@bert_hubert There used to be a time after Fokker where I worked for Ericsson (not NL) in a team where we designed GSM networks from scratch. The equipment used was Ericsson, made in Europe. Same as masts and antennas.
I've also been posted with customers where they still had the technical staff to design and maintain the network.
Our department was closed.
Only the department in Asia remained.
I think most design has even been moved to China.
Same indeed as the NOCs of most Telcos..
Sad!