Roll-out of 4G technology with an increase in
data, entry of new players in the market, the introduction of digital wallets
and the popularity of smartphones leading to a consistent
increase in demand for technology are likely to increase job opportunities in
the telecom sector by 30 lakhs by 2018.
Emerging technologies such as 5G, M2M and the
evolution of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) are expected to
create employment avenues for almost 8,70,000 individuals by 2021, revealed a
joint study by Assocham-KPMG.
It said the existing manpower in the sector may
not be adequate both in number as well as in skill to cater to the upcoming
demand.
"There is a need to bridge the gap in
skill which on the one hand would require identification of skilled manpower in
diverse roles such as infra and cyber security experts, application developers,
sales executives, infrastructure technicians, handset technicians etc. as well
as on the other hand re-skilling of existing manpower working on existing
technologies for them to be updated with upcoming requirements."
The Telecom Sector Skill Council has been set
up to cater to the demands and skill needs of the telecom sector.
However, the industry recommended more targeted
and specialised skill development programmes that would enhance existing
manpower capabilities and availability to ensure the uninterrupted development of the sector as a whole.
The telecom sector has grown at 19.6 per cent
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in terms of subscriber base and at 7.07 per
cent CAGR from a revenue perspective over the last few years.
"TSPs (telecom service providers) have
continued to invest in their networks and modernise their existing network
infrastructure. Operators capital expenditure investments stand at Rs 85,003 crore during Q1 2017 and the
below figure depicts the significant capital expenditure investment during the
period 2012- 2016," stated the study.
