Service Industries : The Telecommunications Industry

Overview

• The telecommunications industry is composed of businesses dealing in communications. As the national economy has advanced, telecommunications have become increasingly important. Development of telecommunications infrastructure has been crucial in building up the effectiveness and efficiency of the economic system and business sector.
• Information and telecommunications have now become an important element in the conduct of daily life. This may be seen in the fact that the great majority of people now carry mobile telephones. In addition, telecommunications systems are an essential feature in reducing operating costs, both in the state and the private sectors. For example, these systems reduce the need for travel, as the telephone can be used in lieu of face-to-face meetings.
• The telecommunications industry may be considered under three main categories, landline telephones, mobile telephones, and the Internet. The landline market having become saturated has been replaced by more advanced technologies, telecommunications providers now emphasize mobile telephone and Internet services, an important part of national infrastructure that will contribute to long-term competitiveness.
• In 1999, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) published standards for third generation (3G) wireless networks, titled International Mobile Telecommunications 2000 (IMT-2000). Five classes of network are specified:
1. IMT-DS (Direct Sequence), WCDMA
2. IMT-NC (Multi-Carrier), CDMA 2000
3. IMT-TD (Time-Division), TD-CDMA/TD-SCDMA
4. IMT-SC (Single Carrier), EDGE
5. IMT-FT (Frequency Time), DECT