I am not quite as grey as some here but telecom makes you old quick.

For us it's always been cabling and mac work. We do not advertise so word of mouth it what keeps us going. It also helps to sub for other established and trust worthy contractors. We have good relations with a few local builders and it provides OK. Just keep your head up and plug along like the rest of us and you will be fine. Also train up on your IP skills it will carry you when the famines hit.

System sales are secondary for us and there is not allot to be made in that end anyway unless like Avalon said they are a fortune 500 company.

Some of us have a good list and a bad list for nationals so you might want to get plugged in and chat with a few privately here. It makes for OK residual.