OS19 Specialised works categories

SOA category OS19

Telecommunication and data transmission network systems

OS19 covers telecommunication and data transmission network systems: telephony, data and video over copper cables, fibre optics, radio or satellite. It is the category of infrastructure outside buildings: from fibre ducts to 5G base stations, through to submarine cables and telecom exchanges.

Simulate the cost of SOA certification
Calculate fees and requirements
The scope of OS19: tower, base stations, cities connected by underground fibre optics
The scope of OS19: tower, base stations, cities connected by underground fibre optics

SOA certification OS19: areas of application

OS19 covers all telecommunication infrastructure across the country. The main sectors:

  • Fibre optics (FTTH and FTTC): fibre networks to homes or street cabinets.
  • Base stations and 5G: installation and maintenance of antennas and their fibre connections.
  • Backbones and submarine cables: fibre networks between cities and links to the smaller islands.
  • Telecom exchanges: telephone exchanges, network nodes and operators’ equipment rooms.
  • Public Administration networks: regional, university and healthcare networks between public sites.
  • Urban video surveillance: public networks of cameras and number-plate recognition across the territory.

In short: OS19 is the category of the public telecommunication network, at the heart of the largest digital plan ever undertaken in Italy.

Base station with panel antennas and radio signal propagation
Base station with panel antennas and radio signal propagation

SOA categories related to OS19

OS30
Internal electrical, telephone and data systems

is the category most often confused with OS19. OS19 is the public network across the territory, OS30 the system inside the building: the operator’s cable up to the basement is OS19, from there to the socket it is OS30.

OS17
External telephone lines and high-frequency telephone systems

is the historical version of OS19, linked to old telephone lines. With the end of analogue networks, the work has shifted to OS19.

OG6
Water mains, gas pipelines, oil pipelines, irrigation and drainage works

carries out the excavations and cable ducts that house the fibre; OS19 lays the cables and equipment.

OS35
Low environmental impact works (no-dig technologies)

is needed for trenchless installation (drilling and micro-trenching); OS19 for cables, equipment and testing.

OG10
External electrical distribution systems

brings the power supply to telecom exchanges and base stations.

OG3
Roads, motorways, railways

comes into play when networks cross roads or railways and the road surface and signage need to be restored.

Fibre optic splice: incoming multi-fibre cable, splice and fanout to users
Fibre optic splice: incoming multi-fibre cable, splice and fanout to users

Why it pays to qualify in OS19

OS19 is one of the most dynamic sectors of the SOA system.

SOA category OS19: frequently asked questions

What is the official description of category OS19?

OS19 is the category that “concerns the supply, installation and maintenance or renovation of switching systems for public or private, local or long-distance telecommunication networks for telephony, telex, data and video over copper cables, fibre optic cables, radio-electric means, telephone, radiotelephone and television satellites, and data transmission networks and similar, whatever their degree of importance, complete with all related masonry, complementary or ancillary works, to be carried out, separately from the execution of other systems, in general works that have already been completed or are under construction”. In short: all public or private telecommunication networks outside buildings, regardless of the transmission medium.

Is a video surveillance system OS19 or OS30?

It depends. If the cameras are distributed across the territory, for example throughout a municipality, it is OS19. If the system serves a single building or complex, such as a school or a hospital, it is OS30.

What is the difference between OS19 and OS17?

OS17 is the historical category of analogue telephone lines and radio links. OS19 covers today’s digital networks: fibre, IP, 5G and satellite.

Which works count as CEL for OS19?

External fibre optic networks, base stations, public data transmission networks, switching exchanges, submarine cables, radio links and territorial video surveillance.

Your next move?

Demonstrate your requirements and turn this knowledge into action: make sure you have the right SOA qualification and don’t hesitate to invest in training and innovation.