Telecoms | Local Services | Classifieds.co.uk :

Our use of telecommunication systems has grown exponentially in the last few years. Almost all homes and businesses in the UK now have phones, internet and fax systems and at home most have satellite or cable TV services. We are becoming increasingly dependent on these systems for communication. Therefore, unless you are a technological whizz kid, it is likely that most of us will need the services of telecom and telecommunications engineers to help us fix a problem or upgrade our systems at some time. So, it is important to make sure that you choose a reputable, experienced and reliable engineer.

What do telecom and telephone engineering services do?
In general terms, they can provide a range of services covering anything relating to telephone and internet equipment and connections. Different firms will specialise in different areas. For example, they can install phone extensions and additional points for phones, fax, Sky TV and broadband, they can diagnose and fix faults on phone lines, they can rewire your property, they can install modems, routers and home hubs for internet access and they can install telephone systems for businesses. They can also provide you with advice and even practical demonstrations as to how a system works.

How to find telecom and telephone engineering services
Have a look at the free classified advert websites which will allow you to search for telecom and telephone engineering services. This will provide you with a list of engineers and companies in your local area. You will be provided with some information about the services they provide and their contact details so you can select those that seem suitable for your needs and contact them for further details and prices. Another good method to find a suitable engineer for your specific requirement is of course to ask friends and family to recommend an engineer that they have recently used and were happy with.

Costs
The cost of the services you require can vary greatly between different telecom and telecommunications engineering companies. It is therefore essential that you get several estimates for any work that you need doing. Also make sure exactly what the estimate covers. For example, some telecom and telecommunications firms will charge a call out fee before they even start to do any work and this fee can be quite substantial. So, to avoid any nasty surprises when you get your bill, ask whether there is such a call out fee and whether it covers an element of the work (it generally does). Also check if VAT is to be added on to the quote or if it is included. If you don't choose a local company then make sure that there is no extra charge for them to travel to work in your area. Don't simply choose the engineering company that provides you with the cheapest estimate as this might be a false economy. Cost is, of course, important but do make your decision in combination with other factors to make sure that you choose the most appropriate engineering services for your needs.

Guarantees
Check whether or not the parts and the services provided are covered by a guarantee. Many telecom and telephone engineering companies will provide a 12 month guarantee on both parts and labour. This should give you peace of mind and reduce any further potential costs for you if the new or repaired equipment develops a fault.

Qualifications and experience
It is important to ask if the engineers have any relevant qualifications or have completed any recent training courses in the services that they will be providing. Find out if they are members of a professional body as this will usually ensure that their work is of a high standard. As an example, the International Association for Radio, Telecommunications and Electromagnetics (iNARTE) is a worldwide professional telecommunications association which certifies qualified engineers in the field of telecommunications. Many manufacturers and major service providers will also have their own certification schemes. Also, ask how many years experience they have in the sort of work you require.

Working hours
Find out if the engineers only work standard working hours during weekdays or if they are prepared to work in the evenings or weekends and whether there is any extra cost for so doing. This may be important to you if you can't take any time off work during the day to allow the engineers into your house. If you have a problem with your business telecom or telephone system you should also ask the engineers how long they predict that it will take to fix so that you know how long your systems will be out of action. This will allow you to keep clients and staff informed (if you are still able to reach them!) and to reschedule work if needed.

Regulator
The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries. Its remit includes responsibility for all telecommunications and wireless communications services in the UK. Ofcom is a good source of advice for consumers in any matters relating to telecommunications services.