SCTE Updates Broadband Installer Exam

The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers announced an enhanced version of its Broadband Premises Installer (BPI) certification examination, with new topics including customer service and safety practices, troubleshooting procedures, consumer electronics and IPv6.

The exam is aligned with SCTE's Broadband Premises Installation and Service Guidebook, which the association introduced in November 2011.

The updated certification testing includes new questions regarding industry best practices, grounding requirements and customer service and safety practices. In addition, the new exam tests for knowledge in such areas regarding: consumer electronics; Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) home networking and other products and services; IPv6 and other technologies; and test equipment and troubleshooting procedures.

The exam and the manual are products of an SCTE working group that includes cable system operators, vendors and installation contractors.

"The continued deployment of new products and services by cable system operators demands additional levels of skill from the industry's workforce," said Chris Feathers, Bright House Networks director of technical operations and a member of the SCTE Broadband Premises working group. "Updated SCTE training and certification offer assurance that our broadband premises professionals will be well prepared to offer the best possible service to business and residential customers."

The SCTE Broadband Premises Installer certification describes the knowledge of an entry-level technician who will install and trouble shoot video, voice and data services at the customer's premises. The certification is the first of three tiers in the SCTE Broadband Premises program, which comprises Broadband Premises Technician (BPT) and Broadband Premises Expert (BPE) designations.

The SCTE Broadband Premises Installation and Service Guidebook is $119 for SCTE members and $149 for nonmembers.