What does a communications technician do?

A cable installer installs and maintains telecommunication systems and equipment such as telephone lines, cable television, or internet services at homes or commercial areas. In some companies, a cable installer may also handle complaints and concerns, conduct inspections, troubleshoot problems, and fix or replace components when necessary. Their job often requires them to climb up poles or even towers to attach or repair wires, and there are times when they may perform adjustments or even disconnections. They may also assist clients by answering inquiries, providing instructions, or referring them to other services when necessary.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, communications technician responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "rehabilitation," "hand tools," and "fiber optic." Meanwhile a typical systems installer has skills in areas such as "hvac," "fiber optic cables," "fire alarms," and "system installation." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Field service technicians are skilled professionals who manage the technical needs of their clients outside the company's physical office space. They are usually on the field to visit their clients and check up on clients' equipment. Field service technicians are dispatched to provide technical support. They oversee installations, repairs, or maintenance activities. They ensure that all the work needed is done well. They also conduct diagnostic activities and troubleshooting. Field service technicians also supervise any updating or changes needed to be done in their clients' offices. They are expected to have good analytical skills, communication skills, and highly technical skills.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that communications technician responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "rehabilitation," "hand tools," and "fiber optic." But a cable installer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "broadband," "ladders," "tv," and "fiber optic cables."

A fiber optic technician is someone who works with the optical cables and fibers used in communications data transmission. Fiber optic technicians fuse fibers together, install fiber cables, and splice fibers in buildings and beneath the ground. They take responsibility for fiber optic network installation and maintenance in schools, homes, businesses, and any other organizations. They identify the solutions to issues or problems to prevent fiber optic systems from their optimal performance.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, communications technicians are more likely to have skills like "rehabilitation," "fiber optic," "patch panels," and "telephone systems." But a field service technician is more likely to have skills like "preventative maintenance," "customer satisfaction," "technical support," and "customer sites."

Even though a few skill sets overlap between communications technicians and fiber optic technicians, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a communications technician might have more use for skills like "customer service," "rehabilitation," "hand tools," and "fiber optic." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of fiber optic technicians require skills like "fiber optic cables," "ladders," "otdr," and "end-to-end testing. "