Telecommunications Engineer

Telecommunications engineers are responsible for the continual and rapid development in the science and methods of telecommunications; the general and basic planning of future expansion; the design and planning of automatic exchanges, carrier systems, telex systems, coaxial cable systems, microwave radio systems; optical fibre systems and videotext systems.


Telecommunications engineers are involved in the planning, design, commissioning and monitoring of complex telecommunications networks and associated broadcasting equipment. Many telecommunications design engineers work for major carriers as well as telecommunications and IT service providers.

Telecommunications engineering can cover any of the following fields: long distance, microwave carrier and coaxial cable systems, foreign radio communications, electronic, automatic and manual exchange switching, overhead and underground line equipment networks, and telex, telegram and data transmission systems.

Telecommunications engineers use a variety of intricate telecommunications test equipment associated with their particular discipline and computers. They work mainly in offices with excursions to the work place e.g. telephone exchanges, carrier rooms, microwave radio rooms etc.


Personal Requirements

  • accurate, methodical and creative
  • leadership potential
  • aptitude for mathematics and doing calculations
  • able to interpret drawings and technical specifications
  • able to visualise abstract concepts
  • work well with other people


How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects


Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Science
Recommended subjects: Engineering and Graphic Design 
Additional: 


 


What to Study

Degree: BEng Electrical - UP, Wits, UKZN, US, UCT, UJ, NWU, UNISA, NMMU

Diploma: N.Dip: Electrical Engineering - UNISA, TUT, CUT, DUT, CPUT


Employment

  • such organisations as Eskom, Phillips, Siemens
  • other telephone companies
  • cell phone companies


Further Information

Any of the above-mentioned potential employers, universities and universities of technology.


Getting Started

  • read up as much as you can about telecommunications
  • speak to telecommunications engineers and ask about the possibility of part-time or holiday work


Programmes by Study Institutions

Related Occupations


How to register as a Professional Engineer with ECSA

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