Local company enabling as prerequisite for UMTS introduction

This article discusses the process of getting a company enabled in order to introduce a new telecommunications network to the South African market. The assumption is that the company is the local subsidiary of an overseas telecommunications manufacturer. The example to be used is the introduction of the future UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) technology. The introduction of such a technology involves a major effort due to the complexity of such a system, the large number of tasks that are performed by the local company for such networks and the subsequent technology enabling required by the local company. Technology management principles are the foundation for managing complex technologies within a company. Key tools to be employed are a technology audit to determine current and future competencies and resource requirements and a technology transfer to bring the required knowledge, skills and tools into the local company.