The training is aimed at government officials and policymakers involved in fiber-related fields.   
The maximum number of participants is limited to 40  persons.

This course is advanced; therefore, it requires fundamental industrial knowledge of fiber optic implementation. 

Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:

• Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field or have a minimum of three years of experience in fiber optic-related fields. 
• Have fundamental industrial knowledge of fiber optic implementation. 
• Possess a fluent level of English.
• Complete the application questionnaire available on the ITU Academy.

Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply.

Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire of each applicant.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to: 

• Demonstrate deep knowledge of smart cities, fiber optics technologies and their application in smart cities development
• List and describe fiber optic components – switches, amplifiers, multiplexers, drivers, etc.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of fiber cables and associated link loss and power budget computation for smart city development.
• Describe network design, mapping/planning and the deployment of optical fiber.
• Explain elements and methodologies of fiber project management including project planning, scheduling and risk management for smart city infrastructure development.
• Explain and demonstrate knowledge of stakeholder engagement, communication and collaboration in fiber project management for smart cities
• Describe budgeting and cost control in fiber project management
• Develop a Project management Plan document for fiber optic deployment (including Gantt chart) that accurately represents project tasks and timelines.
• Explain emerging trends, disruptions and sustainable practice in fiber optics and fiber infrastructures for smart cities.

The course will run for two weeks. The course delivery method involves the following: 

• Presentations and pre-recorded videos shall be available through the ITU Academy platform at the beginning of the course to facilitate self-study. Each week is based on two hours of lectures.
• Weekly discussion Forums based on discussion topics and case studies, with instructor moderation and feedback.
• Weekly live Q&A session via Zoom platform to answer any questions you may have about the material covered for the week and the assignments. One additional chat session might occur if needed. 
•  Mandatory online quizzes at the end of each week. 
• Two case study submissions.

The live sessions will take place as per the below schedule: 

• Week 1 session: Friday, 21 February 2025 starting from 2 pm CET 
• Week 2 session: Friday, 28 February 2025 starting from 2 pm CET

The participants will be evaluated based on their substantive posts in the discussion forum, active participation in online sessions, and other course activities. There will be two quizzes at the end of each week and one individual assignment to be submitted and graded. Templates outlining the format for assignment submission will be provided via the ITU Academy platform. Each quiz will consist of multiple-choice questions designed to evaluate participants through the ITU Academy platform.

A total score of 70% or above is required to obtain the ITU course completion certificate. The evaluation will be based on the following parameters:

• Two quizzes (15% per quiz): 30% total
• Individual Assignment: 40%
• Two live sessions: 10%
• Two discussion forums: 20%

Week 1

Module 1: Optical Fiber Theory and Smart Cities

• Topics Covered:
  • What are optical fibers?
  • History of optical fibers in telecommunications
  • Overview of fiber optics technology
  • Smart city concepts and components
• Key Learning Points:
  • Describe the concepts and components of smart cities.
  • Understand the optical network system in smart city development.
  • List the importance and applications of fiber optics.
  • Explain the basic principle of light and its use in optical fiber.
  • Demonstrate the usage of fiber tools and their deployment in smart cities.

Module 2: End-to-End Optical Network Infrastructure

• Topics Covered:
  • Understanding network topologies
  • Fiber optic network architectures & infrastructure
  • Fiber optic drivers
  • EDFAs, optical switches, WDM, and DWDM equipment
• Key Learning Points:
  • Describe fiber optic networks, architectures, infrastructures, and topologies for smart cities.
  • Explain the components of fiber optics, including switches, drivers, EDFAs, WDM, and DWDM.

Module 3: Fiber Optic Network Design for Sustainable Smart Cities

• Topics Covered:
  • Optical fiber system requirements
  • Essential elements of a fiber link
  • Optical link loss budget (calculating total link loss)
  • Optical fiber system components (transmitter, multiplexer, receiver, amplifier)
  • Survey of routes
  • Layout of an optical fiber cable network
  • Optical fiber cable specifications and testing
  • Design considerations for smart city infrastructure and sustainable urban environments
  • Fiber optic network planning and mapping
  • Integration with IoT and sensor networks
  • High-density fiber optics solutions for green cities
  • Safety measures in fiber optic design
• Key Learning Points:
  • Understand optical fiber network planning, mapping, and design considerations.
  • Present an optical fiber network plan.
  • Describe optical fiber cables and testing methods.
  • Explain the essential elements of fiber links and calculate power budgets.
  • Explain fiber optic system components.

Module 4: Deployment of Optical Fiber in the Network

• Topics Covered:
  • Deployment of optical fiber cables on shared routes (railways, power routes)
  • Aerial and underground installations of optical fiber cables
  • Direct burial of optical fiber cables
  • Key applications of different fiber cable types
  • Testing and troubleshooting fiber optic networks
  • Preventive maintenance for fiber optic infrastructure
  • Documentation and record-keeping
• Key Learning Points:
  • Explain different types of optical fiber cables and their applications.
  • Demonstrate the deployment of optical fiber.
  • Explain fiber optic cable testing, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance.
  • Develop sample documentation for fiber optic infrastructure.

Week 2

Module 5: Fiber Optic Project Management

• Topics Covered:
  • Defining fiber optic project management
  • Defining project constraints
  • Project scope definition and stakeholder management
  • Time and resource management
  • Roles of a project manager
  • Overview of fiber optic project documentation
  • Producing the project plan and planning execution
  • Mastering change control
• Key Learning Points:
  • Define fiber optic project management and list project constraints.
  • Describe the roles of a project manager.
  • Develop a fiber optic project plan and scope of work.
  • Demonstrate an execution plan for fiber optic projects.

Module 6: Risk Management in Fiber Optics Projects

• Topics Covered:
  • Defining risk
  • Identifying and assessing risks in fiber optic projects
  • Quantifying risks
  • Developing risk responses and mitigation strategies
  • Contingency planning for unforeseen events
  • Case studies on project failures and successes
• Key Learning Points:
  • Identify, assess, and quantify risks in fiber optic projects.
  • Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
  • Explain project failures and successes in fiber optics.

Module 7: Project Planning and Scheduling

• Topics Covered:
  • Developing project plans
  • Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
  • Gantt charts and critical path analysis
  • Resource allocation and time estimation
  • Human resource management
  • Time and cost management
  • Scope management
• Key Learning Points:
  • Develop a fiber project plan.
  • Describe WBS, Gantt charts, and critical path analysis.
  • Explain the components of project management in fiber optics.

Module 8: Fiber Optic Stakeholder Communication and Collaboration

• Topics Covered:
  • Developing communication strategies
  • Conflict resolution
  • Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
  • Collaboration planning, tools, and techniques
  • Effective information distribution
  • Managing conflicts in project teams
• Key Learning Points:
  • Explain the importance of stakeholder management.
  • List communication strategies and collaboration tools in fiber projects.

Module 9: Budgeting and Cost Control

• Topics Covered:
  • Creating project budgets for fiber optics infrastructure
  • Cost estimation and tracking
  • Financial management in smart city projects
  • Procurement and vendor management
  • Project closure management
• Key Learning Points:
  • Explain cost estimation and financial management in smart city projects.
  • Develop a sample fiber project budget.
  • Demonstrate procurement and vendor management.
  • Describe fiber project closure.

Module 10: Sustainability and Future Trends

• Topics Covered:
  • Sustainable practices in fiber optics infrastructure
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Emerging technologies in fiber optics and smart cities
  • Closing remarks and future outlook
  • Week 2 quiz
  • Individual assignment
• Key Learning Points:
  • Assess the environmental impact of fiber optic projects.
  • List emerging trends and sustainable practices in fiber optics and smart cities.
  • Complete an individual assignment using a provided template.