23 Mar 2026
GETAC CASE STUDY
How RTC Fiber Communications Eliminated Field Device Failures and Improved Technician Productivity with the Getac K120 Rugged Tablet
The Getac K120 fully rugged tablet helped RTC Fiber Communications replace unreliable consumer-grade devices and paper-based workflows with a purpose-built rugged computing solution — enabling fiber technicians to manage orders, track time, test connectivity, and communicate with headquarters directly from the field.
RTC Fiber Communications Case Study Summary
- Customer: RTC Fiber Communications
- Industry: Telecommunications
- Solution: Getac K120 Fully Rugged Tablet
- Primary Use Case: Digital field operations for fiber technicians
- Key Result: Eliminated consumer device failures and improved fiber technician productivity across field operations
RTC Fiber Communications deployed the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet to modernize how fiber technicians manage daily field operations. After consumer-grade devices failed repeatedly in the field, RTC replaced them with the K120 - a purpose-built rugged computing platform that enables fiber teams to place orders, price projects, track time, test wireless connectivity, and stay connected to headquarters without leaving the customer site.
How Did RTC Fiber Communications Improve Fiber Technician Productivity in the Field?
RTC Fiber Communications improved fiber technician productivity by deploying the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet to replace paper-based workflows and consumer-grade devices that repeatedly failed during daily field operations.
With the Getac K120, fiber technicians can digitally manage project pricing, order placement, employee time tracking, and fiber speed testing directly from customer sites - eliminating return trips to headquarters and reducing the administrative overhead that slowed field teams down.
Fiber Optic Field Operations Use Case
Fiber optic telecommunications providers rely on field technicians to manage a wide range of tasks at customer sites, including placing service orders, pricing fiber installations, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and testing fiber and wireless speeds. These workflows have traditionally depended on paper forms and manual processes that introduce errors, delays, and communication gaps between field crews and back-office teams.
Using the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet, RTC Fiber Communications technicians now manage all critical field workflows from a single rugged device, including:
- Electronically tracking employee time directly from the field
- Placing fiber service orders from the customer's location
- Pricing projects and managing installation documentation digitally
- Testing fiber speeds and wireless connectivity at customer sites
- Communicating in real time with administrative staff at RTC headquarters
Rugged mobile computing enables fiber field teams to operate reliably across the residential and outdoor environments where consumer-grade devices consistently fail - supporting uninterrupted productivity throughout the workday.
Key Outcomes
- Eliminated repeated device failures caused by consumer-grade tablets and laptops unsuitable for telecom field conditions
- Replaced paper-based fiber field workflows with fully digital operations across the technician team
- Improved fiber technician productivity through streamlined order placement, project pricing, and time tracking from the field
- Eliminated return trips to headquarters by enabling technicians to complete transactions and documentation at the customer site
- Improved real-time communication between fiber field crews and RTC administrative staff
- Enhanced customer service delivery speed and accuracy across Fulton County fiber installations
- Strengthened operational confidence through partnership with a rugged computing provider that matched RTC's own commitment to customer service
Overview
Founded in 1895 and headquartered in Rochester, Indiana, RTC Fiber Communications provides wireless internet and fiber optic telecommunications solutions to residents and businesses throughout Fulton County. As an independently owned tier-two provider operating under incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) regulations, RTC is committed to delivering tailored communication solutions that surpass the competition in customer service quality.
Serving a regional fiber customer base means RTC field technicians must work efficiently across a variety of residential and outdoor environments — managing everything from new fiber installations to troubleshooting and speed testing at existing customer sites. Technology reliability is essential to maintaining the high standard of service that differentiates RTC in the Fulton County market.
To support its growing fiber operations, RTC required a field technology solution capable of keeping pace with technician workloads while withstanding the physical demands of daily utility field work.
Challenge
RTC Fiber Communications needed to transition its fiber technician team away from paper-based workflows for project pricing, order placement, troubleshooting, and fiber speed testing. The manual approach created operational inefficiencies that slowed technicians down and reduced the quality of service RTC could deliver to fiber customers.
In an initial effort to modernize, RTC deployed a fleet of consumer-grade laptops and tablets. The devices failed repeatedly when exposed to the physical demands of daily telecom field work — making it clear that standard commercial hardware was not built for the environments fiber technicians operate in.
RTC required a rugged mobile computing solution for fiber field operations capable of:
- Replacing paper-based workflows with reliable digital field processes
- Withstanding the physical demands of daily fiber installation and service environments
- Supporting real-time communication between fiber technicians and headquarters
- Enabling order placement, time tracking, project pricing, and connectivity testing directly from the field
- Delivering the connectivity and versatility needed across varied residential and outdoor service environments
Solution
After researching rugged computing options and reviewing Getac's product specifications, RTC Fiber Communications engaged the Getac solutions team, who conducted an on-site visit to fully understand the team's operational environment before recommending a device. This consultative approach aligned directly with RTC's own customer service values and was a decisive factor in the deployment decision.
Following the on-site evaluation, it was clear that the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet was the right fit for RTC's fiber field operations.
The Getac K120 provides RTC fiber technicians with a powerful, adaptable rugged computing platform built for telecom field operations, featuring:
- A 12.5" FHD LumiBond® 2.0 display for clear visibility across indoor and outdoor environments
- An attachable full-size backlit keyboard for efficient documentation and order entry in the field
- A wide variety of straps, handles, and accessories supporting multiple usage modes for fiber technicians
- Latest-generation processing power and connectivity for real-time access to fiber management systems
- Rugged construction purpose-built to withstand the daily physical demands of telecom field work
With the Getac K120 rugged tablet deployed across the team, RTC fiber technicians can now electronically track time, place orders, test wireless and fiber connectivity, and stay connected to headquarters, all from a single reliable device at the customer site.
Results
The deployment of the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet transformed RTC Fiber Communications' field operations by eliminating the device failures and workflow inefficiencies that had undermined the team's previous technology investment.
Operational improvements achieved by RTC Fiber Communications after deploying the Getac K120:
- Eliminated consumer device failures that had repeatedly disrupted fiber field operations
- Replaced manual paper-based workflows with fully digital field processes for the entire technician team
- Enabled fiber technicians to place orders, price projects, track time, and test connectivity without leaving the customer site
- Improved real-time communication between fiber field crews and RTC headquarters
- Increased fiber installation and service delivery speed across Fulton County
- Strengthened overall customer service capabilities through more efficient and reliable field operations
Operational Reliability for Fiber Optic Field Teams
Fiber optic telecommunications providers depend on field technicians who can work productively across demanding residential and outdoor environments. Consumer-grade devices, laptops and tablets not designed for utility field conditions, create costly failures, disrupt fiber installation schedules, and undermine the operational efficiency that digital workflows are meant to deliver.
Rugged tablets designed for telecom field operations, such as the Getac K120, are purpose-built to withstand the conditions fiber technicians encounter every day. The K120's durable construction, versatile form factor, LumiBond® display, and powerful connectivity allow RTC fiber technicians to complete their full range of field tasks without technology disruptions - keeping installations on schedule and customers connected across Fulton County.
For fiber optic telecommunications providers evaluating rugged computing solutions for field technician teams, the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet provides the reliability, connectivity, and adaptability needed to support digital field workflows in demanding telecom environments.
Expert Insight
For fiber optic telecommunications providers, technology partner selection is as important as device selection. The Getac team's decision to conduct an on-site operational review before recommending the Getac K120, rather than pushing the product RTC had initially enquired about, demonstrated the same customer-first approach that guides RTC's own service philosophy.
"Outside of providing a rugged solution at a competitive cost, it was the Getac team's commitment to superior service and our experience working with your team that exceeded expectations and ultimately solidified our decision to roll out K120 devices." - Tyson Kalischuk, CFO — RTC Fiber Communications
FAQ
What challenge did RTC Fiber Communications face with its field technology?
RTC Fiber Communications needed to replace paper-based field workflows and consumer-grade devices that repeatedly failed in the field. Fiber technicians required a rugged digital solution capable of supporting order placement, project pricing, employee time tracking, and fiber speed testing directly from customer sites without device failures disrupting operations.
What rugged tablet did RTC Fiber Communications deploy for fiber field operations?
RTC Fiber Communications deployed the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet selected for its versatile form factor, powerful connectivity, LumiBond® 2.0 display, and rugged durability purpose-built for telecom and utility field operations.
How do fiber technicians use the Getac K120 in the field?
RTC fiber technicians use the Getac K120 to electronically track employee time, place fiber service orders directly from customer sites, manage project pricing documentation digitally, test wireless and fiber connectivity, and communicate in real time with administrative staff at RTC headquarters — all from a single rugged device.
What results did RTC Fiber Communications achieve after deploying the Getac K120 rugged tablet?
RTC Fiber Communications eliminated repeated consumer device failures, replaced paper-based workflows with fully digital field operations, improved fiber technician productivity, reduced time spent on administrative processes, and enhanced real-time communication between field crews and headquarters.
Why do fiber optic telecommunications providers need rugged tablets for field technicians?
Fiber optic field technicians work in residential and outdoor environments where consumer-grade devices fail under the physical demands of daily telecom field work. Rugged tablets like the Getac K120 are purpose-built to withstand these conditions while providing the connectivity and processing power fiber technicians need to manage digital workflows, test connectivity, and access fiber management systems directly from the field.
Why did RTC Fiber Communications choose the Getac K120 over other rugged devices?
RTC Fiber Communications selected the Getac K120 based on both its technical capabilities and Getac's customer service approach. Getac conducted an on-site operational review before recommending a solution demonstrating a commitment to understanding field requirements that gave RTC confidence in the deployment decision and aligned with RTC's own service-first values.
What is the Getac K120 and why is it suited for telecom field operations?
The Getac K120 fully rugged tablet is a purpose-built rugged computing device featuring a 12.5" FHD LumiBond® 2.0 display, attachable full-size backlit keyboard, advanced connectivity, and durable construction designed for demanding field environments. For fiber optic and utility field technicians, the K120 delivers the reliability, versatility, and connectivity needed to support digital workflows across residential installations, outdoor service environments, and telecom field operations.
Download the RTC Fiber Communications Case Study
Learn how RTC Fiber Communications eliminated consumer device failures and modernized fiber technician field operations by deploying the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet. Download the full case study to see how rugged mobile computing helps fiber optic telecommunications providers improve technician productivity, replace paper-based workflows, and deliver faster, more reliable service to customers.
Getac K120 Fully Rugged Tablet
K120 Fully Rugged Tablets
Designed for fiber optic and utility field technicians, the Getac K120 fully rugged tablet delivers the rugged durability, powerful connectivity, and versatile form factor needed to support digital field workflows in demanding telecom environments. With a 12.5" FHD LumiBond® 2.0 display, attachable full-size backlit keyboard, and a wide range of field-ready accessories, the K120 is purpose-built for the way fiber technicians work.
