Telecoms engineer
Install and repair broadband, phone, fibre, mobile and satellite systems - out on the road, up masts and in customers' homes.
- Salary£25,000 – £40,000
- Hours37 to 42 hours a week; you could be on call or asked to work at short notice
- Working for yourselfSelf-employment is possible
What the job is like
Telecoms engineers (also called telecoms technicians or telecommunications field engineers) build and fix the networks we rely on: fibre broadband, phone lines, mobile masts, satellite dishes and digital TV. One day you might be testing underground fibre, the next repairing equipment on a mast or sorting a fault in someone's home.
It suits people who like variety, working with their hands and solving problems on the spot. There's a wide range of apprenticeships, from Level 2 field operative up to Level 4 cellular network engineer, and a full driving licence is needed.
What you'll do
- Draw up layout plans for data networks, cabling and equipment
- Set up or upgrade mobile and fixed communication networks
- Lay and test underground cables, fibre optics and connections
- Repair overhead lines and equipment on masts and antennae
- Install and align satellite dishes on homes and businesses
- Find and fix faults on site or remotely using diagnostic software
- Talk to customers in person, by phone and online
Where you'll work
- In customers' homes
- Outdoors
- Working at height
- On the road
- In a team
- On your own
Skills and hobbies that help
Weighted by how much they matter in this job, from the official job profile's skills and tasks. Tap one to see other careers that use it.
Key skills
Used a lot
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Working outdoors
- Safety-conscious
- Customer service
- Working independently
Handy to have
Hobbies that give you a head start
How to become a telecoms engineer
Apprenticeship
Telecoms field operative (Level 2, typically around 15 months), Wireless communications rigger (Level 2, typically around 18 months), Network cable installer (Level 3, typically around 15 months) or Radio network technician (Level 3, typically around 24 months). There are also the Hardware, Network and Infrastructure Level 2 foundation apprenticeship and a Level 4 Cellular Network Field Engineer apprenticeship.
College
Courses in communications cabling or electrical and electronic engineering, or the T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing (or Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control).
Direct application
Possible with experience or qualifications in telecoms, electronic or electrical engineering, or electrical equipment servicing.
Other ways in
Introductory satellite dish and aerial installation courses are offered by the Confederation of Aerial Industries.
Qualifications, licences and cards
- Full driving licence
- Optional membership of the Institute of Telecommunications Professionals (ITP) for networking and development
Where it can lead
- Supervisory roles
- Telecoms network design
- Electronic engineering
- Smart home systems installation
- Running your own installation and repair business
Good to know
- Work can be at height, in cramped spaces and outdoors in all weathers, with lots of travel.
- Employers expect good organisation and time management.
Courses and training
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Apprenticeship search
Find an apprenticeship – GOV.UK
The official GOV.UK service for searching and applying for apprenticeship vacancies in England.
-
Course search
Find a course – National Careers Service
The National Careers Service search for college and training provider courses in England, including Skills Bootcamps.
Official information
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Rules, pay and courses change, so always confirm with the official source.
- National Careers Service: Telecoms engineer job profile nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/telecoms-engineer
- Skills England apprenticeship standard: Telecoms field operative skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0832-v1-1
- Skills England apprenticeship standard: Wireless communications rigger skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0616-v1-2
- Skills England apprenticeship standard: Network cable installer skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0485-v1-2
- Skills England apprenticeship standard: Radio network technician skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0757-v1-2