New York’s fiber optic industry is hiring. You can earn three FOA certifications in one week.
Why Fiber Optics. Why New York. Why Now.
Federal BEAD funding for New York broadband
New York locations being connected to fiber
Fiber technician pay range in New York
New York is in the middle of the largest broadband build in its history. The state was allocated $664.6 million in federal BEAD funding on top of Governor Hochul’s $1 billion ConnectALL initiative, and in September 2025 the state finalized provider awards totaling more than $636 million to reach roughly 54,000 unserved and underserved locations. The state’s Municipal Infrastructure Program has committed another $268 million across 24 counties, more than 2,300 miles of new fiber reaching 96,000 homes and businesses.
The private buildout is just as active. Greenlight Networks is investing $30 million to wire Rochester’s west-side suburbs. As part of its acquisition of Frontier, Verizon committed $150 million to expand and overbuild fiber across New York. Empire Access, Optimum, and GoNetspeed are all building new networks upstate. All of that fiber needs people to splice, pull, and turn it up. Job boards currently list more than 150 fiber and field technician openings across New York paying $23 to $45 an hour, with Charter Spectrum, MasTec, Verizon, Optimum, Greenlight, and Dycom all hiring. Nationally, the Fiber Broadband Association projects the industry needs 30,000 additional technicians and 28,000 construction workers to execute funded buildouts.
Your Certification Path
Most popular in New York
FiberOptiX Bootcamp · No prerequisites
Three FOA certifications in one week: CFOT + CFOS/T + CFOS/S. You start with the foundational CFOT, then earn two specialist certifications by the end of the week. No prior experience needed. This is how most students in New York get certified, and it runs at campuses in Brooklyn, Valhalla, Kingston, and Binghamton.
The foundation
CFOT, Certified Fiber Optic Technician
The certification every employer looks for. Covers fiber optic theory, installation, termination, splicing, and testing. Included in the bootcamp above, or available as a standalone course at select locations.
Specialist certifications
- CFOS/T, Testing · OTDR, insertion loss, power meter testing. Included in the bootcamp.
- CFOS/S, Splicing · Fusion and mechanical splicing. Included in the bootcamp.
- CFOS/O, Outside Plant · Aerial, buried, underground fiber deployment. Scheduled in New York at SUNY Ulster.
- CFOS/H, FTTH · Fiber-to-the-home and PON installation. Scheduled in New York at SUNY Ulster.
All certifications are sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association and recognized by the US Department of Labor. Learn more about our courses.
Upcoming Classes in New York
Don’t see a date that works? Check the full nationwide schedule or let us know. We add new New York classes regularly based on demand.
Fiber Optic Training Across New York
BDI delivers FOA certification training across New York, at partner campuses, in major metros, and onsite at employer facilities. Classes rotate throughout the year, so the schedule changes often.
SUNY Ulster
BDI's most active New York location, in the Hudson Valley city of Kingston. SUNY Ulster hosts the FiberOptiX Bootcamp plus standalone Outside Plant and FTTH specialist classes.
View classes at this location →Westchester Community College
The largest community college in the Hudson Valley, in Valhalla about 30 minutes north of New York City. BDI trains here through the college's Professional Development Center.
View classes at this location →Kingsborough Community College
A CUNY community college on Brooklyn's oceanfront Manhattan Beach peninsula, and one of BDI's longest-running New York partners. Classes run through the college's continuing education division.
View classes at this location →SUNY Broome Community College
A SUNY college in Binghamton, the hub of New York's Southern Tier on the I-81 corridor. BDI delivers the FiberOptiX Bootcamp through the college's workforce development program.
View classes at this location →Don’t see a class near you? Tell us where you are and we’ll let you know when training comes to your area, or ask about onsite training for your team. You can also browse the full nationwide schedule.
Training for Your Team
BDI works with telecom companies, ISPs, utilities, engineering firms, and government agencies across New York.
- Send your team to a scheduled class. Browse dates above. Group discounts available for multiple students.
- Onsite private training. We bring the equipment and the instructor to your facility, anywhere in New York. Your schedule, your location.
About BDI DataLynk
FOA-Approved School #208. Sanctioned by the Fiber Optic Association. Recognized by the US Department of Labor. Accredited by BICSI. Training fiber optic technicians since 1999. Perfect 5-star Google rating.
Get Started
Browse upcoming New York classes above and register online, or reach out and we’ll help you find the right certification path.
Sources: New York BEAD allocation, NY ConnectALL. Provider awards and 54,000 locations, Office of the Governor. Municipal Infrastructure Program, Office of the Governor. Greenlight Networks build, WXXI News. Verizon and Frontier commitments, NY Department of Public Service. Job and salary data, SimplyHired, Indeed, and BLS OEWS (2024-2026). Workforce estimate, Fiber Broadband Association.
