MG meets Huawei’s Core Network Engineer Manuel De Oliveira for a candid chat about circuit switching, the benefits of 5G and the future of telecoms. Oh, plus he also has a few things to say about the culinary delights of Madrid, too!
Hi Manuel. Please can summarise your career journey that led to work as a Core Network Engineer for Huawei…
When I was a child I remember my desire to learn how things worked; in most cases I ended up opening the equipment cases to see what was inside – the magic of science! It always seemed incredible how the television worked: the colour; the sound – that’s where it started, so when I had to select a career path, engineering and telecommunications was an easy choice to make. I’m so passionate about both subjects!
What are your main duties as a Core Network Engineer?
The Core of a mobile network is a fundamental section in the flow of traffic and signalling. Among the tasks I have performed are oriented to the support, operation, maintenance, commissioning and node planning of the network. Authentication, establishment and release of voice and data sessions are the main tasks that the management node perform and this allows the subscribers of operators to access resources, ensuring their complete availability and the best user experience.
What qualities do you need to succeed as a Core Network Engineer?
1. Good knowledge of mobile telephony, routing and switching network topology
2. Understanding of the philosophy behind the signalling protocols and the flow between interfaces
3. The desire to learn new skills – the world of PS and CS (Packet Switching and Circuit Switching) requires lots of studying!
What excites you the most about the future of telecoms?
The giant steps we will take in technology with 5G excites me and at the same time terrifies me! It’s already a fact that we will be interacting in a totally different way and in real time, a series of applications will give rise to a new society, but I do not know if we are prepared for that!
Speaking of 5G, how do you feel it will benefit businesses and consumers going forward?
Virtual reality applications in all areas: tourism, cuisine, science, etc. will bring innovation. For example, in the world of sports and music, the idea of being able to witness a hologram of your favourite band that is thousands of miles away and to be able to see them in the bar near your house in real time, with the exact acoustics gives us an idea of what is coming.
You work in Madrid – what do you like most about the city?
Definitely the culture, and by this, I mean the art, music, history, architecture. Oh, and also the food! It’s a magical city and I’m very happy to live here!
Finally, which telecoms project so far in your career are you most proud of?
I created the IP infrastructure at the level of Routing and Switching for IP traffic interconnection in a VoIP company. I designed this in conjunction with the engineering group of the telephone company Mobile that works in Venezuela to allow LTE roamers to access the data network.
