions are as follows:
- project management—ensures on-time, on-budget, and quality completion of the project
- high quality of service (QoS) and workmanship
- resources—large number of highly skilled technicians on staff
- continuous training of resources—leading-edge technology
- size and affiliations—financial stability
