What does a network planner do?
Network planner responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real network planner resumes:
- Manage Ethernet LANs in high profile company buildings.
- Manage and analyze traffic backhaul for Ethernet and SONET circuits in between central offices.
- Develop and manage the plan for new technology deployment that convert network backbone to IP.
- Manage projects responsible for the customer turn ups of domestic and international customers on all BSLD switches in the network.
- Coordinate marketing brainstorming meetings, prepare minutes, manage project follow-up, and create summary PowerPoint presentations.
- Create and maintain broadband network trunk diagrams as switches and trunks are add and remove from the network.
- Create zones and scopes for the DNS servers.
- Help planned, and deploy a nationwide Microsoft OCS VoIP network.
- Generate detail VISIO schematics for VOIP networks in PacBell and Qwest territories.
- Supervise SLA performance, hardware inventory, change management, and vendor relationships.
- Collaborate with sales managers and technical account managers at Cisco, Nortel, and Microsoft.
- Used TCP/IP for routing protocol and configuration of NIC's on the server and desktops.
- Resolve communications issues between VPN endpoints, web servers, applications servers, and databases.
- Design a fiber optic network route to customers' location utilizing existing Sonet ring backbone.
- Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and resolve data integrity issues with new network elements.
Network planner skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Network Planners are proficient in IP, Switches, and Project Management. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Leadership skills, and Analytical skills.
We break down the percentage of Network Planners that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- IP, 11%
Authored IP Core Evolution document strategy along with documentation of traditional microwave specifications in a wireless network.
- Switches, 7%
Mitigated and addressed high-visibility trouble tickets by implementing new Wireless Priority Service connections in all wireless switches.
- Project Management, 7%
Post approval managed project kick off process and transition to project management organizations insuring full understanding of project.
- Network Operations, 7%
Assisted and interfaced effectively with technical customers, Network Operations teams and service providers.
- Ethernet, 5%
Lead on the TDM to Ethernet conversion for North America.
- Network Infrastructure, 5%
Ensured network infrastructure availability and capacity for critical operations did not fall below 75% assigned threshold.
Common skills that a network planner uses to do their job include "ip," "switches," and "project management." You can find details on the most important network planner responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a network planner to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer network architects create comprehensive plans of the networks they are creating with precise information describing how the network parts will work together." Network planners often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "provided detailed network optimization plans to reduce capital spending and improve network performance. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling network planner duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "many computer network architects direct teams of engineers, such as computer hardware engineers, who build the networks they have designed." According to a network planner resume, here's how network planners can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "created long range plans as well as roadmaps for us cellular wireless network architecture and made presentations to all senior leadership. "
Analytical skills. network planners are also known for analytical skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to network planner responsibilities, because "computer network architects have to examine data networks and decide how to best connect the networks based on the needs and resources of the organization." A network planner resume example shows how analytical skills is used in the workplace: "project manage the network creation of broadband data network backbone elements. "
The three companies that hire the most network planners are:
- Microsoft16 network planners jobs
- Conterra Broadband Services3 network planners jobs
- Baxter International2 network planners jobs
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Compare different network planners
Network planner vs. Provisioning analyst
A telecom analyst coordinates, reviews, and performs all the required telecommunications changes, adds, and moves. They coordinate, review, and perform repair services in all critical emergency cases. These professionals review, ascertain the accuracy and recommend payment of invoices delivered for services offered. Telecom analysts also oversee and coordinate the assigned telecommunication activities and recommend improvements to enhance the system's technical capabilities and minimize operating costs. Furthermore, they develop and maintain a preventative maintenance plan for all the company's owned telephone systems.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, network planner responsibilities require skills like "ip," "switches," "project management," and "network operations." Meanwhile a typical provisioning analyst has skills in areas such as "engineering drawings," "logistics," "technical data," and "technical documentation." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that provisioning analysts earn slightly differ from network planners. In particular, provisioning analysts are 11.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a network planner. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network planner vs. Telecom analyst
A Network Operation Center (NOC) analyst works on ensuring the stability and working order of all network connections used in a company. The position is essential for companies that require fast-paced communication in both internal and external affairs. Companies like customer support centers, online services, and the like require someone who will inspect, monitor, troubleshoot, and upgrade all vital network and IP connections used in a company. A network operation center analyst should be highly knowledgeable in network engineering and relative fields of study.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real network planner resumes. While network planner responsibilities can utilize skills like "project management," "network operations," "ethernet," and "network infrastructure," telecom analysts use skills like "vendor relationships," "infrastructure," "mpls," and "technical support."
On average, telecom analysts earn a lower salary than network planners. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, telecom analysts earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $76,848. Whereas network planners have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $104,917.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Telecom analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than network planners. In fact, they're 9.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Network planner vs. Noc analyst
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, network planners are more likely to have skills like "project management," "rf," "dod," and "emerging technologies." But a noc analyst is more likely to have skills like "servers," "troubleshoot," "cisco ios," and "technical support."
Noc analysts earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $56,276. Network planners earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $104,917.When it comes to education, noc analysts tend to earn lower degree levels compared to network planners. In fact, they're 11.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Network planner vs. Lan analyst
Types of network planner
Updated January 8, 2025
