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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 for fiber optics. Read
more.
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November 2025
Is Hollow Core Fiber Becoming Mainstream?
Recent news about hollow core fiber (HCF)
indicates that it is becoming more widely accepted, not just by users
but by major fiber manufacturers who are adding it to their product
lines.In this month's FOA Newsletter we look at new uses for the
technology,and big manufacturers getting involved. FOA interviews
several manufacturers of HCF and tool and test equipment to help you
understand what is involved in installing this new fiber type.
In the News: TIA standards group has
returned to original structured cabling terminology based on telecom
and is working on cabling lengths of over 100 meters.
Tech: Some items that can help you become better and safer in your work.
Also in this month's Newsletter: Worth Reading has
links to many more news articles worth reading - including some AI warnings - and Q&A looks at OSP installation
standards.
Read about it in the FOA Newsletter.
Is Hollow Core Fiber Becoming Mainstream?
New FOA Installation Standard
New Edition Of FOA Design Book
Seen On The Street - Photos Of Fibers
TIA Reverts To Telecom Nomenclature and Looks at >100 meter Cabling
New Video Explains "Call Before You Dig"
Free VIAVI Testing Pocket Guide
Ensuring Reliability In Installed Networks
New FOA Standard for Installing Fiber Optic Cable Plants
FOA has created a standard for installation of fiber optic cable
plants. Using the expertise of FOA's worldwide network of tech advisors,
FOA has created a standards that recognizes that every fiber optic
project is unique and offers guidelines to installing the cable plant
"in a neat and workmanlike manner."
More about the new FOA Standard.
Available as a free download or purchase printed or Kindle versions online at Amazon.
New Edition Of FOA Design Book Includes Project Management
 FOA
has just 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. This book is the textbook for FOA CFOS/D certification
courses training fiber optic techs to design fiber optic networks. The
topics are linked to supplemental material also available online in the FOA Guide.
Adding
project planning and management provides more information about the
beginning of a project, from concept through planning and including
things a manager needs to know to get a project off the ground. It also
expands on the project manager role in planning and overseeing the
installation of the cable plant.
The new book is available as a paperback or Kindle book. You can buy it from Amazon or local booksellers worldwide.
The Fiber U Design self study program has also been updated for project management.
Enhance your safety with the FOA Safety Vest.
 
It's well made and distinctive.
Introducing The "FOA Badge In Fiber Optics" for all professionals working in fiber optics
Now available in Spanish - Ahora también disponible en español 
FOA is best known as the certifying body for the nearly 100,000 FOA-certified fiber optic technicians
who build worldwide networks. FOA has been asked many times about recognition for other
professionals in fiber optics. FOA now offers the FOA Badge in Fiber Optics,
which recognizes professionals working in all areas of fiber optics;
management, manufacturing, marketing/sales/distribution as well as
managers/planners/supervisors for networks.
New Edition Available
 FOA has
published a new edition of our textbook on basic fiber optics, used in
training for the CFOT certification. The latest version of the FOA Reference Guide To Fiber Optics 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. Inflation was an issue, but the price only goes up $2 to $29.95 for the paperback and $12.95 for the Kindle version.
Available on Amazon and your local bookseller.
The BLS "Telecommunications Technicians" Web Page
Created with the assistance of FOA, the
US Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook
web pages offer job descriptions for fiber optic and wireless
techs and better
job statistics that put some reality in discussions about how many more
fiber techs the US needs. It also provides a reference for grants
applications.
The New BLS "Telecommunications Technicians" Web Page.
Fiber
U Offers Free Online Self-Study Programs And A "Fiber U
Certificate of Completion" For All FOA Certification Subjects.
Fiber U Courses cover all topics on fiber optics and are designed
as preparation for taking a classroom course or taking a FOA
certification exam.
New free course: Fiber U "Fiber Optic Safety" self-study program.
Fiber U MiniCourses - Learn something useful in an hour or less.
New Fiber U MiniCourse Fiber Optic Project Management
More at Fiber
U.
FOA Book on Fiber Broadband - Popular With Broadband Planners
 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 managers involved with broadband projects, teachers who want to include
communications technology in their classes or 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!
Nobody knows more about fiber broadband than the Fiber Optic
Association. Check out our Fiber Broadband Resources Page. If you are working on an IIJA/BEAD program contact us for a
special package of educational materials for your staff.
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.
FOA has a 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  .
FOA Videos
- The
FOA has 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 - a community, jobs and technical discussions
FOA
- official company page on LinkedIn
FOA
- covers FOA, technology and jobs in the fiber optic
marketplace
Grupo de La Asociación de Fibra Óptica FOA (Español)
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!)
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.)
Fiber
Optics (4 languages), Premises Cabling, OSP fiber and
construction, Network Design, Testing and FTTH
The FOA Guide To Fiber Broadband is not the typical FOA technical textbook - it is written for
anyone who wants to understand fiber broadband, fiber optics or the
Internet. It's also aimed at managers involved with broadband projects, teachers who want to include
communications technology in their classes or anyone
who just wonders how all this stuff works.
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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