2010 promises better job outlook: Race to 4G means more skill sets required, staffing firms say

The wireless sector probably didn’t fare as poorly as some industries in 2009, but nevertheless, telecom companies and individual employees felt the pain of the recession. The outlook for 2010 promises to be better as wireless carriers get ready to build out new networks, expand their third-generation systems and upgrade capabilities on existing networks.
2009 was a mixed year for wireless; WiMAX operator Clearwire Corp. embarked on an aggressive buildout strategy and new entrant Cox Communications Inc. started cobbling together a new wireless network at 700 MHz, resulting in substantial hiring at those companies as well as network providers Huawei and other contractors that won a piece of the business. Yet telecom providers AT&T Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. announced layoffs of 16,000 employees and contractors and at least 14,000, respectively, as did Rogers Canada, as wireline businesses lost traction with customers. Globally, poor financials at Nokia Siemens Networks resulted in an announcement of nearly 6,000 planned reductions. Closer to home, Sprint Nextel Corp. announced plans to lay off between 2,000 and 2,500 employees in order to reduce costs.
Staffing at the beginning of 2009 was light, but ticked up in the second half, said Tim Siebes, director, communications services, TEKsystems, a technology staffing and services company that staffs about 70,000 technology professionals each year.
Oh Canada
Canada was a bright spot for employment in 2009, staffing companies agreed, as Videotron, Globalive and Dave Wireless, all of which won new spectrum at auction in 2008, started to build out those networks to bring more competition to the Canadian marketplace. The prospect of increased competition spurred wireless operators Rogers Wireless and the Telus-Bell Canada partnership to announce advanced generation buildout plans, which also likely meant more jobs. Indeed, Bell Canada brought online its HSPA network in November, ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, set to start in February in Vancouver.
2010 outlook
Marc Ganzi, CEO of Global Tower Partners and current chairman of PCIA, said the entire infrastructure ecosystem should see a lot of activity next year as Clearwire continues its buildout, and Sprint Nextel Corp. and T-Mobile USA Inc. resume buildout activities. Further, the increased competition between Verizon Wireless and AT&T Mobility over which has the best network should bode well for the entire infrastructure segment, from tower companies to site acquisition specialists and throughout the ecosystem. “The private sector, the big six carriers, will put people back to work as they reinvest in their networks.”
“On a high level, we’re optimistic for 2010,” TEKsystems’ Siebes noted, as Clearwire continues to roll out its WiMAX network and Verizon Wireless plans to build out its LTE network.
Andrea Hopkey, president of Allstates Technical Services L.L.C., agreed, noting that as 3G deployments continue and 4G buildouts begin, carriers will need to enhance their existing cell sites and build new towers. The company, which has been providing staffing services since 1945, started staffing in the IT sector in the 1990s and moved into providing telecom staffing services a few years ago. The telecom staffing division is headquartered in Nashville.
Hot jobs
However, better job opportunities may not mean much to individuals if they don’t have the proper skill sits. Increasingly, telecom companies are looking for individuals that are as familiar with IP-based technology as they are with IT-based technology.
RF and network engineering, site acquisition and optimization positions are in demand, as well as construction project managers, Siebes noted. Microwave engineering and microwave technicians are also in demand as carriers move beyond T1 backhaul lines, noted Allstates’ Hopkey. There is reduced demand for outside plant managers, which typically work on wireline operations. Tower technicians and tower climbers are also in demand, she said.
Business checks
Staffing companies and outside consultants are usually early indicators of the economy, because companies are often wary to hire if the economy picks up if they have recently paid out severance to lay off employees, Hopkey noted. As such, they are sometimes more inclined to hire contract workers, she said.
Having said that, a quick check of some infrastructure companies echoed what the staffing firms have said. Employment in 2010 should be better than it was in 2009.
BCI Communications Inc. launched a staffing division, and is upbeat about the wireless industry today and going into 2010, said Angie Beck, national director, staff and development. “We’re growing a business in an economy that doesn’t grow businesses right now.” The company’s staffing business is focusing on construction, project management and field service.
For its part, wireless backhaul provider DragonWave has seen significant growth in the last four to six months and steady growth in operations and R&D areas, said Janet Clarke, director of human resources. “From what we’ve seen, we will have headcount growth in 2010,” including hirings for sales, sales engineering and technical support.
Crown Castle International Corp. keeps a steady staff of about 1,100 in the United States and another 100 in Australia, said Sandy deSostoa, director, communications at Crown. “The areas in which we continue to recruit are field operations, including construction managers and project manager positions. We operate in 91 of the top 100 markets, so we’re able to serve the carriers virtually when and where they need us.”