On a daily basis,
businesses and individuals send and receive
vast amounts of data
through online communications.
Telecommunications equipment installers
and repairers install and service
this equipment.
Telecommunications equipment installers
and repairers—
also called telecom technicians—
set up and maintain equipment
that carries communications signals,
connects to telephone lines,
and accesses the Internet.
They also demonstrate and explain
the use of equipment to customers
and keep records of jobs they’ve completed.
Job tasks for these technicians vary
depending on their specialization:
Central office technicians
maintain switches, routers, fiber optic cable,
and other equipment at switching hubs,
called central offices.
“Headend” technicians
work at distribution centers
for cable and television companies.
They monitor cable network signals
and maintain networking equipment
to ensure proper transmission.
Station installers and repairers
set up telecommunications equipment
in homes and businesses,
and troubleshoot equipment problems
if they come up.
Most telecom technicians work full time.
At companies that provide services 24/7,
shift work is typical,
and may include evenings, holidays,
and weekends—
with some workers on call
around the clock.
Telecommunications equipment installers
and repairers typically need
technical training in electronics,
telecommunications, or computer technology.
Courses are usually offered
at community colleges and technical schools.
For some positions,
industry certification is helpful.
Once hired,
telecom technicians receive
on-the-job training.