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February 2026Publication
of The Fiber Optic Association Inc. (FOA), the international non-profit
professional association of fiber optics and certifying body for fiber optics.
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INDEX
Newsletter Sections
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Underground Utility Location For Safer Construction Underground construction for fiber optic cable plants can be dangerous and expensive if existing underground utilities are damaged. Gas and electric services are particularly dangerous. Damaging fiber optic cables can disrupt communications for large areas and be very expensive to the careless contractor. It’s not just digging – the fiber optic industry refers often to “backhoe fade” when a cable is cut – but horizontal directional drilling (HDD) is especially dangerous. HDD can easily puncture high pressure gas lines causing fires or explosions or puncture sewer lines which may go undetected for years.  Drawing from post by Geoff Rottmayer on LinkedIn. One of the challenges for construction is the unpredictable nature of underground infrastructure. Many utilities were installed decades ago and may not appear on modern maps. Even recent installations may not be accurately recorded. Relying solely on utility records may be a problem due to incomplete or outdated information. Inaccurate line markings can be misleading, especially in high density utility areas. Every underground construction project requires the contractor use “Call Before You Dig” services to have the local authorities and owners of buried utilities identify the current utilities in the area of the construction. The owners of the utilities involved will locate the utilities in the area and mark their locations.  The locator (the person doing the location and marking) will use a standardized color code of spray paint, stakes or colored flags to identify buried utilities:
These markings are not exact information. There is a tolerance zone associated with each set of marks. The tolerance zone is the area where the excavator must be careful, because they may still strike a line or have a near miss when using large machinery. Tolerance zones vary by state, but range from 18” to 36” (~0.5-1 meter). The tolerance zone distance spans each side of the outer edge of the pipeline or cable, where digging with mechanized equipment is not allowed. If the tolerance zone is 24” (~0.6 meter) and the pipeline diameter is 2” (50 mm) that translates into a 50” (~1.25 m) area where no mechanized equipment may be used. Inside of the tolerance zone, which you may think of as a simple buffer for safety sake, or an allowance for lack of precision of the tools and methods, the excavator must hand dig for exact location and/or use alternate excavation techniques. Pipeline and electric-transmission owner standards typically demand daylighting (hand digging to expose the utilities) 15 feet on either side of the crossing and at each tie-in. There are two other limitations. Even with the tolerance zone, depth information is not displayed and not all utility lines are grouped together in a conduit or layered tightly in a utility corridor. Many utilities could be at different depths and/or side by side. The installer's responsibility does not stop with understanding the locating marks. Wise contractors use locating equipment to confirm the location of underground utilities before they begin construction. Today two technologies are primarily used: Electromagnetic (EM) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). We'll cover more on location equipment and techniques in a future article. Our thanks to Scott Landes and Benjamin R. Dierker. This article was adapted from their coming book Holding Back Disaster The Men and Women Standing Between Death and Destruction, Billions of Dollars of Losses, and Life-Altering Infrastructure Disruptions. Read more about underground location in the FOA Guide. More reading: Here are 2 articles that every contractor needs to read: Locating Fiber Optic Cables: Practical Challenges and Better Approaches - Global 811 Magazine and Case Study: The Economic Ripple Effect of a Single Fiber Cut in the same issue. How Many Fiber Techs? And Who Is A Fiber Tech?
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News
Lots more news in Worth Reading below |
School of Telecoms Certifies 1,000 FOA CFOTs in Greece & Cyprus The School of Telecoms, an FOA-approved center in Greece, has reached a major milestone, awarding over 1,000 First FOA Certifications through its fiber-optic training programs. This achievement in a relatively small telecommunications market reflects the growing demand for hands-on, standards-based fiber-optic training and highlights the School’s dedication to developing skilled professionals in Greece and Cyprus. Training programs serve individuals working across the fiber-optic industry, including professionals from telecommunications providers, energy companies, public sector services, fiber-optic manufacturers, and contractors. Trainees come from a wide range of sectors where fiber-optic networks are designed, installed, operated, or maintained.  The School of Telecoms (S.O.T.) offers a structured range of FOA training programs, including basic education such as CFOT and CPCT, skills-based training like CFOS Testing and CFOS Splicing, and application-based courses such as CFOS FTTx and CFOS Design. These programs combine solid theory with hands-on skills for real-world network environments. Social Contribution & Industry Engagement Beyond technical training, S.O.T. actively supports the Fiber Optic Association of Greece and regularly participates in industry conferences, events, workshops, and professional training related to fiber-optic technologies. In addition, the S.O.T. promotes awareness by organizing educational days in public schools across Greece, introducing students to fiber-optic technology and its role in modern communications and infrastructure. It Takes A Lot Of Equipment To Teach A PON Troubleshooting ClassIan Gordon Fudge of FiberDK is developing an advanced PON troubleshooting course. The photo below shows the equipment needed to teach a course like this.
OLTs, 20 Km fiber, 32 and 64 port splitters and lots of ONTs, covering a
mix of GPON, XGPON and XGSPON, plus PON power meters and
PON analysers.
There will be an Internet connection to the system, so they can test all ONTs have internet. Impressive, Ian, well done. Contact Ian Gordon Fudge of FiberDK for more information on the course. CommScope Opens Real-World Fiber Network Training CenterLocated at the company’s Catawba, NC facility, the Fiber Architecture Solutions Technology Track is a complete working fiber-to-the-home network. CommScope recently opened the CommScope Fiber Architecture Solutions Network (FAST) Track, a real-world network environment where service providers can experience live fiber architectures in action. The facility, located in Catawba, NC, is a complete working fiber-to-the-home network that doubles as a training ground and innovation hub. Visitors can work directly with CommScope experts to gain practical insights into installation techniques, product interoperability, and network optimization. Read more in CI&M. Biggest Fiber Conference Is In LA This March The world's largest fiber conference OFC comes to Los Angeles March 15-19 this year. OFC with a large conference program and exhibition. OFC has been the fiber optic conference and exhibition to attend since 1975. For more information and registration go here. Quote Of The
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TechnicalFiber optic technology, standards, equipment, installation, etc.
Ask Lennie Lightwave, the FOA AI that answers your questions on fiber optics The FOA Update Page covers the new technology and applications we covered in this newsletter recently. Now you can review all that new tech at once.
Cross Reference To FOA Technical Reference Materials The FOA has almost 1,000 pages of technical information on the FOA Guide,
100+ videos and two dozen online courses at Fiber U, all this can make
it difficult to find the right information. Cross Reference To FOA Tech Materials We have also rearranged the 100+ FOA videos in similar categories on the Contents Page of the Online Guide, making the videos, especially the lectures, much it much easier to find a video on a particular topic. FOA Videos Guide.
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Technology Improves The CleaverThe Fujikura CT60 Cleaver has many new features to enhance splicer productivity. The CT60 Cleaver is a companion to the new Fujikura 100S Core Fusion Splicer.  The Fujikura CT60 Fiber Cleaver is engineered for precision and durability, offering motorized blade rotation and Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration with compatible Fujikura splicers. Designed to support both single, dual and ribbon fibers, it delivers consistent cleave quality with minimal maintenance and an impressive blade life.
For more information, see the AFL page eon the new CT60. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Number |
TIA-598 Color |
IEC 60304 and |
S12 |
FIN 2012 |
Type E |
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1 |
blue |
red |
red |
blue |
red |
|
2 |
orange |
green |
blue |
white |
blue |
|
3 |
green |
blue |
white |
yellow |
white |
|
4 |
brown |
yellow |
green |
green |
green |
|
5 |
slate |
white |
yellow |
grey |
yellow |
|
6 |
white |
grey |
grey |
orange |
grey |
|
7 |
red |
brown |
brown |
brown |
brown |
|
8 |
black |
violet |
black |
turquoise |
black |
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9 |
yellow |
turquoise |
violet |
black |
orange |
|
10 |
violet |
black |
orange |
violet |
violet |
|
11 |
rose |
orange |
turquoise |
pink |
pink |
|
12 |
aqua |
pink |
pink |
red |
turquoise |
Read more about color code standards from Vladimir Grozdanovic here.
Vladimir Grozdanovic is a graduate electrical engineer for telecommunications with
more than 10 years of experience in access networks (HFC and FTTH) in large cable
operators in Serbia (SBB and Jotel).
There is also more on color codes for other fiber optic components in the FOA Guide.
A "Dust Cap" That Removes Dust
Clearfield has introduced a "dust cap" for fiber optic connectors that can actually remove dust. The dust cap has a sealed dry fiber cleaner inside the cap. To use, remove the cap, peel off the seal and touch the end of the connector. It is said to be about 95% effective in cleaning the connector. See the Clearfield video on how it works here.
and on the subject of cleaning...
How to Clean Fiber End Faces Like a Pro
Sticklers shows the options available in fiber optic cleaning tools and gives hints on how to use them properly.
How Long Do Fiber Optic Cables Last?
That's a question FOA was asked recently. Read our reply in the Q&A section.TIA Guide To Networks
TIA has a guide to many standard networks like Ethernet and the specs for their use on numerous standard cabling systems. Want to know how far Ethernet 100GBASE-LR4 can go (30 km) or how much link attenuation is OK (6.3 dB), this publication will tell you.Download your copy from TIA here.
Changes in TIA Nomenclature - A Return To Things We Know
TIA is returning to the traditional
telecommunications terminology we all know and abandoning the new
generic terminology adopted in 2011 completely. One of our contacts on the committee provided us
with a table showing the generic terminology that is being abandoned and
the telecommunications terminology TIA is returning to.
TIA Project For >100 Meter Copper Cabling
TIA 568 structured cabling standards specifies a 100 meter channel
length for structured cabling using UTP cable. Recognizing that some
applications may exceed this 100 meter distance, the TIA TR-42.7 Copper Cabling Systems Subcommittee is
currently developing TSB-5073, tentatively entitled, “Guidelines for
supporting Extended Distance over 4-pair Balanced Twisted-Pair Cabling.” You can download a copy of the TIA white paper discussing the project here."Call Before You Dig" Video
NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association today announced the release of a new video, “811- Call Before You Dig,” as part of its efforts to promote safety awareness around underground utilities and the critical importance of making 811 calls prior to digging.
Watch the video on YouTube,
AFL Video Covers 16 Fiber Splicing
Watch AFL's latest webinar on the tools, techniques, and real-world challenges of hyperscale fiber installation. This video covers hyperscale data center growth, splicing i16 fiber cables, and best practices for ribbon fiber prep and cleaning. Gain valuable insights on using the Fujikura 90R, industry ribbon structures, and achieving optimal splice results.
New VIAVI Fiber Testing Pocket Guide – Built for Techs in the Field
Designed with field techs in mind, this compact guide from VIAVI is packed with essential fiber testing tips, quick-reference checklists, and step-by-step insights that cover every stage of the network lifecycle. It’s built to fit right in your pocket or tool bag, so the info you need is always within reach.
Request your free VIAVI Fiber Testing guide now.
Tech Notes And Articles From FOA's Worldwide Network Of Advisors
FOA has a worldwide network of technical advisors who help us develop our knowledge base. This month we have contributions fro several regular contributors, Eric Pearson, a founder of FOA, and Vladimir Grozdanovic in Serbia. We provide an abstract here and a link to read the entire article which will be added to the FOA Online Guide.Ensuring Reliability By Proper Fiber Optic Installation
The goals of a fiber
optic installation should not be solely based on achieving the lowest
initial cost. Should lowest cost result in reduced reliability, lowest
initial cost may result in significantly increased lifecycle cost.
Eric Pearson does it all, educator, writer,
consultant, with a resume' going back to the beginning of fiber optics.
Here's advice from Eric on the way to ensure the long term reliability
of a fiber optic cable plant by proper installation.
Testing that Demonstrates, or Not, High Reliability
Interpreting Test Results (New November 2025)
3D Inspection and Precision Cleaning
Field Service and Production Line Considerations When Precision Cleaning and Inspecting Fiber Optic Surfaces by Ed Forrest. Ed has decades of experience in developing cleaning solutions for fiber optic connectors.Aerial Cable Plant Workmanship
Read the recently updated FOA Guide sections Aerial Cable Installation and Aerial Cable Plant Workmanship. and see FOA Guidelines for Aerial Cable Installation.Is It Just The OTDR Or Is Singlemode Loss Really Directional?
Read the explanation of OTDR directional differences in the FOA Guide page on OTDRs.A Quiet But Important Change In The Fiber Optic Cable You Buy
With so many cable designs today, like microcables or high fiber count cables, requiring bend-insensitive fibers, would it make sense to make all or most singlemode fibers as bend insensitive fiber?Two manufacturers (Corning and OFS) told FOA the industry is moving towards a G.657.A specification in fiber, because the industry is moving towards smaller denser cables in the network & the bend resilience is a requirement for the cable design. So singlemode fiber is moving to being BI fiber, exactly what happened with 50/125 laser optimized fibers a decade ago. With most new fiber, compatibility is not an issue. But it is recommended to check with the cable manufacturer if you are not sure what fiber is being used in the cable you are purchasing.
Read the entire FOA report on compatibility of G.652 and G.657 singlemode fiber that includes this summary.
Jump to Worth Reading
Updated FOA OTDR Trainer
FOA has rewritten the FOA OTDR Trainer around Fiberizer. The Fiberizer PC
software was the version we used for creating the Trainer, but the basic
techniques apply to all versions of Fiberizer. FOA provides a folder of
sample traces in 3 categories - Parameter Traces, Sample Traces and PON
Traces - around which we build the trainer. If you set up Fiberizer,
you can complete the FOA OTDR Trainer lessons and then use the same
software to analyze other traces you may have, even from other brands of
OTDRs, as long as they are .sor files.
The FOA OTDR Trainer is ready to help you learn about OTDRs. Go to the OTDR Trainer page,
tech/ref/testing/OTDR/OTDRsimulator.html, choose your version of Fiberizer, download the FOA Traces and you are ready to go.
FOA wishes to thank VeEX for permission to use their Fiberizer® software in our OTDR trainer. And our compliments to them for making the ap available on multiple platforms that ensure anybody can use it.
FTTH Technical Papers
FOA contributor Vladimir Grozdanovic has created these technical papers based on his field experiences.
The Differences Between Conventional and PON Optical Power Meters
Splicing Optical Power Ground Wire OPGW
Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD)
Construction Methods For Microtrenching
Fiber Optic Ducts And Microducts
Fiber Optic Tools
Optical Distribution Frames (ODFs) And Patch Panels
Using Fiber Identifiers
Testing The FTTH PON Network (new)
Troubleshooting PON Installations.
Installation of FTTH Active Equipment in the FOA Guide.
Optical Splitters in the FOA Guide.
Examples of poor installation of FTTH in the aerial outside plant and in the customer premises.
Recycling Fiber Optic Cables? Contact LD4 Recycle
Learning Important Information From A Found Cable Scrap
While walking down the street near the FOA office, we found this cable
laying in the gutter. What a find! A short length of Corning Rocket
Ribbon 864 fiber cable left over from an installation by a contractor. 
We brought the cable back to our office with the intention of opening it up and creating a video about the construction of this modern high fiber count cable, but something got our attention first. The cable had a very long line of printing on it with lots of interesting and useful information. So before we started deconstructing it, we decided to photograph the printed information and interpret it. That turned out to be an important part of the information we learned from the cable. Then, as you will see below, we dissected the cable and learned even more.
Red more about what this cable marking tells you and what the cable looks like when you open it up to prepare for splicing.
Help On Color Codes (Including Copper Cabling And Fiber Optics)
Here are the links to download your own FOA Guides to Fiber Optic Color CodesFOA Guide to Fiber Optic Color Codes (print your own version) PDF
FOA Guide to Fiber Optic Color Codes (electronic version for your smartphone, tablet or PC) PDF
And Color Codes For UTP Cabling
FOA Guide to UTP Cabling Color Codes (print your own version) PDF
FOA Guide to UTP Copper Cabling Color Codes (electronic version) PDF
Warning For Techs Doing OSP Restoration
FOA received an inquiry about whether techs
working on restoring OSP links should be concerned about eye safety if
the link used fiber amplifiers. To answer this question, we had to do some research on fiber amplifiers.
The short answer is YES, you should be concerned. The long answer is
more technical and includes details that every OSP tech needs to know.See "Fiber Amps And Restoration" in the FOA Newsletter Archives..
Worth Reading
Each month we read hundreds of newsletters and online articles. These are the ones we think you will find "worth reading."
FOA has a web page with resources on fiber broadband networks and the IIJA/BEAD funding programs.
Index Of Articles Fiber Broadband Networks From The Fiber Optic Association - dozens of articles on fiber broadband over the last 4 years.
Cross Reference Guide to FOA Textbooks, Online Guide and Fiber U
FOA Timeline of Fiber Optic History and the new FOA video "The History Of Fiber Optics"
AT&T PR photo from the mid 1970sThe FOA's History
Stories From The Past FOA Newsletters
- Last Gasp For Multimode Fiber?
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Who Lost Lucent? The Decline of America's Telecom Industry.
- How Many Fibers? Optimal cable Size.
- Women Installers In Alaska. .
- Building Rural FTTH - Learning From The History Of Rural Electrification.
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Warning For Techs Doing Restoration (Fiber Amplification).
- The Future Of Work Is Skills - So Stop Worrying About Degrees - The reality is the future of work is about skills, not just degrees. (FOA Newsletter Feb 2020)
Recent articles from The FOA Newsletter
Fake OTDR Traces Submitted For Testing Documentation January 2023 Tech
Using OTDRs To Test Transoceanic Cables And PONs February 2023
POF - the Other Fiber March 2023
What Do Employers Expect From A Fiber Optic Tech? April 2023
Are Standards Ignoring The OSP? May 2023
FOA Has Proven Results In Fiber Optic Workforce Development June 2023
BEAD Funding For States Announced And Analyzed July 2023
Wisdom From The Street (Analyzing the printing on a fiber optic cable) July 2023
Focus On Disasters August 2023
FOA's Role In Education and Work Done By Fiber Techs September 2023
The Workforce: New US DoL Bureau of Labor Statistics Telecom Tech Category October 2023
How Many Telecom Techs Do We Need and How Big Is The Fiber Optic Market November 2023
Guidelines For Fiber Optic Project Planners December 2023
2023 Year In Review. Kentucky Shows The Value Of Fiber January 2024.
What is Broadband? History of the Cable Modem February 2024
It's Just Economics. Things you need to know. March 2024.
Fiber To The Shore - Undersea cables along the coast April, 2024.
The Future Of The Fiber Tech May 2024.
Worth Reading (And Watching Or Listening)
Listen and learn about AI and data centers at Marketplace, January 26-30, 2026. Wherever you get your podcasts.
Meet the Municipal Networks that Launched in 2025 - ILSR
New Starlink Map Highlights Which Areas in the US Face Network
Congestion. PC Magazine A new map from SpaceX promoting Starlink in the
US also indicates where the satellite internet service is facing
congestion due to an excessive number of users.
These prophets of economic doom are worried about another collapse. Washington Post. The
current investment boom is triggering déjà vu for some economists and
traders who successfully predicted past economic crashes.
ISE Magazine: Opportunity Cost - FOA President Jim Hayes
examines how BEAD’s slow rollout, high costs, and fiber-first design
create hidden opportunity costs for providers, communities, and the
nation’s broadband future.
Useful Articles And Links
Pre-Excavation Safety Checklist (PDF) - Excavation Safety Alliance - essential steps before breaking ground for underground construction.
CABL® (cabl.com) serves the business needs of the Broadband industry (including traditional cable TV, fiber, telecom and satellite providers) with employment listings, classified ads, discussion forums, and more. A contractor told us it's where they find lots of opportunities for subcontracting.ESRI has created an ebook on GIS location technology for telecom. Use the link to download the book.
Google Video On Their Undersea Cables YouTube Slick but interesting video on how undersea cables are designed, built and used.
Worth Reading - Magazines, Websites and Newsletters
CABL® (cabl.com) serves
the business needs of the Broadband industry (including traditional
cable TV, fiber, telecom and satellite providers) with employment
listings, classified ads, discussion forums, and more. A contractor told us it's where they find lots of opportunities for subcontracting.
The Institute for Local
Self-Reliance weekly newsletter has
lots of interesting articles and links.
Next Century Cities Newsletter
- News from cities around the US
including Detroit and New York plus small
RTI Telecom Magazine from Brazil, in Portuguese. A revista RTI do mês de abril já está disponível online e recomendo a leitura de alguns artigos:
Worth Reading - History & Technical
FOA was founded in 1995 - FOA's History
As part of celebrating 3 decades serving the fiber optic industry as its primary source of technical information and independent certifying body, FOA thought it appropriate to create a short history of the organization and how it has developed to help the fiber optic industry. We also wanted to recognize the contributions many people have made to the organization over the years that made FOA what it is today.The FOA history is on the FOA website where you can read it or link to it.
1983 Video of AT&T's First Test Of A Submarine Cable System From the AT&T Tech Channel archives (worth exploring!)
Richard Epworth's Optical Fiber History from his work at STL from 1966 with Charles Kao.
50th Anniversary of The Development of Low Loss Fibers A history of the development of low loss fiber, a fascinating story by Jeff Hecht on the OSA (Optical Society of America) website.
The First Transcontinental Telephone Line began operation on July 29th in 1915 - 3400 miles between New York and San Francisco - required over 100,000 telephone poles! Wonders of World Engineering
"Who Lost Lucent?: The Decline of America's Telecom Equipment Industry"
This is a MUST READ for managers in telecom or any industry!
Communications Systems Grounding Rules: Article 800 provides specific requirements by Michael Johnston, NECA Executive Director of Standards and Safety in EC Magazine
How To Build Rural Broadband, Learning From History
In the August 2021 FOA Newsletter, we published a lengthy article on rural broadband and compared it to rural electrification in America in the last century. Much of the comparison was based on an article written in 1940 by a USDA economist, Robert Beall, called "Rural Electrification." If you are interested in or involved in rural broadband, we recommend you read the article "How To Build Rural Broadband, Learning From History" in the August 2021 FOA Newsletter and read the Beall article also.
Recycling Fiber Optic Cable - Contact:
Steve Maginnis
LD4Recycle/ CommuniCom Recycling
(Visit website)
sm@LD4Recycle.com
803.371.5436
Sumitomo's Ribbon Splicing Guide - download from one of the leaders in splicing.
OFS also has an excellent website and blog of tech articles worth browsing.
IEC 60050 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary - An extensive dictionary for fiber optics in English and French. Highly technical - this is one definition: "mode - one solution of Maxwell's equations, representing an electromagnetic field in a certain space domain and belonging to a family of independent solutions defined by specified boundary conditions"
Restoration: If you are interested in restoration -
aren't we all? - you should also read this
article in dpPro magazine by FOA President Jim
Hayes: Damage Protection Requires
Looking Overhead As Well As Underground
- dpPRO Magazine - about the problems with
aerial cables. His previous article for the
magazine was New Techniques for Fiber
Optic Installation.
Fiber Trivia From Corning.
VIAVI Books On Fiber Optic Testing (2 volumes)
Besides the FOA reference materials, two JDSU/VIAVI textbooks, Reference Guide to Fiber Optic Testing, Volumes 1 and 2, were used as references for some of the FOA courses and are recommended for instructors and students. The books are available from VIAVI as eBooks and the everyone should download them and recommend them to others.Download yours now. Volume 1. Volume 2. Viavi Books
Ciena's Submarine Cable Handbooks (4 to download)
How OFS Makes Fiber
Interesting YouTube video on how fiber is made. Perhaps a little too much "show biz" but fascinating. If you have ever seen fiber manufacture, look at this video. You will be amazed at how big preforms have become!
The True Cost of Telco Damages (what backhoe fade or target practice can cost)
Q&A
When readers ask us questions, we genrally refer them to FOA
resources where they can find the answer to their question and many
more. We first send them to the FOA Guide
which is the table of contents for the FOA technical resources. There
they can find pages indexed by topic and a search engine for the FOA
website. It also links them to FOA videos and courses on our free online learning site Fiber U.
The FOA Fiber FAQs Page (FAQs = frequently asked questions) gathers up questions readers have asked us (which first ran in this newsletter) and adds tech topics of general interest.
Good Question!
Tech
Questions/Comments From FOA Newsletter Readers
More Q&A in the FOA FAQs Page
How Long Do Fiber Optic Cables Last?
Q: I work at a large industrial facility with several
buildings connected by fiber optic cables. The fiber cables run through
underground conduits between the buildings. Many of the fiber cables
were installed 20 to 25 years ago. Is there any general industry
guidance on when cables such as ours should be replaced solely based on
the age of the cable?
A: The question you ask is one often asked. Usually it
refers to the outside plant cables that have been used for many years -
some now approaching 40 years like the optical power ground wire (OPGW)
used by electrical utilities and some telco cables installed in the same
era. Cable manufacturers are not very specific about cable lifetimes,
but the standard today is cables are designed to last 40 years or more.
Cable installed 20-25 years ago should be still serviceable for years to
come. Some cables may suffer from moisture migration which can cause
attenuation increases and fiber brittleness. Brittleness is generally
not a problem is the fibers are undisturbed but it is a good reason to
not disturb them. Most cable plants are not replaced unless they suffer
damage - weather and wildfires are a big problem for serial cables,
flooding and freezing for underground cables - or the owner is ready to
upgrade communications systems and needs more modern, higher performance
fibers.
Our advice would be to not disturb the cables you have if systems are
working properly. If you are in a “nonstop” environment that would be
badly harmed by loss of communications and you want to have a backup,
you could hedge your bets and install ducts for replacement. cables. If
there is space in the ducts, you can install microducts or fabric ducts
in the same conduits and install backup cables. You may read advice that
says cables need maintenance like cleaning connectors and testing
periodically. That’s bad advice; it’s more likely to damage the cables.
Our advice on cables is install them, lock them up and don’t worry. But
have a restoration plan. Have documentation on the cables, spares and be
prepared to repair or replace them quickly. See
https://foa.org/tech/ref/restoration/rest.html
Hybrid cable For Aerial Installation
Q: Is there a hybrid cable (fiber + conductors (2 or 4)) that can be aerial lashed?
A: Practically any outside plant cable can be installed
aerial if it is within the weight limits of the messenger being used.
Cables with fiber and copper conductors are used for connections to
remote electronics or cameras.
Gloves for Splicing?
Q: What’s the FOA’s (or your personal) stance on wearing gloves whilst splicing?
A: Wearing gloves may recommended for
preparing metallic armored cables because of the danger of cuts. For
regular cables, gloves may be recommended for those who use knives to
open cables, a practice still used. However for splicing fibers where
some recommend them to prevent sticking yourself with fibers, it hampers
fiber handling and slows the work down. We do not recommend gloves
except for prepping certain types of cables.
Are Splices Too Close Together A Problem?
Q: When installing fiber in an plant. Is there a minimum distance that two splices should be apart? ;
A: The recommendation in the past was to bot have splices close
together since slight reflectances at the splices could cause an
interference problem with laser systems. The recommendation was to keep
splices 30-100m apart. IT was especially noted if you had to splice in a
section of cable to repair a cable break. However we have not heard
this in recent history, perhaps because fusion splices are so good. We
asked a number of FOA's technical advisors for their opinions. Their
feedback is the problem of reflectance causing problems at closely
spaced splices seems to have disappeared. It’s a matter of better
splicing machines and more consistent fibers, and also a matter of
lasers being engineered to work better in links.
Copper Tech Wants To Learn Fiber Optics
Q: I am originally from copper installations and faults
finding. I would like to get involved in Optic fibre faults and
finding, how do I go if there is a possible training it will be highly
appreciated,
A: Just learn about fiber, especially fiber testing and troubleshooting. Fiber U has courses you can take for free.
OSP Installation Standards
Q: I'm looking for standards for fiber optic OSP installation.
A: The whole issue of OSP standards has been one FOA been
trying to get standards bodies interested in for years with little
success, probably because it is an enormous project. Right now there are
two documents that address OSP cable plant:
ITU-T Technical Report, TR-OFCS Optical fibres, cables and systems, (3 July 2015)
As you can see, the ITU document is almost 10 years old and a lot has changed in that time.
The Other is the Telcordia Blue Book - Expensive but thorough
Telcordia Blue Book - Manual of Construction Procedures
Document Number SR-1421, Issue Number 07, Issue Date Jan 2023
Is The FOA CFOT® A License?
Q: Can you use a CFOT certification to install fiber and charge for it? Or do you need other licenses as well? ;
A: FOA Certification is considered evidence of competence and
accepted worldwide by many companies, groups, etc. Licenses are a legal
credential required by local authorities to conduct business for
anything from a barber to a truck triver to contractors doing fiber or
other work. Most locales require a license as a contractor which may
require a fiber specialty. You need to investigate this with your local
authorities.
Updating FOA Courses And Reference Materials
Q: How often are FOA courses updated? And when they get updated, what happens to those who would have done a previous version?
A: The FOA certifications are updated as needed to stay current with
technology and applications. Updates are incremental and we do not
require current certification holders to retake courses or exams.
Past questions can be found on the FAQs page.
Fiber Optic Color Codes Reference Chart
Q: Has anyone made a fiber optic pocket reference chart that has cable color orders, frequencies, or other commonly used info on it?
A: The FOA has a page on its Online Guide that covers color codes (https://foa.org/tech/ColCodes.htm). It is the most popular page in the FOA Guide! It works great with a smartphone.
More Q&A in the FOA FAQs Page
The word on the "Dig Once" program is getting out - FOA is getting calls from cities asking us for information and advice. Here are some links:
The DoT page on the administration’s Executive Order: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/otps/exeorder.cfm
And the one to download and hand out:
A “How To” Guide from The Global Connect Initiative: https://share.america.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/6.-GCI-Dig-Once.pdf
Training / FiberU
News and resources to help you learn more and stay updated.
Learn about the fiber optic/ broadband workforce
Find a listing of all the FOA-Approved schools here.
Free online self-study programs on many fiber optics and cabling topics are available at Fiber U, FOA's online web-based training website.
Free online training at Fiber U
The FOA has >100 videos on
What Is An FOA Credential?
As FOA celebrates our 100,000th CFOT® certified technician, introduces the "FOA Badge In Fiber Optics" for others working in the field and adds new courses at Fiber U which offer a "Certificate of Completion," it's a good time to explain the differences between them. FOA has created a page to explain the differences in certifications, certificates and badges.All FOA Certification Credentials Are Now Online
All FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technicians now have their certification credentials online.
if your FOA certification has not expired you should have been notified you have an online credential. If you did not get notification it may be because FOA did not have a valid email for you. Contact FOA to inquire about your certification credential.
More about FOA's network of approved training organizations.
The Types of Work Done By Fiber Techs And How It Affects Training
What is a fiber optic technician? What kinds of work do they do? Those topics were the center of FOA discussions with the US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics that led to the new job category of "Telecommunications Technician" on the BLS website. The focus of this job category is primarily the installation and operation of the fiber optic cable plant, but one should not forget the cable plant must be designed also as part of a more extensive communications network.
In our discussion with the BLS analysts, we pointed out the various stages of a fiber optic communications network project and how techs with various knowledge and skill sets are needed and involved in every step. This web page on the fiber optic workforce describes how FOA defines these stages of a project and the skills of the techs needed. This is not unique to FOA; it's what has been traditional at telecom companies forever.
FOA Schools
FOA's roster of approved schools continues to grow as more organizations recognize our expertise in workforce development and our comprehensive support for getting new schools started. FOA has over 25 years experience and over 100,000 certified fiber techs (with ~140,000 certifications). As a non-profit organization founded by the industry specifically to develop a competent workforce, FOA provides the consultation, curriculum and contacts to get schools started as a free service to new schools.Need A Fiber Optic Course Onsite? Invite an FOA School To Come To You
Complete listing of FOA Approved Training Organizations
Fiber U "Basic Fiber Optics" Online Self-Study Course Now In Spanish
Curso Básico de Fibra Óptica de Fibra U en español.
Here is the new Fiber U "Fiber Optic Safety" self-study program. Take the course and get your certificate of completion.
Fiber U MiniCourses: Got An Hour Or Less? Learn Something New About Fiber Optics.
All these free courses and many more are available at Fiber U.
What Fiber Techs
Don't Know -
These are some of the topics that
we have noticed are answered incorrectly more often
in FOA and Fiber U tests.Most of the questions missed are on testing.
1. OTDRs - particularly what information is in the OTDR trace.
2. The difference between dB and dBm
3. Loss budgets - both the concepts and doing the math
4. Insertion loss testing - single-ended or double ended for testing patchcords or cable plants, how to set 0dB references
5. Units of measure - fiber is measured in microns, wavelengths in nanometers, etc.
At FOA, we're working to add Fiber U MiniCourses on these topics and working with our schools to emphasize these topics in their classes.
If you are going to be taking a FOA certification course or test in the near future, these topics should be on your final exam study list.
What We Learn From Hands On Labs
We learn about students performance in hands-on labs from the feedback of our instructors and our own experiences too. One big problem is the use of hand tools. Growing up today, you learn how to use keyboards, mouses and touch screens, but decades ago, you also learned how to use basic hand tools. This is big enough of a problem that we're considering adding some video lessons on basic hand tools to prepare students for cable prep, termination and splicing that require the use of hand tools.
FOA offers free online self-study programs at Fiber U. Many users are preparing for FOA certification programs - taking courses at our schools or using the Direct Certification program. Some of our schools are requiring Fiber U programs as prerequisites for their classroom courses so they can spend more time on hands-on activities.
Publications / Resources
Cross Reference To FOA Tech Materials
FOA has so much technical reference material, we created a cross reference guide to the textbooks,
Online Guide and Fiber U courses, all the FOA technical information.
Besides the textbooks, online Guide and Fiber U, each section of the
Guide also includes links to the 100+ FOA videos available.
Cross Reference Guide to Textbooks, Online Guide and Fiber U
FOA Guide To Fiber Optic Workforce Development
To help those new to fiber optic workforce development, FOA has created a web page we call "Fiber Optic Workforce Development."
In this page, we share what we have learned about the fiber optic
workforce, who they are and how they learn their trade. We discuss what
defines a fiber optic tech and how they should be certified.
Read the FOA Guide To Fiber Optic Workforce Development online.
Project Management Added To New Edition Of FOA Design Book And Fiber U Course
FOA
has published a new edition of its textbook on fiber optic network
design, an expanded version with new material covering project
management. Fiber optic network design and network management are
closely related topics, both highly important in the success of a fiber
project. The new book is available as a paperback or Kindle book. You can buy it from Amazon or local booksellers worldwide. (ISBN: 9798262274611)
The Fiber U Design self study program has also been updated for project management.
New Edition of FOA's Basic Fiber Optics Textbook
It has been 5 years since we have updated the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics,
so it is certainly time for an update. The latest version is different
enough we call it a new edition. Many of the updates are for new
technologies which are reshaping the fiber optic industry like coherent
transmission, BI fibers, etc. We've also added a section on the fiber
optic workforce which has much relevance because this book is used to
train those entering the workforce.We've also worked on making the book more readable, adding formatting that eases reading and a new comprehensive index.
The new edition of the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics is available from Amazon and booksellers worldwide.
Best Seller: Fiber Broadband (Paperback and Kindle)
This book is not the typical FOA technical textbook - it is written for
anyone who wants to understand fiber broadband or fiber optics or the
Internet. It's also aimed at STEM teachers who want to include
communications technology in their classes. This book will try to
explain not only how fiber broadband works, but how
it was developed. It is intended to be an introduction to
communications technology
appropriate for a communications course at almost any level (junior
high, high school or
college,) for managers involved with broadband projects, or for anyone
who just wonders how all this stuff works.The Fiber Optic Association Guide To Fiber Broadband
Paperback ($12.95) and Kindle ($9.95) versions available from Amazon or most booksellers. Kindle version is in color!
Translations of FOA Textbooks
FOA is a very international organization and it works hard to
accommodate the language needs of everyone. We have been translating our
books and website into the languages most requested, and this month, we
add two more textbook translations. We also want to thank Jerry Morla,
FOA CFOS/I instructor and Director who has been doing the recent
translations into Spanish, his native language.
Here is a listing of all the FOA textbook Translations
Spanish Editions:
Guía de Referencia de la Asociación de Fibra Óptica (FOA) Sobre Fibra Óptica: Guía de estudio para la certificación de la FOA Amazon
La Referencia de Cableado para Predios de la FOA: Guía para Certificación de la FOA Amazon
La Asociación de Fibra Óptica Manual de Fibra Hasta el Hogar : Para Planificadores, Gestores, Diseñadores, Instaladores y Operadores De FTTH Amazon
Guía de Referencia de la FOA sobre Diseño de la red de fibra óptica: Guía de Estudio para la Certificación de la FOA Amazon
And the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics:
French Edition: Le Guide de référence de la FOA pour la fibre optique et et guide d'étude pour la certification FOA: Guide d'étude pour la certification FOA Amazon
Portuguese Edition: Guia de Referência sobre Fibra Óptica da FOA : Guia de Estudo para a Certificação da FOA Amazon
The subject matter of these books is also translated in the FOA Guide online.
FOA Video
Lectures On YouTube
Did
you know YouTube will close caption videos in many
languages?
Sign in with Google to get translations for closed captioning. Click on the settings icon (red arrow.) Choose "Subtitles". English is the default language. Click on the arrow after "English (auto-generated) >". In the new window click on "Auto-translate" and choose the language you want.
FOA Loss Budget
Calculator On A Web Page 5/2020
FOA has written many articles about loss budgets, something everyone involved in fiber optics needs to know and needs to know how to calculate. We recently discovered how to get a spreadsheet ported to a Web page, so we created this web page that calculates loss budgets. We have an iOS loss budget app, but with this web page, you can calculate loss budgets from any device, smart phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer that has web browsing capability.
Bookmark this page (especially on your smartphone): FOA Loss Budget Calculator Online
We are continually updating the Online Reference Guide to keep up with changes in the industry and adding lots of new pages of technical information. When you go to the FOA Guide Table of Contents to see the latest updates - look for
.FOA Books
Fiber Optics (4 languages), Premises Cabling, OSP fiber and construction, Network Design, Testing, FTTH Handbook and our latest - FIber Broadband
-
The FOA has it's own
reference books for everyone working in fiber
optics - contractors, installers and end users as
well as for use as textbooks in classes at
educational institutions. They are available as
printed books or Kindle at much lower prices than
most textbooks since we self-publish and sell
online, cutting out the middlemen. Click on the
book images for more information. The Reference
Guide To Fiber Optics is also available in
Spanish, French and Portuguese. The Design book is available in English
and Spanish.
Click on any book for more information about it.
FOA has reprinted
"Lennie Lightwave's Guide" on its 25th anniversary in a special print edition.
Lennie and Uncle Ted's Guides are online.
Click on any of the books to learn more.
- Fiber Optic Safety Poster to download and print
Resources For Teachers In K-12 And Technical Schools
Teachers in all grades can introduce their students to fiber optic technology with some simple demonstrations. FOA has created a page for STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) teachers with materials appropriate to their classes. Fiber Optic Resources For Teachers.
Safety
On Safety
New Fiber U Course: Fiber Optic Safety
Safety
must be the first concern of everyone involved in a fiber optic
project, including those planning, designing, managing or supervising
and of course those doing the installation.FOA is often asked about safety for fiber optics. Some inquiries ask where it's covered in the FOA Online Guide or textbooks or if we have a course on safety at Fiber U. Almost all Fiber U Courses have lessons covering safety, because safety is important in every aspect of a fiber optic project.
This new Fiber U course will focus on safety alone. There are two lessons in this course, fiber optic construction and fiber optic installation. The dividing line between the two courses is the installation of the fiber optic cables. Construction leads up to and/or is completed when the cables are installed. Installation begins when the fiber tech installs the cable, then completes the splicing, termination testing and documentation. The overlap between the two is the installation of the cables where both construction personnel and fiber optic techs are involved.
Here is the new Fiber U "Fiber Optic Safety" self-study program. Take the course and get your certificate of completion.
Enhance your safety with the FOA Safety Vest.
FOA considers safety an integral part of all our programs, curriculum materials and technical materials. We start all our textbooks and their online versions with a section on safety in the first chapter, like this: Before we get started - Safety First!
There are pages on the FOA Guide on Safety procedures Including Eye Safety and. Digging Safely
And a YouTube lecture: FOA Lecture 2: Safety When Working With Fiber Optics
In our OSP Construction Section, these pages cover many safety issues including those related to the construction of the cable plant: Project Preparation And Guidelines, Underground Cable Construction, Underground Cable Installation and Aerial Cable Installation.
There is even a safety poster for the fiber activities: PDF Safety Rules For Fiber Optics
Other Safety Resources:
There is a toll-free
"call before you dig" number in the USA: Dial 811. See www.call811.com
for more information in the US. Here is their map of resources by states.
In Canada, it's "Click Before You Dig.com" They also have a page of resources by US states and Canadian provinces.
The Common Ground
Alliance has an excellent "Best Practices Guide"
online
- The US Department of Transportation has a website called "National Pipeline Mapping System" that allows one to search for buried pipelines.
Why We Warn You To Be Careful About Fiber Shards
Photo courtesy Brian Brandstetter, Mississauga Training Consultantcy
About The FOA
About The FOA
- Contact
Us: http://www.foa.org
or email <info@foa.org>
FOA has a company page and four LinkedIn Groups
FOA - official company page on LinkedIn
FOA - covers FOA, technology and jobs in the fiber optic marketplace
FOA Fiber Optic Training - open to all, covers fiber optic technology and training topics
Grupo de La Asociación de Fibra Óptica FOA (Español)
The FOA is a, international non-profit educational association chartered to promote professionalism in fiber optics through education, certification and standards.
Founded in 1995 by a dozen prominent fiber optics trainers and leaders from education, industry and government as a professional society for fiber optics and a source of independent certification, the FOA has grown to now being involved in numerous activities to educate the world about fiber optics and certify the workers who design, build and operate the world's fiber optic networks.
Read More
FOA History
FOA Timeline of Fiber Optics
Contact Us
The Fiber Optic Association Inc.
https://www.foa.org or email <info@foa.org>
Use the Contact Form
Want to know more about fiber optics? Study for FOA certifications? Free Self-Study Programs are on "Fiber U®." Looking for specific information? Here's the largest technical reference on the web: The FOA Online Fiber Optic Reference Guide.
Free online self-study programs on many fiber optics and cabling topics are available at Fiber U, FOA's online web-based training website.
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Contact Us
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Fiber Optic Timeline
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