Remote work has and continues to become the preferred work model, with the convenience and flexibility it offers both businesses and their employees.
That being said, it has required a complete rethinking of the way businesses operate, and telecom companies are no strangers to this challenge.
This is because telecom companies have to adapt in such a way that allows them to implement remote work in their organization and provide the infrastructure needed to support other companies looking to do the same.
This article explores how telecom companies are doing that, the challenges they face, and the future trends they can expect. Let’s begin.
Business and Employee Expectations in Remote Work
Remote work is a digital-first work model, which means that all the communication, monitoring, and projects are handled through the use of online tools and technologies. Naturally, to support all this, companies and workers demand faster and reliable internet services.
Additionally, employees may also demand flexible internet services such as 5G mobile plans to allow them to work from a place of their choice, such as a café, hotel, or even another city. Some internet providers in America make this possible, with Xfinity being a great example.
The provider covers 41 states and even caters to the needs of the second-largest minority in the country, Hispanics. They can reach out to Xfinity en Español for customer service in their native language, making it easier for them to use the internet as a business or as a remote worker.
That being said, to deliver this fast, reliable, and flexible internet, telecom companies need to go through certain steps, and the next section explores them.
Where and How Telecom Companies Are Adjusting To Remote Work
The steps eventually boil down to 4 major considerations, which are:
- Infrastructure Upgrades
- Spectrum Allocation
- Cybersecurity
- Ensuring Connectivity in Remote Areas
Let’s explore how the steps telecom companies are taking to deliver on each of these aspects, both for other companies and within their own operations.
Investing in Infrastructure Upgrades
Telecom companies will have to set aside significant budgets for the development or upgrades of infrastructure that can support different forms of fast and reliable internet. Some of these infrastructure upgrades can include fiber optics and 5G networks.
Developing Network Security
Since individuals can remotely access sensitive company data, creating a robust network security framework is a crucial consideration. Moreover, since employees could possibly be using a home network, the chance of hacking is greater. Telecom companies will need to create and act on cybersecurity policies to protect themselves, their employees, and also customer data.
Supporting Remote Communication Tools
As I mentioned earlier, most communication in remote work is entirely digital, whether it’s text or video calls. Focusing attention on supporting the convenient and uninterrupted use of such tools both themselves and beyond is also a major way that telecom companies are adjusting to this growing work model.
Remote Team Management Plans
Devising a unified solution that can efficiently manage remote teams, devices, and more can help make transitioning to remote work easier and more rewarding for telecom companies. Other companies also look for such solutions, and telecom companies can offer them as internet plans.
Digital Training Programs
Believe it or not, a lot of communities in America still face the digital divide, and that doesn’t really sit well if telecom companies are planning to go remote. Planning internal digital training programs to educate their own employees can make the shift to remote work easier for telecom companies. Telecom companies may also need to partner with other organizations to educate consumers on internet options, such as mobile or fiber internet, and work to provide it in even remote areas.
By following these steps, telecom companies can embrace remote work easily and efficiently themselves, and also enable other companies around America to do the same. However, keeping in mind certain technologies that may impact the future of remote work can help them plan and adapt accordingly. The next section explores some of them.
3 Technologies that May Impact The Future Of Remote Work
Certain emerging trends and technologies may offer profound opportunities for remote work, and knowing about them can help telecom companies prepare beforehand. In this section, I’ve shared 3 of the major ones. Take a look.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual and augmented reality have made significant improvements to the gaming world, and it’s only a matter of time before they’re used by companies everywhere. These technologies can create immersive virtual environments to make remote team collaboration easier and fun.
6G Networks
6G is the next phase of cellular network connectivity. While it’s still in the research and development phase, it promises much faster speed, capacity, and lower latency compared to 5G networks since it will use higher frequency bands, such as the terahertz (THz) spectrum.
Quantum Computing
Quantum computing is a form of computing that uses quantum physics principles to solve complex problems significantly faster than current supercomputers can. It can improve remote work in two ways. The first is improving cybersecurity measures through unbreakable encryption and quick threat detection. The second is making collaborations easier by allowing remote workers to access complex quantum systems using cloud platforms.
Remote Work – Just the Way of the Future
Remote work will only level up from where it’s reached today, and telecom companies can keep up with, and support it using the steps mentioned above.
Additionally, researching and preparing for the technologies that are set to revolutionize this work model can allow telecom companies to seamlessly embrace the way of the future.