Radio and Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers
Significant Points
Employment is projected to decline.
Job opportunities will vary by specialty; for example, good
opportunities should be available for central office and PBX
installers and repairers experienced in current technology,
while station installers and repairers can expect keen competition.
Applicants with computer skills and postsecondary electronics
training should have the best opportunities.
Weekend and holiday hours are common; repairers may be on
call around the clock in case of emergencies.
Nature of the Work
Telephones and radios depend on a variety of equipment to
transmit communications signals. From electronic switches
that route telephone signals to their destinations to radio
transmitters and receivers that relay signals from wireless
phones, the workers who set up and maintain this sophisticated
equipment are called radio and telecommunications equipment
installers and repairers. These workers no longer just work
on equipment that transmits voice signals, but also transmissions
such as data, graphics, and video.
Central office installers set up switches, cables,
and other equipment in central offices. These locations are
the hubs of a telecommunications network—they contain the
switches and routers that direct packets of information to
their destinations. Although most telephone lines connecting
houses to central offices and switching stations are still
copper, the lines connecting these central hubs are fiber
optic. Fiber optic lines have led to a revolution in switching
equipment. The greatly increased transmission capacity of
each line has allowed a few fiber optic lines to replace many
copper lines. Packet switching equipment is evolving rapidly,
ever increasing the amount of information that a single fiber
optic line can carry. These switches and routers have the
ability to transmit, process, amplify, and direct a massive
amount of information. Installing and maintaining this equipment
requires a high level of technical knowledge.
The increasing reliability of telephone switches and routers
has simplified maintenance. New self-monitoring telephone
switches alert repairers to malfunctions. Some switches allow
repairers to diagnose and correct problems from remote locations.
When faced with a malfunction, the repairer may refer to manufacturers’
manuals that provide maintenance instructions.
When problems with telecommunications equipment arise, telecommunications
equipment repairers diagnose the source of the problem by
testing each of the different parts of the equipment, which
requires an understanding of how the software and hardware
interact. Repairers often use spectrum and/or network analyzers
to locate the problem. A network analyzer sends a signal through
the equipment to detect any distortion in the signal. The
nature of the signal distortion often directs the repairer
to the source of the problem. To fix the equipment, repairers
may use small handtools, including pliers and screwdrivers,
to remove and replace defective components such as circuit
boards or wiring. Newer equipment is easier to repair because
whole boards and parts are designed to be quickly removed
and replaced. Repairers also may install updated software
or programs that maintain existing software.
Cable television companies employ technicians to install
and maintain their distribution centers, called head ends.
Their work is similar to central office installers.
PBX installers and repairers set up private branch
exchange (PBX) switchboards, which relay incoming, outgoing,
and interoffice calls within a single location or organization.
To install switches and switchboards, installers first connect
the equipment to power lines and communications cables and
install frames and supports. They test the connections to
ensure that adequate power is available and that the communication
links function. They also install equipment such as power
systems, alarms, and telephone sets. New switches and switchboards
are computerized; workers install software or program the
equipment to provide specific features. For example, as a
cost-cutting feature, an installer may program a PBX switchboard
to route calls over different lines at different times of
the day. However, other workers, such as computer support
specialists generally handle complex programming. (The work
of computer support specialists is described in the Handbook
statement on computer support specialists and systems administrators.)
Finally, the installer performs tests to verify that the newly
installed equipment functions properly. If a problem arises,
PBX repairers determine whether it is located within the PBX
system or originates in the telephone lines maintained by
the local phone company.
Due to rapidly developing technologies, PBX installers must
adapt and learn new technologies. Instead of installing PBX
systems, companies are choosing to install voice-over Internet
protocol (VoIP) systems. VoIP systems operate like a PBX system,
but they use a company’s computer wiring to run Internet access,
network applications, and telephone communications. Specialized
phones have their own Internet protocol (IP) addresses. The
phones can be plugged into any port in the system and still
use the same number.
Station installers and repairers, telephone—commonly
known as telephone installers and repairers or telecommunications
service technicians—install and repair telephone wiring
and equipment on customers’ premises. They install telephone
or digital subscriber line (DSL) service by connecting customers’
telephone wires to outside service lines. These lines run
on telephone poles or in underground conduits. The installer
may climb poles or ladders to make the connections. Once the
connection is made, the line is tested. When a maintenance
problem occurs, repairers test the customers’ lines to determine
if the problem is located in the customers’ premises or in
the outside service lines. When onsite procedures fail to
resolve installation or maintenance problems, repairers may
request support from their technical service center. Line
installers and repairers, covered elsewhere in the Handbook,
install the wires and cables that connect customers with central
offices.
Radio mechanics install and maintain radio transmitting
and receiving equipment. This includes stationary equipment
mounted on transmission towers and mobile equipment, such
as radio communications systems in service and emergency vehicles.
Radio mechanics do not work on cellular communications towers
and equipment. Newer radio equipment is self-monitoring and
may alert mechanics to potential malfunctions. When malfunctions
occur, these mechanics examine equipment for damaged components
and loose or broken wires. They use electrical measuring instruments
to monitor signal strength, transmission capacity, interference,
and signal delay, as well as handtools to replace defective
components and parts and to adjust equipment so that it performs
within required specifications.
Working Conditions
Radio and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers
generally work in clean, well-lighted, air-conditioned surroundings,
such as a telephone company’s central office, a customer’s
location, or an electronic repair shop or service center.
Telephone installers and repairers work on rooftops, ladders,
and telephone poles. Telephone, PBX, and VoIP installers must
travel to a customer’s location. Radio mechanics may maintain
equipment located on the tops of transmissions towers. While
working outdoors, these workers are subject to a variety of
weather conditions.
Nearly all radio and telecommunications equipment installers
and repairers work full time. Many work regular business hours
to meet the demand for repair services during the workday.
Schedules are more irregular at companies that need repair
services 24 hours a day or where installation and maintenance
must take place after business hours. At these locations,
mechanics work a variety of shifts, including weekend and
holiday hours. Repairers may be on call around the clock,
in case of emergencies, and may have to work overtime.
The work of most repairers involves lifting, reaching, stooping,
crouching, and crawling. Adherence to safety precautions is
important in order to guard against work hazards. These hazards
include falls, minor burns, electrical shock, and contact
with hazardous materials.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Most employers seek applicants with postsecondary training
in electronics and a familiarity with computers. Training
sources include 2-year and 4-year college programs in electronics
or communications, trade schools, and equipment and software
manufacturers. Military experience with communications equipment
is valued by many employers. Some equipment repairers begin
working in telecommunications companies as line installers
or telephone installers, before moving up to the job of central
office installer and other more complex work.
Newly hired repairers usually receive some training from
their employers. This may include formal classroom training
in electronics, communications systems, or software and informal
hands-on training assisting an experienced repairer. Large
companies may send repairers to outside training sessions
to keep them informed about new equipment and service procedures.
As networks have become more sophisticated—often including
equipment from a variety of companies—the knowledge needed
for installation and maintenance also has increased.
Telecommunications equipment companies provide much of the
training on specific equipment. With the rapid advances in
switches, routers, and other equipment, repairers need to
continually take courses and work to obtain manufacturers’
certifications on the latest technology.
Repairers must be able to distinguish colors, because wires
are color-coded, and they must be able to hear distinctions
in the various tones on a telephone system. For positions
that require climbing poles and towers, workers must be in
good physical shape. Repairers who handle assignments alone
at a customer’s site must be able to work without close supervision.
For workers who frequently contact customers, a pleasant personality,
neat appearance, and good communications skills also are important.
Experienced repairers with advanced training may become specialists
or troubleshooters who help other repairers diagnose difficult
problems, or may work with engineers in designing equipment
and developing maintenance procedures. Because of their familiarity
with equipment, repairers are particularly well qualified
to become manufacturers’ sales workers. Workers with leadership
ability also may become maintenance supervisors or service
managers. Some experienced workers open their own repair services
or shops, or become wholesalers or retailers of electronic
equipment.
Employment
Radio and telecommunications equipment installers and repairers
held about 222,000 jobs in 2004. About 215,000 were telecommunications
equipment installers and repairers, except line installers,
mostly working in the telecommunications industry, and the
rest were radio mechanics. Radio mechanics worked in electronic
and precision equipment repair and maintenance, telecommunications,
electronics and appliance stores, and many other industries.
Job Outlook
Employment of radio and telecommunications equipment installers
and repairers is expected to decline through 2014. Although
the need for installation work will remain as companies seek
to upgrade their telecommunications networks, there will be
a declining need for maintenance work—performed by telecommunications
equipment installers and repairers, except line installers—because
of increasingly reliable self-monitoring and self-diagnosing
equipment and because installation of higher capacity equipment
will reduce the amount of equipment needed. The replacement
of two-way radio systems with wireless systems, especially
in service vehicles, will eliminate the need in many companies
for onsite radio mechanics. The increased reliability of wireless
equipment and the use of self-monitoring systems also will
continue to lessen the need for radio mechanics. Applicants
with computer skills and postsecondary electronics training
should have the best opportunities for radio and telecommunications
equipment installer and repairer jobs.
Job opportunities will vary by specialty. For example, good
opportunities should be available for central office and PBX
installers and repairers experienced in current technology,
as the growing popularity of VoIP, expanded multimedia offerings
such as video on demand, and other telecommunications services
continue to place additional demand on telecommunications
networks. These new services require high data transfer rates,
which can be achieved only by installing new optical switching
and routing equipment. Extending high-speed communications
from central offices to customers also will require the installation
of more advanced switching and routing equipment. Whereas
increased reliability and automation of switching equipment
will limit opportunities, these effects will be somewhat offset
by the demand for installation and upgrading of switching
equipment.
Station installers and repairers can expect keen competition.
Prewired buildings and the increasing reliability of telephone
equipment will reduce the need for installation and maintenance
of customers’ telephones. Upgrading internal lines in businesses
and the wiring of new homes and businesses with fiber optic
lines should offset some of these losses. As cellular telephones
have increased in popularity, the number of pay phones is
declining, which also will adversely affect employment of
station installers and repairers as pay phone installation
and maintenance is one of their major functions.
Earnings
In May 2004, median hourly earnings of telecommunications
equipment installers and repairers, except line installers
were $23.96. The middle 50 percent earned between $19.46 and
$27.07. The bottom 10 percent earned less than $14.65, whereas
the top 10 percent earned more than $30.85. The median hourly
earnings of these workers in the wired telecommunications
carriers (telephone) industry were $24.92 in May 2004.
Median hourly earnings of radio mechanics in May 2004 were
$17.65. The middle 50 percent earned between $13.59 and $21.90.
The bottom 10 percent earned less than $10.42, whereas the
top 10 percent earned more than $27.62.
Related Occupations
Related occupations that involve work with electronic equipment
include broadcast and sound engineering technicians and radio
operators; computer, automated teller, and office machine
repairers; electronic home entertainment equipment installers
and repairers; and electrical and electronics installers and
repairers. Line installers and repairers also set up and install
telecommunications equipment. Engineering technicians also
may repair electronic equipment as part of their duties.
Sources of Additional Information
For information on career and training opportunities, contact:
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Telecommunications
Department, 1125 15th St. NW., Room 807, Washington, DC
20005.
Communications Workers of America, 501 3rd St. NW., Washington,
DC 20001.
For information on training and professional certifications
for those already employed by cable telecommunications firms,
contact:
Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers, Certification
Department, 140 Phillips Rd., Exton, PA 19341-1318. Internet:
http://www.scte.org/
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics,
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook,
2006-07 Edition
