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The
FOA is an international non-profit educational
association that is chartered to promote
professionalism in fiber optics through education,
certification and standards. FOA is also an
internationally recognized certifying body. Read
more.
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the FOA website
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GDPR)
August
2021
The
August FOA Newsletter begins with a feature article on
rural broadband, a topic of much concern everywhere. To
get a historic viewpoint, we looked at the electrification
of rural America and point out what we can learn from
history.
In the technical section, we tell you about new R&D
into passive optical networks. Combine the PON
architecture with coherent communications from long haul
and what do you get: 100G PONs that can split to serve 512
users and/or reach 80 km.
Features
How To
Build Rural Broadband
New FOA Video - Fiber At Electrical Utilities
Cost of Rural FTTH
Wind damage To Aerial Cables
Dangerous Fiber
FOA School Network Grows
FOA FTTH Handbook a "Best Seller"
Updates - FOA Guide and Videos
Job Opportunity
FOA OJT Program
Plus sections on:
News: Google Fiber drops TV service, Mapping
Broadband in the US, Can Facebook Disrupt Wireless?
Technical: 100G PONs, Why Isn't My FTTH
Faster? Properly Managed Fiber Pedestal, Reusing Older
Equipment
Worth Reading: Review of the month's online
articles of interest
Q&A:
Reader's questions
Training/FiberU:
New schools, videos and Fiber U courses
And Much More
New
FOA FTTH Handbook Plus FTTH Updates in FOA Guide and Fiber
U
FOA
has been busy updating our FTTH technical and learning
materials and even published the materials in a new book.
Great timing for all the FTTH projects we see right now!
New
FTTH Handbook
For
Planners, Managers, Designers, Installers And Operators Of
FTTH - Fiber To The Home - Networks
FOA's FTTH
Handbook: We've gathered all our information
on FTTH from the FOA Guide and past issues of the FOA
Newsletter and edited it into a 112 page "FTTH Handbook."
We even added a section on planning and managing FTTH
Projects. The
Fiber Optic Association Fiber To The Home Handbook
is available from Amazon in print and Kindle
editions.
FOA
Guide: Added a section on FTTH Network Design, updated
sections on Architecture and PONs (including 10G)
FOA's
YouTube Channel: Added 4 new FTTH videos on Network
Architecture, PONs, Network Design and Installation/Test.
Fiber
U: Updated the free Fiber
U FTTx self-study course using all this new
material and added a lesson on FTTH Design. This uses the
new materials created for the FOA Guide and FOA YouTube
channel. (For a limited time you can take the Fiber U
Certificate of Completion test FREE! See
details here.)
If
you have already taken the Fiber
U FTTH self-study course, you may want to return
to it and take the new lesson on Designing FTTH
Networks.
As
a gift to the fiber optic community we have updated
the free Fiber U FTTH self-study course and made the
Certificate of Completion test FREE too! Yes, from now
until September 30, 2021, when you complete the Fiber
U FTTH course, you can get your Fiber U FTTH
Certificate of Completion FREE.
To
explain How OJT works and FOA's OJT-To-Cert program, FOA
created a short 10 minute YouTube video that explains what
OJT is, who uses it and how to use Fiber U to organize and
enhance OJT for new employees and experienced workers too.
Lecture
62: On The Job Training For Fiber Optics Using Fiber U
OJT is
the well-known term for "on-the-job training." Workers learn
on the job under the supervision of experienced co-workers.
FOA has been asked many times how its resources like Fiber U
can be used to help employers and their employee trainees
involved in OJT. The interest in OJT has been so high,
especially during the difficult year in 2020, that FOA has
worked with employers and employees to formalize an OJT
program and create training aids to help employers develop
qualified techs using OJT.
The
FOA
Fiber U “OJT-To-Cert” program includes
both fiber optics and premises cabling (copper, fiber &
wireless), so it covers techs working in both outside plant
and premises jobs.
The
FOA Fiber U OJT program combines online study at Fiber
U with OJT with mentoring by experienced co-workers
and their supervisor to help new employees
develop into FOA-certified technicians in only one
year. Upon completion of this
program, the trainee will be prepared to take the exam for
the FOA CFOT (Certified Fiber Optic Technician) and/or
CPCT (Certified Premises Cabling Technician), the most
widely recognized fiber optic and premises cabling
certifications in the industry.
Like
other FOA programs, the OJT-To-Cert program is free. The
FOA provides directions for use of the free Fiber U online
training programs and we provide a log for the trainee to
keep track of their progress. The only cost is the two
fiber U certificates of completion and the FOA
certification exam at the end of the program.
If
you and/or your company is interested in the FOA
Fiber U “OJT-To-Cert” program, pleae
contact FOA.
New
Fiber U MiniCourses
Got
An Hour? Learn Something New About Fiber Optics.
Online
learning has been growing even more popular during the
pandemic, and FOA's Fiber U free online courses have
certainly been popular. We've just introduced a new type of
short course, one you can finish in an hour or less, that
covers a specific topic. The topics were easy to pick; they
are ones we're asked about often.
The courses have two components, video lectures and
readings, that are complementary. As usual there is a
self-test to allow you to check your comprehension. As with
other Fiber U courses if you desire, you can take a short
test for a Fiber U Certificate of Completion that costs
only $10.
New
Fiber U MiniCourse - Color Codes
FOA
has created another Fiber
U MiniCourse, the Fiber
U Color Codes MiniCourse. This
course covers the color codes used in fiber optics. We
cover fiber color codes for numbering, cable jackets and
connectors used to identify fibers. After we finished,
we wondered "Why didn't we do this a long time ago!"
All these free courses and many more are
available at Fiber
U.
FOA
Guide "Basics Of Fiber Optics" Now Available Online in
Portuguese
FOA has
now translated the Basics of Fiber Optics in our Online
Guide into Portuguese, joining Spanish and
French translations. For those speaking Portuguese, we have
the technical information and for schools we also have
curriculum available.
Here
is the FOA
Guide in Portuguese,
Spanish and
French
translations.
Try
The FOA's New Online Loss Budget Calculator
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've created a online Loss Budget Calculator
that does the work for you. Just input your cable plant data
and it calculates the loss budget. It works on any device,
especially smartphones and tablets for field use and even
allows printing the results.
Bookmark
this page (especially on your smartphone): FOA
Loss Budget Calculator Online
SPECIAL
OFFER - Save 1/3 On Your Certification Renewal Cost
In the
near future, there will be a requirement for continuing
education to renew your FOA certifications. FOA is testing
an option for renewals where you take a short Fiber U online
self-study course with certificate of completion exam and
pay for renewal when taking the exam.
If you would like to help FOA test this option, you can save
1/3 the cost of your renewal. Go
here to take the Fiber U CFOT Renewal Course:
New
Sections In FOA Guide
The
FOA Guide Section
on FTTH is completely updated - lots of new material
including a "FTTH Design" section.
Have you seen the new FOA
Guide section for OSP Construction? Most CFOTs deal
with fiber after installation - splicing, terminating ans
testingyou, so this section tells what happens before
the CFOTs arrive. It's a great lesson for managers and
supervisors too!
A new page on Sources
For Fiber Optic Transmitters - LEDs And Lasers
There is a new page on coherent
communications too - how fiber goes farther and
faster.
Also new - FOA
Guide section on inspecting and cleaning connectors.
Fiber
U Offers Free Online Self-Study Programs, and "Fiber U
Certificate of Completion" For All FOA Certification
Courses.
New MiniCourses - Learn something useful in an hour or less.
New Fiber
U Basic Skills Labs - Updates on the Fiber
Optic Basic Skills Lab and new Copper
Premises Cabling Basic Skills Lab. Both fiber and
copper basic skills labs includes a DIY (do-it-yourself)
course where you can buy equipment inexpensively and learn
the skills at home.
There is a new free Fiber U course on OSP
Construction.
Read
more at Fiber
U.
For
Schools and Instructors
If
your organization is interested in becoming an FOA
Approved School, see New
School Requirements and Application Procedures and Requirements
For FOA Training Programs.
If
you are a current FOA Approved School, here is the School
Update/Renewal Form.
Classroom
Resources For STEM 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 STEM Teachers.
FOA
also has a new YouTube
Video on "Careers
in Fiber Optics" and a "Careers
In Fiber Optics" Website.
See below.
- Corporate
Members
- Search
for products and services offered by hundreds of FOA
corporate members worldwide. Corporate
members are listed on the FOA website in map
and list
form.
FOA
offers corporate memberships to companies involved in fiber
optics as manufacturers, contractors, installers, etc. FOA
Corporate Members get substantial discounts on
membership/certification renewals and direct
certifications. Other benefits include access to
training and direct certifications. Read
more.
FOA has a new YouTube
Video on "Careers
in Fiber Optics" and a "Careers
In Fiber Optics" Website.
Interested in exploring a career in fiber optics? FOA
has created a YouTube Video and a webpage that describes
what a fiber optic worker does, where they work and how to
get started. It's mainly aimed at high school students but
it's relevant to anyone interested in changing careers also.
Go here for the YouTube
Video on "Careers
in Fiber Optics" or the FOA
Careers In Fiber Optics webpage.
FOA
"Finding A Job"
Website
We get
many questions from CFOTs, students at FOA-Approved schools
and others contemplating getting into the fiber optic
business regarding jobs in fiber optics - and how to find
them - so we’ve created a new web page to share some
information we've gathered about jobs in our industry. The
information is designed to help you understand what jobs are
available in fiber optics, how to find them and apply for
them.
Looking For A Job In Fiber
Optics?
- Where
Are The Jobs In Fiber Optics? This
FOA YouTube Video talks about all the applications for
fiber optics, what the jobs involve and the
qualifications for the workers in the field.
If you are currently looking for a job in fiber optics,
here is the FOA's guide to
jobs web page. The
FOA Jobs
Web Page has been updated and a new page added on Using
your FOA Training/Certification to Find the Right Job
in Fiber Optics
If you
have job openings, let us post them on  .
Free From FOA: NECA/FOA 301 Fiber Optic Installation
Standard
Because of its importance to users, contractors and
installers of fiber optic networks, The FOA and NECA have
agreed to make the NECA/FOA
301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard available free
from FOA.
Standards usually cover components and systems and how to
test them, but rarely get into installation issues. This
standard is derived from FOA educational material put in
standards form and approved by ANSI as an American National
Standard. It's specifically written to be used in contracts
to define "installation in a neat and workmanlike
manner." Go to NECA/FOA
301 Fiber Optic Installation Standard to learn more
and download your free copy.
FOA Videos
- The
FOA has created a special FOA channel on YouTube, thefoainc,
where we've posted over 110 instructional videos and
lectures for everyone's use. We've got lectures on
premises cabling and fiber optics and hands-on
demonstrations about fiber optics and communications
cabling - yes, even "Cat 5"!
FOA channel on YouTube, thefoainc
FOA
on LinkedIn
FOA
- official company page on LinkedIn
FOA
- covers FOA, technology and jobs in the fiber optic
marketplace
FOA
Fiber Optic Training - open to everyone, covers fiber
optic technology and training topics
FOA
School Instructors - a closed group for instructors
and administrators at FOA-approved schools
FOA Reference Books (Printed or Kindle eBooks!)
Fiber
Optics (4 languages), Premises Cabling, OSP fiber and
construction, Network Design, Testing and FTTH
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 and French (print and online) and Portuguese
(online only.)
Click
on any book for more information about it.
- Getting Started Guides
These
two guides are simple introductions to the subjects. They
will explain the applications, jargon, components and
installation in a quick overview.
Lennie
Lightwave's Guide to Fiber Optics (online) and
available as PDF
download or a free
iBook on iTunes
- Uncle
Ted's Guide to Communications (Premises) Cabling
(online) and available as a PDF
download or a free
iBook on iTunes
Lennie
Lightwave's Guide - Printed Edition
FOA has
reprinted "Lennie
Lightwave's Guide" on its 25th anniversary in a
special print edition.
Many
of you have used the current online version of Lennie's
Guide on the FOA website. Now you can have a slick printed
version - real paper and colored pictures - you can hold in
your hand and read. Leave a copy on your desktop to impress
your friends, or on the table in your company's reception
area instead of out-of-date magazines. Give them to your
customers and employees to help them learn fiber optics. Use
it to prepare for FOA certifications.
You can get your own copies of Lennie
Lightwave's Guide at Amazon.com, only $9.95
each US$.
- Looking
For "Hands-On" Fiber Optic Training With FOA
Certification?
- You
can find a list of FOA approved schools that offer CFOT®
certification here on the list
of FOA approved schools.
-
-
- Certification
Renewal
- FOA
Certified persons must renew their CFOT®
or CFOS certifications when they expire. Please
make sure we have your current address. Download
the renewal form, or
renew online.
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