telecoms

IPA/ˈtel.ɪ.kɒmz/
KK[tˈɛləkɑmz]IPA/ˈtel.ə.kɑːmz/

telecoms — noun

1. the phone, internet, and cable systems that carry messages across long distances

1.nounB1
Definition

the phone, internet, and cable systems that carry messages across long distances; a short form of 'telecommunications'

Example

After finishing university, Nora took a graduate job at a telecoms company in Cape Town.

collocation: a job at a telecoms company

The telecoms company dug up the pavement to lay new cables for faster broadband.

compound noun + purpose: telecoms company...for faster broadband

Common collocations
  • telecoms company
  • telecoms industry
  • telecoms network
  • telecoms sector
  • work in telecoms
  • a career in telecoms
Synonyms
  • telecommunications

    the full form; more formal and used in official names

  • telecom

    American English equivalent, used without the -s

  • comms

    informal, often used inside the industry

Usage Note

Commonly used in British English. American English more often uses 'telecom' (without the -s) for the same meaning.

Common Mistakes

The telecoms is growing fast.
The telecoms industry is growing fast.
'telecoms' usually appears as a modifier (telecoms company/industry/network) rather than as a standalone singular subject.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These three words all refer to the same industry and technology, but they differ in formality and region. 'Telecommunications' is the full, formal term — you will see it in government reports, university degree titles, and company registration documents. 'Telecoms' (British) and 'telecom' (American) are everyday short forms used in news articles, job listings, and conversation. 'Comms' is an insider abbreviation heard mainly within the industry itself; it feels casual and technical at the same time. A job advert might say 'experience in telecoms required,' a regulator's report would use 'telecommunications sector,' and an engineer might tell a colleague 'I've been in comms for fifteen years.'

telecommunications ↗telecom ↗comms ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • telecoms company
  • telecoms industry
  • telecoms network
  • telecoms sector
  • telecoms market
  • telecoms provider
  • telecoms regulator

Phrases

  • work in telecoms
  • a career in telecoms

Prepositions

  • in telecoms

Etymology

GreekFrenchEnglish

A shortening of 'telecommunications,' which was formed in the early 20th century from the Greek prefix 'tele-' (meaning 'far off' or 'at a distance') and 'communication.' The shortened form 'telecoms' became common in British English from the 1970s onward as the industry grew rapidly.

First known use

1953

1953, in the meaning defined at sense 1