Explore occupational profile

Version:
OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
Search the OaSIS

72204.00 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers

Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers install, repair and maintain telecommunication lines and cables, cable television transmission and distribution systems and associated hardware. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Apprentice lineman/woman - telecommunications
  • Cable television installation technician
  • Cable television maintenance technician
  • Communication technician - construction
  • Construction technician - cable television
  • Splicer technician - telephone
  • Telecommunication cable repairer
  • Telecommunications line installer
  • Telecommunications lineman/woman
  • Telephone line technician

Core competencies

  • Repairing and Troubleshooting to diagnose and resolve faults in lines, cables or associated hardware to minimize service disruptions and maintain reliable communication services
  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to optimize system efficiency, detect problems early and ensure optimal service delivery by constantly verifying signal strength, transmission quality or network performance metrics
  • Gross Body Equilibrium to install and repair telecommunication lines and cables often in precarious positions and at heights
  • Trunk Strength to support the body and maintain proper posture while performing physically demanding tasks, such as lifting, carrying and maneuvering heavy equipment and materials
  • Attention to Detail to meticulously ensure the installation, maintenance and repair of telecommunication systems, from correctly routing cables and connectors to testing signal quality and troubleshooting issues
  • Knowledge in Telecommunications to understand basic installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of telecommunications systems, including identifying common issues and performing routine repairs on cables and wiring

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Install, remove, maintain and repair aerial and underground telephone, coaxial and fibre optic cable television, and other telecommunication transmission and distribution lines, cables and associated hardware
  • Splice and repair various types and sizes of telephone and other telecommunication cables including single line, coaxial and fibre optic
  • Repair or replace faulty cables, power supplies, amplifiers and other associated transmission and distribution equipment
  • Inspect, monitor, test and adjust telecommunication transmission lines and cables and distribution systems
  • Analyze and record test results
  • Climb and work aloft on poles, ladders or other support structures or work in confined spaces such as trenches, tunnels and crawl spaces
  • Communicate with other workers to co-ordinate the preparation and completion of work assignments
  • Assist in the erection and removal of telecommunication poles, towers and associated support structures
  • May operate excavation machinery and other heavy equipment.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations (72011)
  • Electrical power line and cable workers (72203)
  • Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians (72205)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

72 – Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers

Sub-major group

722 – Technical electrical trades

Minor group

7220 – Technical electrical trades and electrical power line and telecommunications workers

Unit group

72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers

Occupational profile

72204.00 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.