Planning officers from private and public organisations apply the skills and knowledge in this unit to perform the role of a network planner. They combine technical design and planning skills with organisational, economic and regulation skills to be able to plan the access network of service providers.

Technical officers may be responsible for small projects or parts of larger projects and for the operational and engineering of the enterprise and telecommunications network in general.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Evaluate economic and political influences on the telecommunications industry in Australia

1.1. Research the impact of deregulation and competition in the telecommunications industry on planning priorities of competing service providers in Australia due to the different federal government policies

1.2. Assess the influence of local and international economic conditions on the growth of the industry that would impact on the planning justification for a new network

1.3. Evaluate and produce a report on the economic and political influences upon public and commercial enterprises providing services in a competitive telecommunications market of fast changing technologies

2. Evaluate impact of key regulation and legislation on the telecommunications industry

2.1. Access the legislations that govern carriers in Australia to determine the rights of carriers and service providers in installing facilities under Commonwealth legislation

2.2. Use the Telecommunications Industry Regulatory Accounting Framework (RAF) to determine the method used by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in enforcing competitive provisions between service providers

2.3. Evaluate the impact on planning of services by the obligation placed by Universal Service Obligation (USO) on service providers to ensure that services are reasonably accessible to all people in Australia on an equitable basis

2.4. Produce a summary report evaluating the impact by the legislations on the planning process of Access Networks and plan strategies to facilitate network planning

3. Apply internal financial compliance

3.1. Use an enterprise-specific investment management system (IMS) to create on the spot reports for performance measurement of an existing planning project against the business plan

3.2. Produce a report of planning work activities incorporating enterprise-specific policies and procedures underpinned by regulatory and compliance obligations

Required skills

analytical skills to assess impact of economic and political influences on enterprise policies and procedures

literacy skills to write evaluation reports

planning skills to review current and new technology, facilities and features when developing options

problem solving skills to assess current Access Network conditions

research skills to:

analyse impact on planning processes

obtain and study information relating to the telecommunications industry

study relevant legislation and associated operational codes

Required knowledge

deregulation of industry

investment management system

legislations

market forces

planning procedures

telecommunications framework

telecommunications industry

telecommunications networks

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

produce an evaluation report on the economic and political influences on the telecommunications industry in Australia

produce an evaluation report on the impact of key regulation and legislation on the telecommunications industry

produce a summary report evaluating the impact by the legislations on the planning process of Access Networks.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

relevant legislations, planning processes and Telecommunications Industry Regulatory Accounting Framework (RAF)

planning tools, enterprise-specific investment management system (IMS), relevant databases, licensing requirements and other related procedures.

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

review of evaluation and summary reports completed by the candidate

oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplaces and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTNPL4108A Plan the deployment of access network architectures

ICTNPL4151A Plan the telecommunications access network for an estate.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Planning priorities may be driven by:

customer demand

legislative requirements

marketing initiatives

network conditions

revenue projections.

Planning may refer to:

network change

network growth

network reduction

sites, buildings and structures.

Legislations may include

ACCC

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) legislations

Telecommunications Act 1997

Telecommunications Industry Regulatory Framework (RAF)

Telecommunications ombudsman

Trade Practices Act

USO.

Business plan may refer to:

activities

finance

labour

material

planning resource commitment.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Network planning

This unit contains employability skills.