TelekommunikationAnschlussEinheit

Telecommunication (or telecommunications) is the transmission of information by electromagnetic means over distance. It enables voice, data, text, images, and video to be exchanged between people, devices, and systems. The field relies on a mix of transmission media—copper wires, coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, and wireless spectrum—plus switching, routing, and signaling technologies that establish and manage communication sessions. Global networks interconnect public and private systems to provide services such as telephone, broadband Internet, broadcasting, and enterprise data exchange.

Historically, telecommunication began with telegraphy in the 19th century, followed by the telephone, radio, and television. The late 20th century saw rapid growth in digital switching, satellite links, and the deployment of fiber optic networks, leading to the convergence of voice and data over common networks. The Internet, based on TCP/IP, became a dominant platform for communication in the 1990s and 2000s.

Technologies include wired and wireless access networks (PSTN, DSL, fiber, cable, Wi‑Fi), cellular networks (2G to 5G), satellite communications, and the Internet backbone. Core signaling frameworks include SS7 for traditional telephony and SIP for voice over IP. Standards bodies such as ITU, IEEE, and IETF coordinate interfaces and protocols.

Regulation covers spectrum allocation, universal service obligations, privacy, and net neutrality depending on jurisdiction. Infrastructure is operated by telecom operators, ISPs, and content providers, often using submarine cables, data centers, and edge computing facilities.

Recent trends emphasize network convergence, high-capacity and low-latency 5G and beyond, satellite broadband, IoT, cloud and edge services, cybersecurity, and resilience. The field underpins commerce, media, public services, and social connectivity, while also contending with digital divides and regulatory challenges.