Few industries are under as much simultaneous strain and transformation as telecommunications.
Once largely viewed as a utility, telecommunications now underpins nearly every element of modern life from national security and healthcare to emergency services, energy and the economy. But behind the essential service it provides is an industry grappling with slow growth, increasing regulatory pressure and the need to reinvent itself in the face of commoditisation, technological disruption and changing public expectations.
As a result, large-scale organisational restructures are becoming an increasingly common strategy across the sector. And while restructuring is often necessary to remain competitive, the way companies manage these transitions, particularly the impact on people, has never been more important.
The telecommunications industry has a fundamental challenge: it’s being asked to deliver more, for less. While global revenues inched up by 4.3% in 2023, PwC forecasts suggest compound growth will remain under 3% annually through to 2028, below the expected rate of inflation. With core services like data and voice calls now commoditised, providers are struggling to increase prices, even as investment in infrastructure becomes more urgent.
Meanwhile, AI is redefining the digital economy. Telcos are being asked to power a future defined by ultra-low latency, always-on connectivity, decentralised data centres, and energy-intensive computing. This new “AI grid” demands fibre-dense networks, edge computing infrastructure, and sustainable energy, all of which require capital, capability, and often, organisational restructure.
To complicate matters further, the regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly. The Security of Critical Infrastructure Act reforms, the new Telecommunications Security and Risk Management Program rules, and the proposed Enhancing Consumer Safeguards Bill are reshaping governance requirements for carriers and carriage service providers. Compliance costs, operational complexity, and the stakes of non-compliance are all rising.
It’s no surprise then that we’re seeing telcos restructure; consolidating teams, shifting strategic focus, merging business units, and in some cases, downsizing. But with these necessary changes comes the human cost, and a growing need for support.
Large-scale workforce change is complex and often a high-pressure exercise that ripple far beyond the balance sheet. For employees, they can mean sudden role changes, redundancies, or the need to quickly adapt to new responsibilities. For leaders, they bring the burden of difficult decisions, managing morale and preserving cultural cohesion while trying to deliver business outcomes.
Handled poorly, restructures can erode trust, damage employer brand, and increase the likelihood of disengagement or reputational fallout. In a sector where technical talent is already in high demand, and where workforce adaptability is critical to long-term transformation, organisations can’t afford to overlook the human side of change.
This is where career transition and outplacement coaching providers can play a critical role.
Coaching is about supporting people with dignity and direction when their roles are impacted by change. It’s a modern approach to career transition that combines professional development, emotional support and strategic job-search expertise.
For Australia’s telecommunications companies, partnering with an outplacement provider during large-scale change delivers several key benefits:
The pace of change in telecommunications is only accelerating. As AI, digital infrastructure and policy reform reshape what’s expected of the industry, telcos must continue evolving to remain relevant and resilient.
That evolution will inevitably include more structural change, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of employee wellbeing or organisational integrity.
By investing in career transition and outplacement support, telcos can deliver change that’s not only commercially necessary but also ethically responsible, treating people with care, preserving culture, and setting the business up for long-term success.
In a sector that quite literally connects the nation, how we manage the human side of change may matter more than ever.
We’re here to help if you’re looking for thoughtful, people-first outplacement support. Get in touch with our team to learn more.
