Telecommunications installer

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work on telecommunications networks for our customers, including telecommunications operators, public authorities and many others. For the past ten years, I have mainly worked on the mobile network, including base stations, transmitter and power equipment, masts and equipment rooms. I am answering these questions from the perspective of a mobile network installer.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

The first year of vocational school covered the basics of electrical engineering. Over the next two years, we specialised in a field of our choice, and I already felt that telecommunications was an interesting option.

Describe your typical working day or week.

There is not really a typical or normal workday, because the sites and what they do vary so much. We very rarely work at one site for longer than a week, and sometimes I visit several different sites during a day.

When you build a base station, you usually dismantle the old technology first and then you build and test a new, expanded technology. This includes cabling, antennas, radio equipment and their central units, transmitter and power equipment and batteries. Often almost all installed devices and cables are replaced.

There is some variation to the work because base stations are usually built with a team that includes several people, while some things you do alone, like transmitter work.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

My work environment is really varied. I work up in masts, up on property roofs and at shopping centres, operators’ equipment rooms, public authorities’ sites, hospitals and production facilities. So, my work is very mobile. Working hours depend on what you are doing and where. Some work can only be done at night to minimise disruptions, but most of the work happens during normal business hours.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

This job requires the competence of both an electrician and a telecommunications technician. When you work at tall heights, you have to be cool-headed and unafraid. You also have to be patient and tolerate different weather conditions, such as cold, heat and wind.

A mobile network installer often interacts with technology that is so new that installation instructions are still being written when the technology is already being installed. So, this work requires you to adapt to constant change. The deduction skills you gain through experience are helpful. Good social skills make it easier to work in a team and communicate with customers.

What is the best thing about your profession?

Mast work allows me to enjoy great views. I like the mobility of the work and the freedom it brings, as my working environment changes all the time. I also like that my work is so versatile, that we need to take safety seriously and that there is a nice amount of challenge in the technology. A good amount of physical workload helps me stay in shape.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

Challenging weather conditions sometimes make the work unpleasant and difficult. Additionally, customers have different needs and requirements, so there are plenty of things to remember in addition to installation instructions.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a telecommunications installer?

The answer depends on the type of work you go for, because the range of jobs for a telecommunications installer is so wide. Mast work, connection installations and the construction of fibre-optic networks, power equipment and transmitter equipment networks are almost different professions. They all have their upsides.

How do you see the future of your profession?

The future is good. Telecommunications is an integral part of our society from the perspective of both entertainment and security. It is for certain that there will be work available in this field.