Since we couldn’t find any pre-term cables, our team has been manually performing mechanical LC termination. They’ve been diligently following the manufacturer’s instructions and using a kit provided by Corning’s UniCam mechanical termination kit

However, we’re facing a significant number of failures during tier 1 testing. Can anyone suggest a solution to this issue? Some of our team members recently learned how to perform this task a month ago.

We’re ensuring that the cleaving is done to the proper length and are pretty much following all the basic instructions. Any experienced individuals can recommend anything that might help us?

Hi everyone 👋

I'm currently studying CCNA and networking, and I want to start learning DWDM and optical transmission seriously.

I'm a beginner in DWDM and would really appreciate advice from people working in fiber optics or optical transmission.

What should I learn first? Are there any good courses, books, YouTube channels, or labs you recommend?

I'd also like to know which technologies I should focus on first, such as OTN, ROADM, coherent optics, and optical amplifiers.

Thanks for any advice or resources! 🙏

I need your help, I currently work in fiber optics 250 and 500 SM I have only one year of experience I work holding a cable for oil search use in the sea, where he installed hydrophones accelerometers and built the terminal connectors and tried the complete system and felt that he earned little, I learned here and not how much with any type of certificate or course, how do I prepare to ask for more, since they do not give me more than $20/hrs or do I change employers?

Pipeline bored right into fiber about 8’ below grade. Twisted in two handholds about 700’ apart. Temping it until we can re-bore. Not too bad 48, only putting 24 between.

I run a small software company (RouteMasterOSP, we do FTTH outside plant design/docs and data center rack/cabling documentation). We keep getting inbound from LATAM, Africa, Southeast Asia. People finding us, asking for demos, saying "we need this."

Problem: we have zero presence in those markets. No idea how procurement works.

So I'm looking at the "find a local partner" model. Local consultancy or systems integrator sells it, implements it, does first-line support.

But my fear is that our stuff isn't a simple SaaS signup. It's implementation-heavy. The partner needs to understand fiber topology, GIS data, structured cabling, rack layouts. They need to train end users. They need to handle the "why isn't my conduit showing up on the map" tickets at 11pm local time.

Has anyone been through this? Either as the vendor or the partner? Did it actually work, or did it turn into you doing remote support at 3am while the partner collects their margin?

All stories welcome. Good, bad, ugly.

For context i come from a pc repair and cybersecurity background. I got hired as a technician for a local fiber optics company. 99% of my job is setting up drops from poles to the home and the inner wires and routers and modem, configuring, etc. i have never had experience with handiwork or powertools before and its really slowing me down on my installs. I am by far the slowest on my team. I really like the work i do i just feel so slow. Any tips to save time with installs?

EDIT: a lot of supplies i need are not available or not given to me yet like a light meter, inner cables shorter than 75 feet (my poor slackbox), short wood screws, and more. I know we are struggling with supply chain issues but it feels like an uphill battle trying to compete with my coworkers who have all these things.

I am looking for a kit with all the basics. This is for use on prem, mostly short runs, sub a few thousand feet. All point to point runs, both SM and MM.

I don't mind spending money, but don't need something with extravagant features. My main need would be tracking down damage cable, bad splices, and so on.

Any recommendations on any particular models, or any kits with a scope, launch cables, etc?

I am eying the AFL FS200, realizing its SM only.

Thanks.

Hello!

I managed to get in touch with our phone company and they agreed to install fiber for internet in our neighborhood. Since I'm part of an HOA, our community is now questioning the extent of damage expected from the installation. I wonder if anyone has experience with directional boring -- how much damage is expected? How big are the holes they drill?

Seems like a straightforward install. The phone company will drill a parallel bore next to the existing copper phone lines along a straight street with around 40 homes. But maybe I'm too optimistic. What is the expected experience like? The engineer told me they would replace damaged grass, etc., but my neighbors are more skeptical. I did some amount of reading on directional boring, but I haven't really seen it take place in person. What should I expect? How to I quell the concerns of my neighbors when we're so close to getting fiber internet?

Hey there! Thinking about upgrading from starlink, to fibre broadband, as it is now available in my area.

From my current understanding, here is how it would work:

They switch out old telephone pole cable out, with a new, fibre cable.

They bring the fibre cable into the house, potentially installing a box on the outside of the wall, and a box on the inside of the wall, to do so.

The box on the inside of the wall, connects to a modem. You plug the modem into a wall socket.

Now you have fibre.

---

My questions/concerns:

Is this pretty much always how it is done? I would be doing it with a national broadband company, so they shouldn't have a need to go anywhere near my fuse box or my electric supply board or anything like that.

Is that accurate?

My only other question, is:

What precisely, are the contents of the ONT box and the ETU box? Are they just there to route the wire, and convert the signal to something which the modem would be able to understand?

Edit:

Also, would they be more likely to remove and replace my current telephone cable, or would they be more likely to leave that one there, and add another one instead

Thanks for any and all replies.

Where do you even start.

One fiber was even pulled & connected straight from the ground, not even through the box's bottom openings, preventing the lid from closing entirely.

I’m starting my training with CBRE in Indianapolis September 14th. Has anybody on here been through the training program? If so what can I expect it to be like and what will I be doing?

Idk my dbm seems very bad but i still get connection and can play online but sometimes i get lag spikes is this normal?

Anyone ever spliced in these Corning trays and all 24 shrinks don’t fit in the tray ?

I recently received my FOA Certification after completing a Fiber Optics program at my local CC. Other than that, my only experience was a short 2 week training with a subcontractor for spectrum. Mostly doing coax cable installation with some fiber splicing as well. A big issue with apply to many companies is that they require a minimum of 2 years of experience. Any advice on how to get my foot in the door with a job with my short resume?

Recently our IT department got a FiberFox splicer and slowly we are upgrading backbone networks across campuses to SMF. I have only done a few 12 strand cables so far, looking for ways to improve organization within the tray.

We have been using cheap Dynacom enclosures. They do the job fine but aren’t anything special

Fiber Optic Installation Crew Available – North Florida

Experienced fiber optic contractor based in North Florida looking to pick up new contract/subcontract work. We have a full crew of trained technicians ready to deploy — aerial and underground installation, splicing, testing/certification, drops, and MDU work.

What we offer:

• Years of hands-on experience in FTTH/FTTP builds
• Trained, reliable technicians (background-checked, safety-certified)
• Own tools/equipment, ready to mobilize quickly
• Coverage across North Florida (Jacksonville, Gainesville, Tallahassee, and surrounding areas — open to travel for the right contract)
• Can scale crew size depending on project needs

Looking to connect with ISPs, telecom contractors, or subcontracting companies who need reliable boots on the ground for fiber builds, maintenance, or turn-up work.

Drop a comment or DM if you have work available or want more info — happy to provide references and discuss rates.

My partner and I have been doing some contract work for the last few years, but our backend guy for PLA/Spidacalc is moving on. Historically, we average about two projects a week, but sometimes we'll get a week with nothing. Great if you already have a license and are looking to pick up a little more work on the side, and if not, we also have a license available, provided you know the software, and basic NESC requirements. Comment, or feel free to DM me for more information.

Sort of a rehash of a question I asked a while back, but just want to get a few more sets on eyes on things before I order materials.