How to become a Telecommunications Linesperson
Telecommunications linespersons install, maintain and repair external telecommunication equipment, including aerial lines, conduits and underground cables, radio antennae and limited items of terminal equipment. They usually work with either copper or fibre-optic cables.
Personal requirements for a Telecommunications Linesperson
- Enjoy technical tasks
- Able to perform routine repetitive tasks, as well as non-routine and highly analytical tasks
- Able to work at heights and in confined spaces
- Able to work as part of a team
- Normal colour vision
- Able to work with minimal supervision.
Duties & Tasks of a Telecommunications Linesperson
Telecommunications linespeople may perform the following tasks:
- Examine drawings, specifications and work areas to determine positioning and connections for equipment to be installed
- Attach outgoing and incoming cables to devices being installed
- Locate faults and test external plant equipment using instruments such as transmission-measuring equipment, ohmmeters, voltmeters and ammeters
- Adjust, replace and repair faulty items at telephone installation centres or fault control centres
- Erect, test and maintain aerial wires, cables and radio antennae
- Install underground cables for telephone and other communication transmissions
- Join cables and seal sheaths with lead or thermoplastic
- Distribute cable pairs from exchanges or pillars
- Install lead-ins, internal wiring and equipment at customers' premises.
Working conditions for a Telecommunications Linesperson
Telecommunications linespeople work both indoors and outdoors, and have considerable contact with customers in business or in private homes. They may work in telephone exchanges, computer and equipment rooms and installation or service depots for sustained periods of time. They may also be required to work in trenches and underground tunnels, or at heights on towers and telegraph poles.
Specializations
Telecommunications Linesperson
Telecommunications linespersons install, maintain and repair external telecommunication equipment, including aerial lines, conduits and underground cables, radio antennae and limited items of terminal equipment. They usually work with either copper or fibre-optic cables.
