Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Access network may refer to:
copper:
coaxial
hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC)
twisted pair
broadband:
wireless fidelity (WiFi)
world interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX)
digital services:
asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL)
digital subscriber line (DSL)
internet protocol (IP) network:
computer
IP private branck exchange (IP PBX)
Internet protocol TV (IPTV)
Voice over internet protocol (VoIP)
optical:
fibre to the x (FTTx)
fibre to the premises (FTTP)
fibre to the node (FTTN)
HFC
point-to-point network
point-to-multipoint network
wireless networks:
cellular
microwave
radio
satellite.
Network information sources may include:
network management databases for:
capacity assessment data
network performance data
traffic dimensioning data
network management tools.
Planning data may relate to:
current and proposed network growth
demographic growth
traffic quantity and flow.
Network trends may include:
current network capacity
demographic trends
forecasts service demand
forecasts traffic demand
projected network capacity.
New and emerging technologies may include:
digital subscriber lines:
ADSL
DSL
IP broadband converging technologies:
IPTV
VoIP
WiFI
WiMAX
optical transmission systems:
dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) systems
wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems
mobile radio.
Relevant legislation may include:
Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) standards TS 14
Australian standards applying to radiation hazards
heritage legislation
industrial awards and conditions
International Standards ISO 9000 9001
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendations
National Parks Act
OHS
Privacy Act
State/Territory and Federal Environment Acts
Telecommunications Act and relevant codes.
Existing network may include:
boundaries between:
access and inter-exchange networks
Access Network technology and exchange switching and transmission systems.
Barriers relating to planned network extensions may include:
building availability
environmental considerations
financial constraints
government policy
heritage legislation restrictions
land acquisition problems
material availability
planning approvals
technology availability.
Planning parameters may relate to:
network criteria:
cover sites, buildings and structures
network change
network growth
network reduction
organisational policies, procedures and guidelines
planning priorities driven by:
customer demand
legislative requirements
marketing initiatives
network conditions
revenue projections
planning processes:
documented within enterprise process manuals
enterprise specific.
Resource requirements may refer to:
external to the enterprise
internal to the enterprise.
Network plan may include:
activities
finance
labour
material.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the ability to:
implement planning processes including associated monitoring and control mechanisms
develop solutions to address Access Network shortfalls that satisfy customer and enterprise needs
merge technological development and product implementation into network development plans
produce forecasts for a specific network including cost-benefit analysis.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure:
a network planning area, systems and deployment rules and standards
relevant databases, licensing requirements and other site related procedures.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
direct observation of the candidate undertaking an assessment of an access network
review of documented network development plan, within specification and within specified timeframes completed by the candidate for differing project briefs
review of solutions developed by the candidate that address network shortfalls
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of planning the access network.
Guidance information for assessment
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
ICTNPL4108A Plan the deployment of access network architectures
ICTNPL4109A Evaluate the capability of access networks.

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.