Bridging the digital divide

Telecommunications engineers design and install equipment used for transmitting wired phone, cellular, cable, and broadband data. Their day-to-day responsibilities include working with copper or fiber optic cabling, complex networks, and switching systems. Telecom engineers may be employed by wired and wireless telecommunications companies, engineering consulting firms, or government agencies.

Telecom engineers are experts in managing data such as voice, video, calls and text over different modes of communication. They are responsible for the designing and installation of telecommunications equipment and make sure the data transmitted over wired or wireless communication is of high quality. The telecom engineering field varies from radio and television to satellite, computer networks, the internet, and optical fiber.

Telecom engineers are responsible for the analysis, design, implementation, optimization and enhancement of wireless telecommunications networks. Responsibilities include link budgets analysis, system dimensioning for coverage and capacity including traffic analysis, initial system design and dimensioning, site identification, evaluation and zoning support, frequency planning, interference analysis, search ring design and optimization.

They are responsible for examining new network technologies and offering suggestions regarding integration. They guarantee network availability and provide necessary maintenance and support. They plan, schedule and play an active role in equipment installations. They design and conduct network test and evaluation activities. They provide subject matter expertise for network interoperability and integration.

The telecom engineer handles network protect schemes, network synchronization, and bandwidth availability. They oversee the design and maintenance of telephone and broadband communication networks. They identify and resolve any issues related to fiber optics and copper cables. They perform proactive maintenance and help in setting system monitoring, reducing equipment failure and incident response time. They develop all necessary documents, such as network maps and disaster recovery. They examine and service telecommunications devices in frequent intervals of time.

Telecom engineers are fully proficient in the set-up, calibration, utilization, and data processing of various design and optimization equipment and software. They have comprehensive knowledge of Planet and Atoll, for model calibration, drive test data post-processing, map generation, frequency planning and interference matrix analysis, site database maintenance, etc. They verify RF-related site engineering drawings and perform design criteria, system dimensioning, link budget and traffic analysis.

The telecom engineer has good knowledge of logging and database tables to gather information required to resolve problems. They work in coordination with the telephony team to take care of the system down emergencies, errors of hardware, software, and network. They also look into telephony problems such as completion, documentation, notification. The telecom engineer maintains an audit of maintenance holes, hand holes, and pull boxes to identify cables. They design outside plant network facilities and applicable network infrastructure. They record verification, document preparation necessary to prepare work order construction prints.

Telecommunications engineers typically have a bachelor's degree in electrical or electronics engineering. Programs that have been approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology may be especially useful. An entry-level graduate may not take up this position immediately, but certification programs such as CCNA, CCNP, and working experience can help them accelerate their career. A telecommunication engineer will typically oversee and guide the work of Associate and Design Engineers, in charge of managing the day-to-day operations of the projects, and interface with Project Managers.

Glow’s role

Here at Glow, we hire telecom engineers not only for designing networks but also for optimizing and making sure that the network is optimized and gives the end customers the best experience possible. We look for engineers that come with experience in different technologies such as 4G LTE/VoLTE/5G as well as work experience with different OEMs. Having multi-vendor experience allows the engineers to troubleshoot issues better and achieve better results faster. Our telecom engineers work alongside our system, network and software engineers to support our customer’s network.

We apply proven principles and innovative approaches to solve customer problems, and our group of experienced, passionate and creative engineers provides our clients with innovative solutions. We train our engineers to work hand-in-hand with project managers on technical issues, assist in developing and managing scope as well as scheduling and budgeting. Our senior telecom engineers lead and facilitate critical meetings to guide vendor engineers, network analysts and other groups as needed, they also mentor and coach peer and other departments on telecommunications operational processes and technologies.