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Mohit Kumar

Explore the dynamic and ever-evolving world of telecommunication networks in this comprehensive introductory course. Designed for both beginners and those looking to expand their knowledge, this course offers a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin modern telecommunications.

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Explore the dynamic and ever-evolving world of telecommunication networks in this comprehensive introductory course. Designed for both beginners and those looking to expand their knowledge, this course offers a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin modern telecommunications.

Starting with the basics, you'll journey through the history and development of telecom networks, tracing their evolution from early wired communication systems to the advanced wireless networks that define today's digital age. You'll gain insight into how these networks operate, the technologies that power them, and the critical role they play in connecting people and businesses across the globe.

A key focus of the course is the global internet infrastructure, where you'll learn how data is transmitted across vast distances, the architecture that supports seamless global connectivity, and the challenges of maintaining and expanding this network in an increasingly connected world.

Additionally, the course provides an in-depth exploration of the different generations of telecom technology—from the pioneering 1G networks to the transformative potential of 5G. You’ll understand how each generation has impacted society, driven innovation, and shaped the future of communication.

By the end of this course, you'll have a robust understanding of telecommunication networks, the global internet, and the technological advancements that continue to drive the industry forward. Whether you’re a student, professional, or tech enthusiast, this course will empower you with the knowledge to navigate and contribute to the ever-changing telecom landscape.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course
Introduction
Course objectives
Course sections
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Understand the current connectivity landscape
Global internet
Global internet (contd.)
Introduction to Communications and Telecommunications
Section introduction
Basics of Communications and it's types
Signal types: Analog vs. Digital
Bandwidth
Signal distortions and Noise
Capacity of a medium
Classification of communication medium
What is Telecommunications?
Electromagnetic waves
Modulation
Understand the key organisation and standardisation bodies of telecom
Standards and Standardization
ITU
ETSI
IEEE
3GPP
Cellular Networks: 2G to 5G
Key milestones for Communications networks
Evolution of Telecommunication networks - PSTN, Switching and Two-way radios
Pre-Cellular Systems OR 0G Networks
1G Networks
2G Networks
3G Networks
4G Networks
Impact of Emerging Technologies
Cloud computing, Cloud Native architecture and Edge computing
Higher frequency bands and Advanced antenna techniques
[Bonus] Telecom Business: Impact and Opportunities
Telecom Business - Impact and Opportunities

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Explores the evolution of telecommunication networks from 1G to 5G, offering a historical perspective on technological advancements
Examines the role of key organizations like ITU, ETSI, IEEE, and 3GPP, which is helpful for understanding industry standards
Covers signal types, bandwidth, and modulation, which are fundamental concepts for understanding telecommunications
Discusses the impact of emerging technologies like cloud computing and edge computing, which is relevant for future trends
Includes a bonus section on the impact and opportunities in the telecom business, which may be useful for career development
Requires understanding of electromagnetic waves, which may necessitate prior knowledge of physics or electrical engineering

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Telecommunication networks with these activities:
Review Basics of Networking
Reinforce your understanding of fundamental networking concepts to better grasp the complexities of telecommunication networks.
Browse courses on Networking Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Review key networking concepts.
  • Practice subnetting exercises.
  • Summarize the OSI model.
Read 'Data Communications and Networking' by Behrouz Forouzan
Deepen your understanding of data communication principles, which are essential for comprehending telecommunication network architectures.
Show steps
  • Read assigned chapters.
  • Take notes on key concepts.
  • Answer end-of-chapter questions.
Follow Online Tutorials on Network Simulation
Enhance your practical skills by following online tutorials on network simulation tools like NS-3 or GNS3.
Show steps
  • Choose a network simulation tool.
  • Find relevant online tutorials.
  • Follow the tutorials step-by-step.
  • Experiment with different network configurations.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Compile a Glossary of Telecommunication Terms
Improve your understanding of telecommunication terminology by creating a comprehensive glossary of key terms and definitions.
Show steps
  • Identify key terms from the course.
  • Research definitions for each term.
  • Organize the terms alphabetically.
  • Review and refine the glossary.
Create a Presentation on 5G Technology
Solidify your knowledge of 5G technology by researching and presenting its key features, benefits, and challenges.
Show steps
  • Research 5G technology.
  • Outline the presentation.
  • Create presentation slides.
  • Practice the presentation.
Design a Simple Telecommunication Network
Apply your knowledge by designing a basic telecommunication network for a specific scenario, such as a small office or a residential area.
Show steps
  • Create a network diagram.
  • Document the design choices.
  • Define the network requirements.
  • Choose appropriate technologies.
Explore 'Wireless Communications' by Theodore Rappaport
Gain a deeper understanding of wireless communication principles, which are crucial for comprehending modern telecommunication networks.
Show steps
  • Read selected chapters.
  • Summarize key concepts.
  • Relate concepts to real-world applications.

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Telecommunication networks will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Telecommunications Specialist
A telecommunications specialist is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of telecommunication systems. This course helps explore the history and development of telecom networks, which is beneficial background knowledge for a telecommunications specialist. The focus on the global internet infrastructure and the different generations of telecom technology are areas directly applicable for this role. The course's in-depth exploration of technologies, from 1G to 5G networks, helps someone interested in becoming a telecommunications specialist. Moreover, the course's coverage of key organizations like ITU, ETSI, IEEE, and 3GPP is relevant to understanding industry standards.
Wireless Network Engineer
A wireless network engineer designs, implements, and manages wireless communication systems, which includes the planning and maintenance of cellular networks. This course helps provide an introduction to the evolution of telecommunication networks, including cellular networks, which helps someone who wants to become a wireless network engineer. An understanding of the different generations of telecom technology is crucial for this role; this course covers 1G to 5G. The exploration of topics such as modulation may be particularly helpful for an aspiring wireless network engineer. Moreover, the course covers advanced antenna techniques, which are fundamental for wireless network design.
Communications Systems Engineer
A communications systems engineer designs and develops communication systems and equipment. This course provides a foundation in understanding the fundamentals of communication systems, which is helpful to someone who wants to become a communications systems engineer. This course's exploration of signal types and modulation directly relates to the role of a communications systems engineer. The course's coverage of the evolution of telecommunication networks, from 0G to 5G, provides valuable context. The focus on key standardization bodies like ITU, ETSI, and 3GPP, also enhances the knowledge of an aspiring communications systems engineer.
Network Technician
A network technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots telecommunication networks. This course helps build a foundation in the fundamental concepts and principles of modern telecommunications, which is essential for a network technician to understand. Learning about network operations, the technologies that power them, and their role in connecting people and businesses, is highly relevant to the work of a network technician. The course's exploration of the global internet infrastructure is directly applicable to the networking skills a technician needs. Specifically, the study of signal types, bandwidth, and signal distortions directly apply to the day to day activities of a network technician.
Radio Frequency Engineer
A radio frequency engineer works with radio waves and wireless communication technologies. This course helps provide a foundation in the fundamental concepts and technologies used in wireless communications. A radio frequency engineer will benefit from an understanding of electromagnetic waves and modulation, which are covered in this course. Likewise, the exploration of different generations of telecommunication networks in the course will also help a radio frequency engineer. This course’s inclusion of advanced antenna techniques also increases the value.
Network Administrator
A network administrator is responsible for maintaining and managing computer networks, ensuring they run efficiently and securely. This course provides an introduction to network operations, the technologies that power them, and their role in connecting people and businesses. A network administrator will benefit from an understanding of how data is transmitted across networks and the course covers this in the context of the global internet. The course content on signal types, bandwidth, and signal disruptions may help someone who aspires to become a network administrator. A network administrator also benefits from familiarity with standardization bodies, which are covered in this course.
Telecommunications Analyst
A telecommunications analyst researches and analyzes data related to telecommunication systems and trends. This course helps provide a background in the evolution of telecommunication networks from early wired systems to advanced wireless networks. The course's focus on different generations of telecom technology and their impact on society gives a telecommunications analyst a historical perspective. Further, the analysis of technical elements of telecommunications is enhanced by learning core concepts such as signal types and bandwidth, taught in this course. Learning about key organizations and standardization bodies, as covered in this course, is also important for an analyst working in telecommunications.
Internet Service Provider Technician
An internet service provider technician installs, maintains, and troubleshoots internet infrastructure within the ISP. This course's focus on the global internet infrastructure provides context to the work of an internet service provider technician. The course helps someone understand how data is transmitted across vast distances and the architecture that supports global connectivity, which is beneficial for someone in this role. The course's content on signal types, bandwidth, and capacity of a medium is directly relevant to the work of a technician. An internet service provider technician will also be working with telecommunication standards, so studying the ITU and ETSI standardization bodies in the course is valuable.
Satellite Communications Engineer
A satellite communications engineer designs and operates satellite-based communication systems. While this course does not directly focus on satellite technologies, it helps build a foundation in the fundamental principles of telecommunications, which is valuable for a satellite communications engineer. The course's exploration of how data is transmitted across vast distances will benefit anyone who may become a satellite communications engineer. The course content on signal types, bandwidth, and signal distortions is also core to satellite communications. The study of key standardization bodies is beneficial for understanding industry standards.
Fiber Optics Technician
A fiber optics technician installs, maintains, and repairs fiber optic cables used in telecommunication networks. This course helps provide a general understanding of telecommunication networks, which may be useful to a fiber optics technician. Although this course doesn't directly cover fiber optics, the course's topics on communication mediums and bandwidth are relevant. An understanding of signal transmission, which this course covers, is relevant to the work of a technician in this field. The study of telecommunications standards, covered in the course, may also be useful.
Technical Support Specialist
A technical support specialist provides support to customers who are using telecommunication products or services. This course helps provide a general introduction to the principles and technologies behind telecommunication networks, which is helpful for a technical support specialist. The course's exploration of various communication mediums and signal types provides context in understanding network related issues, which may help a technical support specialist. The study of the evolution of telecommunications technology, from 0G to 5G, helps provide a background understanding that may help with tech support.
Project Manager
A project manager in telecommunications oversees and coordinates telecommunications projects. This course helps provide an overview of the telecommunications landscape, which may help a project manager. The course's focus on the different generations of telecom technology provides a valuable context about the changes in the field. This broad understanding may help when a project manager considers the impact of technical decisions on project timelines or resources. The course may help provide a project manager with a better understanding of the technical challenges involved with communication technology.
Sales Engineer
A sales engineer provides technical expertise to support the sale of telecommunication products or services. Although this course does not focus on sales techniques, it helps provide a broad understanding of telecommunication technologies. A sales engineer who is familiar with the fundamentals of telecommunication networks, and the different generations of telecom technology, may more effectively articulate the technical value of their products. The course's content provides a technical background that a sales engineer might need. Likewise, the information on signal types and bandwidth may allow a sales engineer to better communicate with engineering teams.
Business Development Manager
A business development manager identifies and pursues new business opportunities within the telecommunications sector. This course may help a business development manager by providing a general overview of the telecommunications industry. The course's investigation of the different generations of telecom technology helps provide insight into the trends and changes in the field. It may be useful for a business development manager to understand the technology that shapes the markets they are working in. The course's content on industry standards helps provide a basic background.
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation about technical products or services, which may be useful within the telecommunications industry. This course may help in gaining a broad understanding of the telecommunications industry, which is beneficial for a technical writer. It may be useful if the technical writer is familiar with concepts such as signal types, bandwidth, and modulation. Likewise, an understanding of the global internet infrastructure may be useful to a technical writer in this field.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Telecommunication networks.
Provides a comprehensive overview of data communications and networking principles. It covers topics such as network models, protocols, and technologies in detail. It is particularly useful for understanding the underlying technologies that enable telecommunication networks. This book is commonly used as a textbook in networking courses.
Offers a detailed exploration of wireless communication principles and technologies. It covers topics such as signal propagation, modulation techniques, and multiple access methods. It is particularly valuable for understanding the wireless aspects of modern telecommunication networks. This book is commonly used as a reference by industry professionals.

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