Software and digitalization are becoming central to every aspect of telecom network, from how they are architected and operated, to the very process of physically deploying them. Automating highly manual work is the next step in that trend, and it is already being implemented.
Automation is impacting the telecom workforce at both the network deployment and network operations levels. In network operations, the trend toward virtualization of network functions and automation of operations-related tasks means that IT skills are in high demand. Meanwhile, at the network edge, the increasing digitalization and automation of manual tasks such as network testing and documentation of daily work means that even network techs are being asked to have a higher level of software skills.
