Consulting in telecommunications: ALTEN as a partner for innovation

What originally led you to ALTEN and why did you choose the telecommunications industry?

I was contacted via LinkedIn at the time. At that point, I had been working as a construction manager in FTTX expansion at a civil engineering company in the Nuremberg region for a good year. The offer sounded exciting, so I took a closer look at ALTEN.

I have been working in the telecommunications industry since 2013. I got my start through Tempton and since then I have covered many different areas: from business customer connections to the commissioning of node locations, project management in engineering with personnel responsibility to BOS radio for companies such as Telekom, Vodafone, Versatel, Telefónica, and M-net.

Looking back, I can say that this industry is exactly what I always wanted to do.

What experiences have particularly shaped your career at ALTEN and what do you appreciate about your current job?

ALTEN is my first job as a consultant and what I have experienced so far has convinced me. I particularly appreciate the opportunity to actively contribute my technical expertise and really help shape projects.

My teams are also a big plus for me. On the one hand, there is my local team in Nuremberg: I am one of the colleagues who enjoys working on site on a regular basis. Even though we all work for different clients, the personal exchange is very valuable to me.

Secondly, my team in the telecommunications sector: we are internationally positioned. Colleagues from Germany, Romania, and Morocco contribute different perspectives and experiences. This diversity enriches our work enormously and ultimately results in a successful rollout.

And thirdly: cross-departmental collaboration. Whether with HR or health management, I always feel that I am working with colleagues on an equal footing.

What technological trends are you currently observing in the telecommunications industry?

You must distinguish between fixed-line and mobile communications. In fixed-line communications, the focus remains on fiber optic expansion. Copper now plays only a minor role. At the same time, the market continues to consolidate.

In mobile communications, the focus is currently on the large-scale rollout of 5G, including at Telefónica, where I am currently working on a project. The challenges here include providing coverage for so-called “white spots,” network coverage at events, and along transportation routes.

We are already seeing 6G on the horizon. I am convinced that this will be a major topic by the year 2030 at the latest.

What challenges are companies currently facing, and how can ALTEN help them?

One example is solutions such as lampsites: Streetlights or advertising columns that are converted into mobile phone sites. Closing coverage gaps in rural areas also remains a key issue.

In addition, mobile networking is creating new fields of application: for example, real-time delivery tracking, extremely fast data transfer, AI-controlled applications, and even the “dark factory.”

ALTEN offers telecommunications customers real added value through its international team structure. We can contribute expertise from countries where technologies are already established.

ALTEN networks expertise across industry boundaries, whether in automotive, aerospace, or medical technology. Often, a phone call is all it takes to get valuable input from other areas. For me, that is a win-win situation in action.

What skills are particularly in demand today to be successful in the industry?

Technical knowledge is important, but communication skills and project management are crucial.

Many career changers work in telecommunications because there are hardly any traditional training paths. Those who can communicate well and structure projects have the best prerequisites. The technical details come with time.

I even wrote a book about how technology works in FTTX expansion from the end customer’s perspective. It was important to me to explain non-technical aspects as well.

Where do you see the telecommunications industry in five years and what role will ALTEN play in this?

By the end of the decade, fiber optic expansion (FTTH) will be well advanced. Only a few rural areas will still be missing. The 5G expansion should be complete, and 6G will be in preparation.

I also think the market will consolidate, and we will then see a very different picture of providers than we do today.

With the integration of iconec, we have gained a great deal of expertise. If we succeed in bringing this expertise to other carriers and technology providers and continue to leverage our strengths in areas such as AI, ALTEN will play a significant role in shaping the future.

Are there any technologies or developments that you are particularly excited about?

Yes, once we have achieved nationwide FTTH coverage and 6G is just around the corner, things will get really exciting. I am particularly fascinated by the concept of the “dark factory” – fully automated, networked production. That is the future.