Career as a Telecom Field Technician in India: Pay, Courses and How to Begin

Telecommunications & 5G/6G Networks

Updated

At a glance

A telecom field technician installs, maintains and repairs network equipment such as towers, fibre lines and broadband connections on site; most enter after an ITI or diploma.

A telecom field technician installs, maintains and repairs the equipment that keeps mobile and broadband networks running, working on towers, fibre routes, exchanges and customer premises. The job is hands-on and mostly outdoors, and it suits students who enjoy electronics and practical work more than sitting at a desk.

This is one of the most accessible telecom careers in India. Students who finish an ITI in Electronics Mechanic or a three-year diploma in electronics or telecommunication engineering can apply for entry-level roles, and many learn the rest on the job. The work can be physically demanding and involves travel, climbing and sometimes night or emergency calls, so it is worth knowing these hard parts before you choose it.

Demand is linked to the expansion of 5G and fibre networks, and public sector and contract recruitment for technicians and field engineers continues. Your starting point is usually a Class 10 pass followed by an ITI or diploma, then practical training, safety certification and a first job with a telecom operator, public sector unit or network contractor.

Minimum Qualification
Class 10 pass plus ITI or diploma
Typical Degree
ITI (about 2 years) or diploma (3 years)
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹1.8 - ₹2.6 Lakh/annum (indicative)
Entry-level to Senior
Around ₹1.8 to ₹6 Lakh/annum at senior level
Job Demand Growth
Steady, driven by 5G and fibre rollout
Work Hours
Often 8-10 hours; field visits, some on-call
Places of Work
Towers, fibre routes, exchanges, homes, offices

What Does a Telecom Field Technician Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Install new broadband, leased line and mobile network equipment at customer sites, exchanges or towers.

  • Splice and test optical fibre cables, using tools such as fusion splicers and OTDRs to check signal loss.

  • Diagnose faults in lines, routers, optical network terminals (ONTs), antennas and power supply units, and repair or replace them.

  • Carry out preventive maintenance on towers, cabinets and outdoor equipment, including checks after storms or power failures.

  • Configure and test equipment against the job sheet, then confirm the link works before closing the job.

  • Record work done, parts used and fault details in the company's ticketing or field management system.

  • Follow safety rules for working at height, near high-voltage power and in confined spaces, and explain the service to customers.

Where They Work

Telecom technicians work for private telecom operators, tower and infrastructure companies, fibre and broadband internet service providers, and the contractors and system integrators who maintain their networks. Public sector units such as BSNL and RailTel also recruit technicians and field engineers for their networks.

Most of the work is in the field: customer premises, street cabinets, rooftop and ground-based towers, and telephone exchanges. Technicians are often based in a city or district and travel to several sites a day, so a driving licence and comfort with travel are useful.

How to Become a Telecom Field Technician in India?

After Class 10

Pass Class 10 with mathematics and science. Apply for an ITI trade such as Electronics Mechanic, or for a three-year diploma in electronics or telecommunication engineering at a government or private polytechnic. Admission is usually through state counselling or merit lists.

ITI or Diploma Training

Build core skills in basic electronics, circuits, cable termination, networking and power systems. Practical workshop hours matter as much as theory, so make sure your institute has proper lab and field exposure.

Skill Courses and Apprenticeship

BSNL has launched free telecom skill development courses with job assistance for ITI pass-outs and diploma final-year students. Check current availability and eligibility, and look for apprenticeship or internship options with telecom operators and contractors to gain field experience.

Licence / Certification

Get fibre optic splicing training and safety training for working at heights and near towers, which many employers require. Certificate names and providers differ, so ask prospective employers which ones they accept.

First Job

Apply to telecom operators, tower and fibre contractors, and public sector recruitment notices. Public sector notices in 2026 included technician and field engineer posts, such as a RailTel recruitment for 53 technician, field engineer and other posts. Keep your ITI or diploma marksheet, training certificates and a valid driving licence ready.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • For an ITI trade such as Electronics Mechanic, Class 10 pass is usually the entry requirement, with mathematics and science studied at school.

  • For a diploma in electronics or telecommunication engineering, Class 10 with mathematics and science is typically required, and the diploma is taken after Class 10.

  • Some students use a Class 12 science background and enrol in a diploma, but most field technician roles do not need Class 12 or a degree.

Minimum Qualification

  • Class 10 pass plus an ITI certificate or diploma in electronics, telecommunication or a related trade is the usual minimum for entry-level telecom field technician jobs.

  • Minimum marks for ITI and diploma admission vary by state and institute, typically around 35 to 50 per cent in Class 10, and recruitment notices set their own criteria.

  • Physical fitness, a valid driving licence in many roles, and comfort with heights and outdoor work are practical requirements.

Courses and Degrees for Telecom Field Technician

  • ITI Trades
    • ITI Electronics Mechanic (about 2 years)
    • ITI Wireman (about 1 to 2 years), useful for power and cabling work
    • ITI Electrician (about 2 years), useful for site power and cabinet work
    Diplomas
    • Diploma in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering (3 years)
    • Diploma in Electronics and Communication Engineering (3 years)
    • Diploma in Electrical Engineering (3 years), useful for power systems
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • BSNL free telecom skill development courses with job assistance, for ITI pass-outs and diploma final-year students (duration varies)
    • Fibre optic splicing and testing course (short-term, duration varies by provider)
    • Safety training for working at heights and near towers (a few days, as required by employers)

Skills Required to Become a Telecom Field Technician

Technical Skills

  • Reading circuit diagrams and network layouts
  • Fibre optic splicing and loss testing with OTDR
  • Cable crimping, termination and jointing
  • Basic electronics and power supply troubleshooting
  • Using multimeters, signal meters and other field test tools
  • Basic router and ONT configuration and testing
  • Antenna and tower equipment installation basics

Soft Skills

  • Safety awareness and discipline
  • Problem solving under time pressure
  • Clear communication with customers
  • Accurate record keeping and reporting
  • Teamwork with supervisors and other technicians
  • Physical fitness and endurance for outdoor work

Telecom Field Technician Salary in India

0 to 2 years

Entry Level

₹1.8 - ₹2.6 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Telecom Technician, Field Technician, Installation Technician, Junior Fibre Technician
  • Installing broadband and fibre connections, basic fault repair and site support under a senior technician

3 to 6 years

Mid Level

₹2.6 - ₹3.6 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Senior Telecom Technician, Fibre Technician, Site Technician, Network Maintenance Technician
  • Independent fault diagnosis, fibre splicing and testing, tower or cabinet maintenance, and mentoring new technicians

7+ years

Senior Level

₹3.6 - ₹6 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: Field Supervisor, Team Lead, Field Engineer, Network Operations Supervisor
  • Managing teams and project sites, planning maintenance and rollouts, and handling escalations and quality checks

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Installation Technician

Sets up broadband, fibre and leased line connections at homes, offices and business premises.

Fibre Optic Technician

Splices, tests and repairs optical fibre cables on trunk routes, street networks and metro builds.

Tower Site Technician

Maintains radio equipment, power systems and cabinets at mobile towers, often working at height.

Network Maintenance Technician

Keeps exchange, router and access equipment running through preventive checks and fault repairs.

Field Engineer

Handles larger installation and maintenance jobs, with more responsibility for planning and quality on site.

Field Supervisor

Leads a team of technicians, schedules jobs, checks work quality and reports to the operations manager.

Telecom Network Engineer

Designs, configures and optimises networks; often reached after experience and further study.

Scope and Future of Telecom Field Technician in India

Demand for field technicians depends on how much network gets built and maintained. Telecom remains a large sector, and the regulator TRAI publishes monthly telecom subscription data, which shows how the subscriber base keeps changing. Every new tower, fibre route and home connection needs people to install and maintain it.

Government initiatives are adding to this demand. A 2026 Times of India report said India's telecom equipment sector has about $50 billion export potential, with NITI Aayog highlighting the hurdles to achieving it. Another 2026 report said the PLI scheme for telecom and networking products had generated over ₹14,000 crore in export sales. Public sector recruitment also continues: RailTel listed 53 technician, field engineer and other posts in 2026, and BSNL launched free telecom skill courses with job assistance for ITI and diploma students in December 2025.

Over time, technicians can move into supervisory, project and network engineering roles, especially after gaining experience with fibre, wireless and core network equipment. Some technicians take a lateral entry route into a B.Tech after a diploma, depending on state and college rules. Overseas work in telecom installation and maintenance is possible in some countries, but visa, licensing and employer rules differ, so check each country's requirements before planning a move.

Is Telecom Field Technician
the Right Career for You?

Telecom Field Technician can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Telecom Field Technician: Frequently Asked Questions

What does a telecom field technician do?

A telecom field technician installs, maintains and repairs network equipment at customer homes, offices, fibre routes, exchanges and mobile towers. Typical tasks include setting up broadband connections, splicing and testing fibre cables, diagnosing faults in routers and antennas, and recording the work done. The job is mostly outdoors and involves travel to several sites each day.

Can I become a telecom field technician after Class 10?

Yes. After Class 10 you can join an ITI trade such as Electronics Mechanic or a three-year diploma in electronics or telecommunication engineering. Both routes give you the skills employers look for at entry level. Admission is usually through state counselling or merit lists, and the criteria vary by state and institute.

Is an ITI or a diploma better for a telecom field technician job?

Both can lead to the same entry-level jobs. An ITI is shorter and more practical, so you can start working sooner. A diploma takes longer but gives broader theory, which can help if you later want a supervisory or engineering role or a lateral entry into a B.Tech. Choose based on how soon you want to work and where you want your career to go.

How much does a telecom field technician earn in India?

Entry-level pay is indicatively around ₹1.8 to ₹2.6 lakh a year, rising with experience and supervisory responsibility. Pay varies by employer, city, contract type and the skills you have, and public sector recruitment follows its own pay scales. Check current job notices and salary data from recruiters before making decisions.

Do I need a certificate to work on towers?

Most employers require safety training for working at height and near tower equipment before you go on site. The exact certificates and providers differ between companies, so ask an employer which training they accept. Completing this training during or after your ITI or diploma makes you more employable.

Is telecom field technician a good career for the future?

The work is tied to the continued building and upkeep of mobile, fibre and broadband networks, so demand is likely to remain steady. Growth in 5G, fibre rollout and telecom manufacturing supports this. Technicians who develop fibre, wireless and network skills can move into senior field and engineering roles over time.

Can a telecom field technician move into an engineering role?

Yes, with experience and further study. Many technicians build on their diploma or ITI, gain field experience, and then move into supervisory or network engineering roles. Some take a lateral entry into a B.Tech after a diploma, subject to state and college rules. Ask your institute about lateral entry options.

Sources and Further Reading

Official and published pages this guide was researched from (facts last checked ). Fees, dates and cut-offs change every year, so confirm them on the official websites.

  1. Home | Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunicationsdot.gov.in
  2. Telecom Subscriptions Reports - Telecom Regulatory Authority of Indiatrai.gov.in

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