Wade4Wireless

Coping with 5G Job Cuts: Strategies for Transition and Growth


Good news and bad news:

Listen up, folks. The 5G market’s been shedding jobs like a Siberian Husky in summer, and it’s not pretty. I’ve been on this beat before, and let me tell you, it’s a mess out there. The tower industry’s taken a hit that’s rippled out faster than gossip in a high school cafeteria.

First to walk the plank were the tower climbers and contractors—those brave souls scaling the heights only to find the ground cut out from under them. Tower companies? They’re slimming down faster than a startup burning through its funds.

And the big dogs? They’re axing tower divisions like last season’s fashion because, let’s face it, the margins are thinner than a supermodel on a juice cleanse.

Project managers and engineers at carriers are feeling the squeeze, and OEMs are handing out pink slips like their flyers for a clearance sale. Mergers are the new black, offering a glimmer of hope for work in overlapping markets—until they don’t.

AT&T’s swapping Nokia for Ericsson, which might keep the lights on in the AT&T-now-Nokia markets for a hot minute. And T-Mobile’s gobbling up US Cellular, promising a buffet of old-to-new equipment swaps and rural coverage that’ll keep folks busy… eventually. But don’t hold your breath; we’re talking about the end-of-2025 before that party gets started, thanks to the red tape tango.

Now, before you start doomscrolling, remember: change is a pain in the assets, but it’s not the endgame. Got the pink slip blues? Join the club. It’s a rite of passage in this industry—like hazing, but less fun.

Keep in mind:

  • Tower climbers and contractors all got cut first.
  • Tower companies downsized and shut down.
  • Larger companies cut their tower divisions since they were no longer profitable and it’s low margin business.
  • Project managers and engineers in the carriers got hit.
  • OEMs laid off a lot of people due to the loss of business.
  • Mergers continue to happen, which means some work may be sustained in the overlap markets, until the mergers happen.
  • AT&T replacing Nokia with Ericsson may see work sustain in the AT&T now Nokia markets for another year or so.
  • The T-Mobile takeover of US Cellular will help increase migration of old equipment to new equipment, lots of rural coverage. That work probably won’t start until the end of 2025 due to regulatory approvals, planning, design, and site acquisition processes.

The previous hit was deep and went well beyond the tower industry. The loss of work in telecom was a ripple effect.

It’s not all doom and gloom, but change hurts.

Let’s try not to panic. If you’ve gotten laid off or if you see the writing on the wall, then it’s tough not to panic. I know I get nervous about losing my job. Things have been tough for all of us. I think most people have been through a layoff, job change, or a company closing its doors. It’s happened to most of us. It sucks.

I originally wrote this to be gloomy so I had to rewrite it because I didn’t want anyone to get down, but let them know there are options. Don’t despair!

What I recommend to you, (and myself), is to stop whining and start taking action! Sitting around bitching isn’t helping anyone, it’s just annoying the people around you. 

Let’s look at some options:

Try not to get angry. It doesn’t do any good. Yet, I still get pissed off when I see my company, partners, and customers do stupid things. However, all of that is out of your control. 

Here’s the deal: whining’s about as useful as a chocolate teapot. So cut it out. Instead, let’s talk about action. Angry? Sure, we all are. But unless you’ve got a magic wand, that anger’s as effective as yelling at your microwave to cook faster.

All you can do is worry about you.

What’s in your control? Your next move. Got savings? Good. You’ll need it. Ditch the fluff—Netflix, Amazon, that avocado toast subscription—whatever’s eating your wallet. And network like it’s your job—because it kind of is.

  • If you have contacts in the business, reach out. People reach out to me all the time, unfortunately most people in the industry are going through the same thing. Don’t get your hopes up and don’t get mad at them if they can’t do anything. Remember, it’s your problem, not theirs.
  • If you can’t get something in your industry, you have to branch out into other industries. See below.

If you’re a tower climber, try reaching out to construction companies. They may need your skill set or maybe you can migrate over to fiber companies. You could do steel work, any construction, or fiber work. Don’t rule out private networks or small cell work. You have options but you have to reach out and be open.

If you’re a project manager and you’re looking, you should be in good shape. It won’t be quick because you have a lot of competition. The PM sector got hit the hardest. Fortunately, you can oversee construction of anything. Be open and look at companies who may be deploying shopping malls, generators, residential homes, larger buildings, electrical infrastructure, and so on. The door is wide open.

If you’re an engineer, telecom is tough but you have options. You could become a contractor and work as called, if you’re comfortable with that. It’s going to be contracted out on a shorter term. Sure, that sucks but it’s income. 

Engineers could also hone their skills for other industries depending on what training and degrees you have. You have to see what you can and want to do but the cloud datacenter growth is booming. It opened the door to architects, engineers, electricians, and estimators. Think about where you can add the most value and look for openings. Reach out to contacts in companies that may have a datacenter side and see if you can add value. 

IT guys should have no problem, see the data center note above. You guys could go anywhere and do almost anything. However, contacts matter. Get on LinkedIn and try to make as many contacts as possible. Post your experience and certifications ASAP. There’s plenty of work out there.

I think most sales guys could work anywhere. If they want to make money, they have to look at the hot industries. That may be something they need to talk to peers to understand what the pay and bonus structure is like. When I say bonuses in sales, I really mean commission. Commissions are usually how these guys make the real money. They also have more relationships than most anyone else in the industry. These guys know so many people but are closest to the customers they work with. That is why they may stay in telecom because their customers are telecom customers. That may be where the money is.

It’s OK to leave the Telecom Industry!

And if you’re thinking of jumping ship from telecom, let me be clear: the industry won’t miss you. It’s all about the Benjamins, baby. Downsizing’s a dance, and everyone’s doing it—from the frontlines to the corner office. But remember, respect goes a long way, and being a decent human being? Priceless.

For one, the industry really doesn’t care about any of us. Larger companies don’t care about use either. Even if they say they do, you see how they treat the people they say they care about. To be clear, they care about making money, which is their job. 

  • Shareholders want a return. 
  • Executives want bonuses. 
  • We want a paycheck and bonuses if possible. 

When downsizing comes, the frontline goes first. The managers go next, after deep worker cuts. Then the directors and VPs. And if the ship is still taking in water, an executive or two. 

If the ship is sinking, think Boing, then the CEO and maybe his team get the boot. A lot has to happen to see the CEO ousted. But that is generally the last resort and all of the above have to happen first. 

History repeats itself. 

So, my point is, no one cares if you leave the telecom industry except maybe you and your coworkers. Companies don’t care, but your boss and fellow workers care, especially if they like and respect you. Respect is huge, if you are a competent worker who goes above and beyond, people respect that. Even if you’re a bit of an asshole, people want to work with someone good even if they’re difficult. 

However, it pays to be nice and respectful to others. Your boss may not want to tolerate a brilliant asshole if someone else is competent and pleasant to work with. It pays to be well rounded and balanced. 

My point is, be open to new opportunities. 

Don’t rule out learning a new skill set or job

Don’t rule out moving into a new role. Be open! Maybe you don’t know how much is out there, so let me point out some roles you could move into. 

Maybe you want to try becoming a project manager. That means you would have to manage people, projects, material, or anything. Some companies want you to have your PMP certification. On the other hand, if you get in with a larger company, they may help you get it. I had all the training to get it when I worked for Qualcomm, even though I was a manager, I could have gotten it through them and they would have paid for it. PMP certifications are not free! They generally run around $555 to take the test. Then to get it you have to pass the test. There are also many additional requirements if you’re interested. 

You could become a vendor manager if you know a lot of crews. You have to go to the other side and start talking people into the price you want to pay and not the price you want to get paid. Most companies today hire contractors so most larger companies need a vendor management team. It’s more common than you think.

You could move into logistics, which is basically managing shipments, warehousing, and anything to do with tracking and moving material. While this sounds easy on top, it is a very stressful job.

If you understand what equipment and labor costs, then you want to become an estimator or a solutioning person. I see that kind of movement all the time. You need to be ready to train or do something new. Whether you move into sales or presales, the choice is yours. 

Keep in mind they usually work more off commission so the pay structure is different. That means you need to adjust your mindset to sales and your pay may not be as stable as it was in the past. If you move from a normal paycheck to one where sales add to your pay and lack of sales hurts your pay. 

Using LinkedIn

To be honest, LinkedIn is getting more and more spammy. Yet, for me it’s still the best way to reach out to others in the industry. 

Make sure you update your profile to let people know you’re free. While this may hurt your chance of getting more money it will let people know you’re available to work.

Make sure you change your status to “available for work”.

Reach out to friends and family, see if they know anyone who is looking. Don’t be pushy or desperate. Just ask nicely and if you want, explain your situation. I think if you remain calm and rational it sets a better example.

Use the LinkedIn job openings and see if anything is there. This has never worked for me except when I learned all about rejection. I guess because I am old, they don’t even want to talk to me, but I can’t prove that.

Be careful of people trying to sell you something. One thing I see is a ton of people who will add you to a paid service or write your resume for a fee so that you have a better chance of getting a job. If you feel you need help, great, use them. Just be careful because I have had people hit me up all the time.

Be careful of all the spammers and other crazy people that will just suck down your time. There are tons of them out there who want to sell you something or steal your data. 

Where are the opportunities today?

If you’re looking for an industry to get into, I think there are opportunities. 

  • AI points to datacenter work is expanding, so all the above jobs may be needed.
  • Generators are being added everywhere, that could be something you can do.
  • Private wireless networks are taking off, this opens up opportunities.
  • Poles are being installed everywhere, not just for small cells but also lamps at shipping center and strip malls. Be open to expanding. 
  • Utility companies are expanding to keep up with data center growth, this could be a place to go for the expansion.
  • New data centers are being added in shelters like cell sites, this is going to take off over the next 5 years. These need to be built, placed, powered, and backup power.
  • Be open to starting your own company. Maybe a tower company, a contractor, or even a bucket truck team. If you want to start your own business, this may be the opportunity to do it.

Summary

Tower climbers, look to construction. Project managers, the world’s oyster—shopping malls, generators, you name it. Engineers, the cloud datacenter boom’s your ticket to ride. IT folks, you’re golden; just make sure your LinkedIn’s as polished as your shoes. Sales pros, remember: commissions are king, and relationships are your realm.

Video overview

Lean into Learning: The landscape of opportunity is vast, and it’s time to chart a new course. Consider project management – it’s not just about herding cats. It’s about steering the ship, juggling resources, and hitting milestones. Yes, the PMP certification has a price tag (think $555 for the exam), but it’s an investment in your marketability. And if you’re in the right company, they might just foot the bill.

Vendor Management – The Art of the Deal: If you’re the one who knows everyone on the ground, flip the script. Negotiate the deals, manage the contractors – it’s a role more vital than you think, as the gig economy reshapes the corporate landscape.

Logistics – The Unsung Hero: It’s the backbone of commerce, managing the flow of goods from point A to B. Stressful? Absolutely. But also critical and rewarding.

Estimation and Solutioning – The Numbers Game: If you’ve got a knack for cost analysis, step into estimation or solutioning. It’s about foresight and strategy, and there’s a growing demand for those who can price the future.

Sales and Pre-sales – The Commission Crusade: Ready for a rollercoaster? Sales roles may offer variable pay, but they also offer the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of closing the deal.

Navigating LinkedIn – The Modern Rolodex: Sure, it’s a jungle out there, but LinkedIn remains the premier digital networking platform. Keep your profile sharp and signal your availability. Network with grace, not desperation. And beware of the siren call of spammers and scammers.

Opportunity Knocks – Where to Look: The tech tide is rising, and with it, a wave of roles in AI, data centers, and private networks. Infrastructure is expanding – think generators, poles, and utility upgrades. And for the entrepreneurial spirit, the time is ripe to launch your venture, be it a tower company or a bucket truck brigade.

So, keep your head up, your options open, and your skills sharp. The future’s out there, and it’s waiting for you to grab it by the antennas.

You can get the Private Wireless Networks Handbook today!

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  • Looking for companies in IT, Fiber (indoor or outdoor), wireless, Wi-Fi, FWA, Venue or DAS.
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  • Smaller companies, maybe 4 to 15 employees.
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  • Who they can help:
    • Companies or people who need to grow, expand, hire more.
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    • Grow your teams.
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Email me at wade@techfecta.com to be vetted.

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