Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers Except Line Installers

Summary

Telecommunication technicians install communications equipment in offices and homes.

Quick Facts: Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers Except Line Installers
2010 Median Pay	$54,710 per year $26.30 per hour
Entry-Level Education	Postsecondary non-degree award
Work Experience in a Related Occupation	None
On-the-job Training	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Number of Jobs, 2010	194,900
Job Outlook, 2010-20	15% (About as fast as average)
Employment Change, 2010-20	28,400

What Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers Except Line Installers Do

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, also known as telecom technicians, set up and maintain devices or equipment that carry communications signals, connect to telephone lines, or access the Internet.

Work Environment

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers generally work in climate-controlled central offices or electronic service centers. Some workers travel frequently to installation and repair sites, such as homes and offices. Most installers and repairers work full time, and overtime is common.

How to Become a Telecommunications Equipment Installer or Repairer Except Line Installer

Postsecondary education in electronics and computer technology is important for telecommunications equipment installers and repairers. For more complex work, a 4-year degree may be the best preparation. Industry certification is required for some positions.

Pay

The median annual wage of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers was $54,710 in May 2010.

Job Outlook

Employment of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers is expected to grow 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Those with postsecondary education and strong customer-service and computer skills will have the best job opportunities.

Similar Occupations

Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers except line installers with similar occupations.

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Contacts for More Information

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What Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers Except Line Installers Do About this section

Installers set up a small television antenna.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers, also known as telecom technicians, set up and maintain devices or equipment that carry communications signals, connect to telephone lines, or access the Internet.

Duties

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers typically do the following:

• Install communications equipment in offices, private homes, and buildings that are under construction
• Set up, rearrange, or replace routing and dialing equipment
• Perform equipment maintenance, such as inspecting wiring and phone jacks
• Repair or replace faulty, damaged, or malfunctioning parts
• Test repaired, newly installed, or updated equipment to ensure that it works properly
• Adjust or modify equipment to improve its performance
• Demonstrate and explain the use of equipment to customers

Telephone, computer, and cable telecommunications systems rely on sophisticated equipment to process and transmit vast amounts of information. Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers—often called telecom technicians—install and service this equipment.

To inspect equipment and diagnose problems, telecom technicians use many different tools. For instance, to locate distortions in signals, they may use spectrum analyzers and polarity probes. They also commonly use handtools, including screwdrivers and pliers, to take equipment apart and repair it. In addition, telecom technicians frequently install and update software and programs for some devices.

Equipment installers who work mainly outdoors are classified as telecommunications line installers and repairers. For more information, see the profile on line installers and repairers.

Telecom technicians do many tasks, often depending on their specialization and where they work. The following are examples of the types of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers:

Central office technicians set up and maintain switches, routers, fiber-optic cables, and other equipment at switching hubs, called central offices. These hubs send, process, and amplify data from thousands of telephones, Internet connections, and other sources. Increasingly reliable, self-monitoring switches alert central office repairers to malfunctions, and might allow repairers to correct problems remotely. 

Headend technicians do almost the same work as central office installers and repairers, but work at distribution centers for cable and television companies, called headends.

PBX installers and repairers set up and service private branch exchange—or PBX—switchboards. This equipment relays incoming, outgoing, and interoffice telephone calls at a single location. Some systems use voiceover Internet protocol—or VoIP—technology, which functions like PBX systems, but uses computers to run Internet access, network applications, and telephone communications.

PBX installers connect telecom equipment to communications cables. They install frames, supports, power systems, alarms, and telephone sets. They test the connections to ensure that adequate power is available and communication links work properly. Because switches and switchboards are now computerized, PBX installers often need to also install software or program the equipment to provide specific features.

Station installers and repairers—sometimes known as home installers and repairers—set up and repair telecommunications equipment in customers’ homes and businesses. They install telephone, Internet, and cable television services, often setting up modems and other computer hardware and software.

When customers have problems, station repairers test the customer's lines to determine if the problem is inside or outside. If the problem is inside, they try to repair it. If the problem is outside, they refer the repair to line repairers.

Work Environment About this section

Telecommunications equipment installers check server connections.

Telecommunications equipment installers and repairers held about 194,900 jobs in 2010. The majority worked full time for private companies. Industries employing the largest numbers of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers in 2010 were as follows: 

Central Office technicians generally work in climate-controlled central offices or electronic service centers. PBX and station installers and repairers travel frequently to installation and repair sites, such as homes and offices. Installation may require climbing on rooftops and into attics, and climbing ladders and telephone poles.

Telecom technicians occasionally work in cramped, awkward positions where they must stoop, crouch, crawl, or reach high to do their work. Sometimes they must lift or move heavy equipment and parts. In some cases, they may be required to work on equipment while it is powered.

About 26 percent of all telecom technicians are members of unions. Union members who work for large telecommunications companies often have good benefits in addition to their pay, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance. They also usually have retirement benefits.

Injuries

Telecom technicians have a rate of injuries and illnesses that is higher than the average among all occupations. Although minor falls, burns, and electrical shocks are common, the work is generally not dangerous if safety precautions are taken.

Work Schedules

Most telecom technicians work full time, and overtime is common.

Some employers offer 24-hour repair services. Telecom technicians who work for these firms work a variety of shifts, including evenings, holidays, and weekends. Some are on call around the clock in case of emergencies.

How to Become a Telecommunications Equipment Installer or Repairer Except Line Installer About this section

A technician makes repairs to a telecommunication system.

Postsecondary education in electronics and computer technology is important for telecommunications equipment technicians. For more complex work, a 4-year degree may be the best preparation. Industry certification is required for some positions.

Education

To keep pace with rapidly expanding telecommunications technology, telecom technicians increasingly need advanced training. As a result, many employers prefer candidates with formal postsecondary education in electronics and a familiarity with computers. 

Telecom technicians may get training through a certificate or 2-year associate’s degree program in electronics repair, computer science, or related subjects. Equipment and software manufacturers also offer educational and training programs on specific products.

Central office technicians, headend technicians, and those working with commercial communications systems are increasingly expected to have a bachelor’s degree. By contrast, educational requirements are generally lower for workers such as station installers and repairers.

Because technology in this field evolves quickly, telecom technicians must continue to educate themselves over the course of their careers. They may attend manufacturers’ training classes, read equipment manuals, or get hands-on experience with the latest equipment.

Training

Most telecom technicians complete some on-the-job training. Generally, this training involves informal hands-on work with an experienced technician. Training may last several weeks to a few months. Workers who have completed postsecondary training often require less on-the-job instruction than those who have not. 

Large companies also may send new employees to training sessions to learn about new equipment, procedures, and technology offered by equipment manufacturers or industry organizations.

Certification

Some technicians must be certified to do certain tasks or to work on specific equipment. Certification requirements vary by jurisdiction, employer and specialization.

Organizations such as the Society of Cable and Telecommunications Engineers and the Telecommunications Industry Association offer certifications for telecom technicians. Some manufacturers also provide certifications for working with specific equipment.

Advancement

Experienced repairers with advanced training may become specialists or troubleshooters who help other repairers diagnose difficult problems.

Because of their familiarity with equipment, repairers are particularly well qualified to become manufacturers' sales workers.

Home installers may advance to wiring computer networks or working as a central office installer and repairer.

Important Qualities

Bookkeeping skills. When working at clients’ locations, telecom technicians must often track hours worked, parts used, and bills collected.

Color vision. Installers and repairers must be able to distinguish different colors because the wires they work with are color coded.

Customer-service skills. Many telecom technicians work in customers’ homes and offices, so it is important that they be friendly and polite. Also, they often must explain how to maintain and operate complicated equipment to people who have little or no technical knowledge.

Manual dexterity. Many telecom technician tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using handtools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.

Technical skills. Telecom technicians frequently work with computers, sophisticated diagnostic equipment, and specialized hardware. Therefore, they must be familiar with these devices, their internal parts, and the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them.

Troubleshooting skills. As telecommunications equipment becomes more sophisticated, malfunctions become more difficult to identify. As a result, technicians must be able to devise solutions to complex problems that are not immediately apparent.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers was $54,710 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,170, and the top 10 percent earned more than $72,940.

In May 2010, median annual wages in industries employing the largest numbers of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers were as follows:

Most telecom technicians work full time, overtime is common.

Some employers offer 24-hour repair services. Telecom technicians who work for these firms work a variety of shifts, including nights, holidays, and weekends. Some are on call around the clock in case of emergencies.

About 26 percent of all telecom technicians are members of unions. Union members who work for large telecommunications companies often have good benefits in addition to their pay, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance. They also usually have retirement benefits. 

Employees of small independent companies and contractors may get fewer benefits.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of telecommunications equipment installers and repairers is expected to grow 15 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Demand for telecommunications equipment will continue to grow as Internet connections become faster, hundreds of cable television stations are added, and emerging technologies become more popular. Although building, maintaining, and upgrading these networks should create some jobs, employment gains may be offset by a decline in maintenance work.

Modern equipment is more reliable, sturdier, easier to repair, and more resistant to damage from the elements, significantly limiting the need for new telecom technicians.

Job Prospects

Although job opportunities will vary by specialty, those with postsecondary electronics training and strong computer skills should have the best job prospects.

Popular technologies, such as video on demand and broadband Internet connections, require high data transfer rates in telecommunications systems. Central office, PBX installers, and headend technicians will be needed to service and upgrade switches and routers to handle increased traffic, resulting in very good job opportunities.

By contrast, station installers and repairers can expect strong competition for most positions. Prewired buildings, the reliability of existing telephone lines, and increasing wireless technology usage may reduce the need for general installation and maintenance work.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For information on career, training and certification opportunities, visit              

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Communications Workers of America

National Coalition for Telecommunication Education and Learning

Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers

Telecommunications Industry Association