Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
Also called Combination Technician (Combination Tech), Outside Plant Technician (Outside Plant Tech), Service Technician (Service Tech), or Telecommunications Technician (Telecommunications Tech)
What Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers do
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.
Who tends to enjoy it
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
What you'd actually do
- Note differences in wire and cable colors so that work can be performed correctly.
- Test circuits and components of malfunctioning telecommunications equipment to isolate sources of malfunctions, using test meters, circuit diagrams, polarity probes, and other hand tools.
- Drive crew trucks to and from work areas.
- Assemble and install communication equipment such as data and telephone communication lines, wiring, switching equipment, wiring frames, power apparatus, computer systems, and networks.
- Run wires between components and to outside cable systems, connecting them to wires from telephone poles or underground cable accesses.
- Inspect equipment on a regular basis to ensure proper functioning.
- Collaborate with other workers to locate and correct malfunctions.
- Climb poles and ladders, use truck-mounted booms, and enter areas such as manholes and cable vaults to install, maintain, or inspect equipment.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Troubleshooting
- Repairing
- Critical Thinking
- Operations Monitoring
- Quality Control Analysis
- Installation
What you'll need to know
- Telecommunications
- Computers and Electronics
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Where to study for this
College programs that commonly lead to this career, and how many US colleges offer each.
- Communications Systems Installation and Repair Technology / Technician 35 colleges
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 49-2022.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.