Thread regarding CenturyLink layoffs

No, 5G is not coming quickly. Not at all.

It is coming. But slowly and sporadically.

"Not sure what universe this last poster is from. They are not from here. Wireline does not have to exist. They are still living in the old days.

One needs to stay in step with the times. The world has changed."

So Rural areas don't need wire? 45,000 is about a one light town these days, some areas where there are 10,million people don't have wireless and Cable still. Why because the old plant is there, they have not re developed that area to up grade because there are not 5000 to 10,000 people ready to hook up right away. The Cell Towers have not been upgraded yet. This company wants customers in hand first then will put out the technology. So those customers work of old DSL and Pots line off of repeaters in the field.

Zvql3ab-6vtz You are the one dreaming, I live in a city of over 45,000 and no 5G option here? We do have copper dsl, gpon, ftth, catv, and line of sight wireless. But NO 5G yet.

Not sure what universe this last poster is from. They are not from here. Wireline does not have to exist. They are still living in the old days.

One needs to stay in step with the times. The world has changed.

This post is simplistic, and overlooks and glosses over a bunch of issues. Authentic 5g doesn’t yet actually exist in most areas and the ramp up, though, underway, is just beginning as far as job creation and work is concerned in the vast majority of service areas. Customers don’t actually have real 5g networks to turn to, or if they do, as in downtown mpls, they find that their purchase of 5g phones and their subscription to 5g service is obsolete in most areas, and there are blind spots in the advertised areas. Gpon and copper data exist almost everywhere, and until the full 5g rampup is underway, they are the defacto option for customers until then. The fact is the industry is in turmoil as transition to 5g occurs, and network techs are caught in the middle, especially those near retirement. Anyhow the issue is too big for an adequate response in this forum. Suffice it to say that, as one poster said”wireline is over” is patently ridiculous as it has to exist for the foreseeable future to keep subscribers in service.

it just s---s for those that are 5-10 years from retirement, and nobody wants the old guy.

Here I come. Uber

5G provides wireless transport and core packet switching for packet switched networks. They will still require core fiber backhaul to the wireless company's point of presence, and there will still be equipment at the customer premise in many cases that will have to be installed and maintained. Those who take the initiative to train themselves in data networking, starting with the basics of the OSI model, and packet switched fiber and wireless transport systems will have no problem staying employed. This thread contains very good advice for young telecom workers who want to stay ahead of the obsolescence curve (unlike our CTL executive leadership.)

Just a question for Minneapolis techs how many customers have you lost to 5G since it rolled out in April and how many have you talked to who came back because it didn’t preform like advertised or it was not compatible with their equipment

Who is this very negative person? They need to go read “ who moved my cheese”.

CL sent their employees in the 80’s or 90’s to the course “ who moved my cheese”. It’s all about either go with the flow of change or get left behind waiting for the old ways. The old ways never come back.

One should look at the more positive aspects of change. It’s easy to be negative, but really it gets you no where. The young generation is used to constantly moving to new jobs. The older generation is not.

It hard, but look for new opportunities to learn and grow. Be positive. Things will work out. Put feelers out for new opportunities that may come your way. Think about whether it may be a great opportunity to maybe make that move you wanted to. Look up some positive articles to read about lifestyle changes when job changes

It’s always better to be positive. You will be happier and healthier. I left with a buy out offer. I didn’t have to, but it was my decision. It’s a personalized thing that everyone decides for them self.

It’s not the end of the world. The original poster has the right idea. Why be negative, it gets you no where.

God. Gloom and doom. Just bring on the package, i am ready.

Ok. Read the news. The End of the world is just around the corner. They now expect it to come faster than they thought.. your employment is old school. Nobody wants you or the upkeep.

Techs need to realize that life has changed and we need to change with it. Take courses, learn as much as you can about how you can market yourself in the new and coming world. Start taking classes in end of life and get bunker certified.

Start looking at cemetery markets that you can rebrand your head stone. Or go totally different and get into a different field like cremation. Start looking now for a new way to die. Rebrand yourself while you still have life. Be prepared.

You are absolutely right . Techs need to realize wireline is over. Ride this horse till it falls over but devise a plan for post life without CenturyLink. I left in January but had a plan and it is much better to not hear about layoffs. Also watching friends leave that I worked with for years. I wish you all luck but dont put your head in the sand but get ready