Delivery: Online | College Credit: 1 Credit Hour | Est. Length: 10 Seat Hours | Price: $425.00
Course Overview
The NCTI Broadband Network Overview course provides the “big picture” of how the telecommunications business works. It is the perfect starting point for employees who need to understand the lifecycle of a signal—from the headend to the customer’s home—without getting bogged down in complex engineering formulas.
This course bridges the communication gap between technical and non-technical personnel. Students will visually explore the Hybrid Fiber-Coax (HFC) network, learning the functions of amplifiers, fiber optics, and signal processing equipment. Additionally, the course contextualizes the technology within the business landscape, covering the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the competitive services challenging the broadband industry today.
Who Should Attend:
- Customer Service Representatives
- Dispatchers and Administrative Staff
- Sales and Marketing Professionals
- Entry-level Technicians
What You Will Learn
Upon completion, students will possess a functional understanding of broadband architecture, allowing them to communicate more effectively with technical teams and customers.
Core Competencies:
- Network Architecture: Trace the signal path through the three major system parts: the Headend (processing), the Trunk & Feeder (distribution), and the Drop (customer premises).
- Equipment Identification: Identify active vs. passive components and explain the function of amplifiers and signal processors.
- Installation Basics: Describe how aerial and underground networks are constructed and how the “drop” connects the subscriber.
- Industry Landscape: Compare broadband cable services to competitors and outline the effects of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
- Service Quality: Understand the test equipment used to verify system performance and how technical operations impact customer satisfaction.
Certification and Benefits
Earn College Credit & Certification Pathways
This course offers a low-barrier entry to academic advancement, providing 1 hour of college credit.
Additional Benefits:
- Career Advancement: Credits apply toward the NCTI Customer Care Master Representative and Master Dispatcher certifications.
- Cross-Functional Skills: Work more efficiently with technical personnel by understanding their terminology and challenges.
- Industry Recognition: Receive the NCTI Certificate of Graduation.
Course Outline
Module 1: Broadband Cable System Overview
- Exploring the signal path from source to destination.
- Categorizing services (Video, Data, Voice).
- Organizing departments for better interaction.
Module 2: The Trunk System
- Introducing the transport network.
- Identifying active and passive trunk components.
- Constructing and maintaining the plant.
Module 3: The Feeder System
- Distributing the signal to neighborhoods.
- Describing feeder components and maintenance.
Module 4: Installing at the Drop
- The importance of a quality install.
- Performing aerial vs. underground drop installations.
- Connecting Customer Premises Equipment (CPE).
Module 5: Understanding Competitive Services
- The Telecommunications Act of 1996.
- Examining current and future competitive services.