What does a telecommunications technician do?
A telecommunications technician is responsible for maintaining the company's telecommunication networks, including communication systems and installation of internet lines and cables. Telecommunications technicians inspect the efficiency of the organization's communication networks, ensuring its optimal performance to support the business' operations. They also upgrade the systems, run diagnostic tests for newly installed cables, and create detailed reports of preventive maintenance processes for reference. A telecommunications technician must have excellent knowledge of the technological industry, including the end-users' and clients' needs to determine the best procedures to maintain the reliability of existing systems.
Telecommunications technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real telecommunications technician resumes:
- Project complete while simultaneously managing VoIP project.
- Install cable television, high-speed internet, routers, VOIP phone services, and data services to residential and commercial clients.
- Provide technical and operational guidance and direction to the DoD customer in establishing and operating video teleconferencing systems.
- Work with OSP to troubleshoot and repair faulty cable plant.
- Terminate and install telecommunications cabling such as cat5E, fiber, and coaxial
- Train call center personnel on use of CMS supervisor reports and agent monitoring.
- Install & trouble shoot maintains Ethernet network connections for PC's & network printers.
- Conduct basic network troubleshooting (LAN's) including knowledge of standard network cabling.
- Enter translations require to activate circuits and enter cross connects in Alcatel 1631 DCS.
- Work with Nortel switching system to program and install customer voice requirements to custom specifications.
- Add and configure new X.400 and X.500 exchange mailboxes for users in the DMS environment.
- Terminate Cat5 cable to data and phone jacks at specific cubicles, offices, and workstations.
- Design and write user manuals, online help, and API guides for company's software.
- Assist the lead technician with running cat5 and fiber optic cabling from network room to locations throughout store.
- Install, operate, and perform strapping, re-strapping, PMCS and unit level maintenance on COMSEC devices.
Telecommunications technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Telecommunications Technicians are proficient in Broadband, Customer Service, and Fiber Optic Cables. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Customer-service skills, and Dexterity.
We break down the percentage of Telecommunications Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Broadband, 14%
Functioned well in executing various GC telecommunication system upgrades on several broadband platforms.
- Customer Service, 7%
Processed customer orders for the installation of initial voice, video and data communication services while providing excellent customer service.
- Fiber Optic Cables, 6%
Job Description:Installed and maintained telecommunication networks by installing CAT5 cables, fiber optic cables, performed linemen duties.
- Telephone Systems, 5%
Installed and programmed telephone systems for various commercial and industrial applications.
- Hand Tools, 5%
Use hand tools and specialized telecommunication installation tools during installation of equipment.
- Telecommunication, 5%
Performed telecommunication and networking business evaluations.
Most telecommunications technicians use their skills in "broadband," "customer service," and "fiber optic cables" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential telecommunications technician responsibilities here:
Color vision. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a telecommunications technician to have is color vision. Their role and responsibilities require that "telecom technicians work with color-coded wires, and they need to be able to tell them apart." Telecommunications technicians often use color vision in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "installed and repaired broadband television, phone, and internet services. "
Customer-service skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling telecommunications technician duties is customer-service skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "telecom technicians who work in customers’ homes and offices should be friendly and polite." According to a telecommunications technician resume, here's how telecommunications technicians can utilize customer-service skills in their job responsibilities: "repair, maintain and restore t-1, ds3 and fiber optic service, while providing outstanding customer support and service. "
Dexterity. telecommunications technicians are also known for dexterity, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to telecommunications technician responsibilities, because "telecom technicians’ tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination." A telecommunications technician resume example shows how dexterity is used in the workplace: "programmed phone, computer and security systems; operation of a scissor-lift required. "
Mechanical skills. A big part of what telecommunications technicians do relies on "mechanical skills." You can see how essential it is to telecommunications technician responsibilities because "telecom technicians must be familiar with the devices they install and repair, with their internal parts, and with the appropriate tools needed to use, install, or fix them." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical telecommunications technician tasks: "spliced cables, using hand tools and mechanical equipment. "
Troubleshooting skills. A commonly-found skill in telecommunications technician job descriptions, "troubleshooting skills" is essential to what telecommunications technicians do. Telecommunications technician responsibilities rely on this skill because "telecom technicians must be able to troubleshoot and devise solutions to problems that are not immediately apparent." You can also see how telecommunications technician duties rely on troubleshooting skills in this resume example: "managed troubleshooting of rockwell acd and contact gateway for nations bank contract. "
The three companies that hire the most telecommunications technicians are:
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Compare different telecommunications technicians
Telecommunications technician vs. Systems installer
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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between telecommunications technicians and systems installer. For instance, telecommunications technician responsibilities require skills such as "broadband," "customer service," "hand tools," and "telecommunication." Whereas a systems installer is skilled in "hvac," "fire alarms," "alarm systems," and "system installation." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Systems installers earn the highest salaries when working in the telecommunication industry, with an average yearly salary of $52,453. On the other hand, telecommunications technicians are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $46,492.systems installers tend to reach similar levels of education than telecommunications technicians. In fact, systems installers are 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Telecommunications technician vs. Cable installer
A tower hand is an individual who climbs towers or poles to install, repair, and perform routine maintenance on electrical equipment. Tower hands are required to climb up very tall structures to perform maintenance on equipment such as power lines, cell tower components, or radio antenna equipment. They must perform audits on their climbing equipment so that they can determine the quality of their equipment as well as avoid defects. Tower hands must be competent climbers so that they can safely climb towers while carrying heavy equipment.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real telecommunications technician resumes. While telecommunications technician responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "telephone systems," "hand tools," and "telecommunication," cable installers use skills like "ladders," "tv," "trouble calls," and "cat-5."
Cable installers may earn a lower salary than telecommunications technicians, but cable installers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $43,049. On the other hand, telecommunications technicians receive higher pay in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $46,492.cable installers earn similar levels of education than telecommunications technicians in general. They're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Telecommunications technician vs. Tower hand
Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with. They are usually working with electricity or with technological advancements. Technicians may be assigned to do the construction of equipment or materials related to their field of study. They may also be assigned to conduct diagnostics and other maintenance activities to ensure that the equipment works properly. Technicians may also be required to conduct basic repairs in case of problems. It is important that technicians have good analytical skills and decision-making skills.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, telecommunications technicians are more likely to have skills like "broadband," "customer service," "telephone systems," and "switches." But a tower hand is more likely to have skills like "cpr," "osha," "demolition," and "transmission lines."
Tower hands typically earn similar educational levels compared to telecommunications technicians. Specifically, they're 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Telecommunications technician vs. Technician
Types of telecommunications technician
Updated January 8, 2025
