Career Mirror -- by Mark Sproxton

The Wireless Warriors. Have Laptop -- Will Travel. No Ties That Bind. Any of these phrases could be used for the title of a TV series about wireless network technicians. Armed with a laptop, cell phone, pager and truck, these high tech heros travel where needed to battle Mother Nature and techno gremlins ensuring the wireless waves are up and operating.

Wireless technology keeps Claude Bonin learning.

"In new technology, you have to deal with problems that are new to everybody," explained Claude Bonin, of Telus Mobility. "You don't really have anybody to call and (have them) say 'Do this...'." That freedom is part of the allure of the career for the long-time telecommunication worker. "I like the flexibility you have in planning your work load and the variety of things that are involved in your work. One day you might be on the roof of Bankers' Hall and the next day taking a helicopter ride to the top of a cell site. But you have to be able to juggle priorities well. You may be doing something routine and have something else come up. Fixing a cell site outage is the top priority."

In the '70s, however, Bonin, and few others, had any idea technology would proceed such a torrid pace. After completing a two-year telecommunication program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and then starting work with AGT -- the former provincial telephone company -- as a phone equipment installer, Bonin moved to the mobile communications division where he maintained and installed equipment used in mobile radio communication.

Technology continued to develop and he moved into the cellular field. "I saw cellular as the a step above where you're into more high tech equipment. Some guys I work with followed the same route because you got the skills you required and then you moved into cellular."

Similar telecommunications courses are still offered at Alberta's technical colleges, and Telus offers in-house training to new and established technicians. Training on equipment of local telecommunication manufacturers/developers is also regularly offered to keep employees up to date with new equipment. "You have to enjoy learning," Bonin said, "because the learning is non-stop. Wireless is evolving at a break-neck speed."

The main tool of Bonin's trade is a lap top computer. All work, such as testing to see if an antenna is working, or the testing of new hardware and software installed at a cell site, is done through the lap top. And if a problem arises that can't be overcome, the laptop allows technicians to transfer information, or pictures, immediately to someone else in the company, such as an engineer. The ability to work well with a team and being confident in making decisions are also required for the position. Computer knowledge and the ability to change and understand items such as ethernet cards or modems is crucial.

Half Bonin's day, which most often begins from home, is working on planned duties, the other half dealing with things requiring more immediate attention, such as fixing a problem with a pager system. "You need to be a logical thinker," Bonin said. "In technology you're dealing with complex things that are happening very fast, that you can't see. To trouble-shoot that process, you have to do things logically to eliminate possibilities."

The requirements of and for the job will be similar whether working at a large company like Telus or a smaller company, he added. Casual clothing is the typical daily dress, although when working at some sites, steel toed shoes and/or safety glasses will be required. These items are company supplied, Bonin said. While the job is described as a Monday to Friday 8 a.m . to 4 p.m. position, he said overtime is common and that he's on call at all times.

For those with technical interests and abilities, Bonin sees a good future for anyone interested in battling the forces putting hiccups in wireless networks. "Things are going to do nothing but really grow for the next while. As you grow the technology, the infrastructure has to grow and you need (to create) more jobs to make that happen."