How can telecom professionals transition to cloud computing roles?

Cloud computing is transforming telecoms by reducing costs, increasing scalability, and improving performance. It allows faster deployment of services, greater market adaptability, and lower expenses. With high service availability, advanced security, and potential for innovation, cloud computing is driving the future of telecommunications.

Understand the convergence of telecom and cloud technologies. Recognize how cloud computing is reshaping the telecom industry by enabling virtualization, automation, and scalability. Leverage your telecom expertise to identify areas where cloud computing can enhance network performance, optimize resource utilization, and improve service delivery.

Telecom professionals can transition to cloud computing roles by acquiring cloud skills through training and certification, gaining hands-on experience, highlighting transferable skills from their telecom background, networking with peers, tailoring their resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and applying for entry-level roles to start building experience within the field.

Cloud is a game changer for Telco. It is not only embedded in the new 5G arquitecture that adopt the principles of cloud such a microservices, distributed architecture, split between infrastructure, network and applications but also it is the way that most of the systems will work on the network and IT side. It is also important to understand that Cloud it will be the underlying infrastucture for RAN in future. So you could thing that every single application(maybe besides legacy ones) will operate in cloud enviroment or adoption cloud principles (from datalakes, to IT applications, to Radio networks and Core applications).

Since Release 3GPP Release 8 (4G), the use of cloud-based network functions has been intensified and we see more and more use of Kubernetes and Dockers in the 4G, 5G and the virtualization is one of the pillars of 6G, the use of cloud is a way to provide unification, ease of implementation, elasticity and fast growth and upgrade of technology. The use of the cloud optimized the OPEX and CAPEX for the telco industry.

Cloud will require new roles in Telco: 1.Cloud Architects: Design/manage overall cloud strategy. 2.Cloud Security Specialists: Secure cloud environments and ensure compliance with data 3.Network Engineers: Manage/optimize virtual networks within cloud infras. 4.DevOps Engineers: Implement automation for deploying cloud services efficiently. 5.Data Scientists: Analyze large datasets stored in the cloud to improve services 6.Cloud Service Managers: Manage relationships with providers and oversee service delivery. 7.Site Reliability Engineers: Apply SW engineering principles to solve operational issues. 8.Compliance Officers: Adherence to regulatory and legal requisites.

Explore roles such as Cloud Architect, Cloud Engineer, DevOps Engineer, or Solutions Architect. These roles require a blend of technical skills in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP), networking concepts, and programming/scripting abilities. Focus on roles that involve designing, implementing, and managing cloud-based solutions for telecom operators or vendors. Your understanding of network protocols and infrastructure will be invaluable in these positions.

From my training experience, there is an important learning path to take to make the right and efficient transition to cloud computing as part of the telecom world. Knowledge of Cloud architecture and components is vital, the different layers like PaaS, IaaS, SaaS and FaaS are important to understand how cloud services are built. Understanding software components like Kubernetes, Dockers, DevOps, DevSecOps ... is vital to integrating the different network functions in telecom. It Is important as well to have practice on Openshift, OpenRAN, and other projects that are parts today of live networks.

Upskill in cloud computing technologies through online courses, certifications, and hands-on projects. Start with foundational certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect or Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator. Seek internal opportunities within your current organization to work on cloud-related projects or cross-functional teams. Express your interest in transitioning to a cloud role and showcase your willingness to learn. Network with professionals already working in cloud computing roles. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and engage in informational interviews to gain insights and build connections.

Continuously update your skills to keep pace with evolving cloud technologies and best practices. Stay curious and embrace a growth mindset to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. Develop strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex issues in cloud environments. Learn from failures and leverage them as learning experiences. Communicate effectively with cross-functional teams, including developers, network engineers, and business stakeholders. Translate technical concepts into business value and collaborate to achieve common goals.

Embrace automation and infrastructure-as-code (IaC) principles to streamline deployment processes and improve scalability. Familiarize yourself with tools like Terraform, Ansible, or Kubernetes for infrastructure management and orchestration. Stay informed about industry trends and emerging technologies in both telecom and cloud computing domains. This will help you anticipate future opportunities and position yourself as a valuable asset to your organization.Transitioning to a cloud computing role requires dedication, continuous learning, and a proactive approach to skill development. By leveraging your telecom background and adapting to the demands of cloud computing, you can thrive in this dynamic and rapidly evolving field.