Jobs, Careers and Occupations

Telecom Technicians

Telecom Technicians Nature of Work

Telecommunications line and cable technicians install, repair and maintain telecommunication lines and cables. Telecommunications technicians are employed by cable television companies and by telephone and other telecommunications services.

Telecom Technicians Work Conditions

Telecommunications technicians work both indoors and outdoors, and have considerable contact with customers in business or in private homes. Telecommunications technicians may work in telephone exchanges, computer and equipment rooms, installation or service depots for sustained periods, or may be required to work in trenches and underground tunnels or at heights on towers and telegraph poles.

Telecom Technicians Personal Requirements

• able to perform routine repetitive tasks as well as non-routine or highly analytical tasks
• able to work as part of a team
• able to work at heights and in confined spaces
• able to work with minimal supervision
• enjoy working on technical tasks
• normal color vision

Telecom Technicians Employment Requirements

• Completion of secondary school and
• completion of a four-year telecommunications line and cable apprenticeship program or
• a combination of over three years work experience in the trade and industry- related or other specialized courses

Telecom Technicians Duties and Tasks

Communications linespersons may perform the following tasks:

• adjust, replace and repair faulty items at telephone installation centers or fault control centers
• attach outgoing and incoming cables to appliances being installed
• distribute cable pairs from exchanges or pillars
• erect, test and maintain aerial wires, cables and radio antennae
• install lead-ins, internal wiring and equipment at customers' premises
• install underground cables for telephone and other communications transmissions
• join cables and seal sheaths with lead or thermoplastic
• locate faults and test external plant equipment using instruments such as transmission measuring equipment, ohmmeters, voltmeters and ammeters
• look at drawings, specifications and work areas to work out positioning and connections for equipment to be installed
• run telephone cables underground

Telecom Technician Example Titles

• Cable Repairer, Telecommunications
• Communication Technician
• Lineman
• Splicer
• Telecommunications Line Installer
• Telephone Line Technician

Telecom Technician Related Occupations

• Cable Jointer
• Cable Television Service Technicians
• Electrical Linesperson
• Electrical Power Line Technicians
• Electricians 
• Electronics Engineer
• Electronics Engineering Technician
• Telecommunications Technician
• Trades / Technicians

Telecom Related Industries

• Computing
• Engineering