Certified Optical Network Associate
(CONA)®
Foundational optical networking certification covering CWDM/DWDM, metro networks, 5G, FTTA, and DCI. As Africa’s bandwidth demands explode, certified associates who understand high-capacity optical link design are essential.
Event Dates
May 25-29, 2026
Duration
5 Days | 40 Hours
Location
Nairobi, Kenya
Certification
CONA® Credential
What You’ll Learn
8 essential skills for optical network design
Link Design
10/25Gb/s per channel, 80 channels/fibre
Infrastructure Assessment
Evaluate fibre quality & suitability
Component Specs
Configure transmission link components
Amplifier Application
When & where to deploy amplifiers
Power & Loss Budgets
Calculate optical power & loss budgets
Dispersion Management
When DCM is required
Performance Verification
Validate CD, PMD & power levels
System Design
End-to-end optical network design
Who Should Attend
Designed for optical networking professionals
Network Planners
Network Operations
WAN Service Engineers
Data Centre Engineers
Fiber Optic Specialists
Project Teams
Telecom Engineers
Infrastructure Managers
Course Modules
8 comprehensive modules covering optical networking
Optical Fundamentals
CWDM/DWDM, metro, core, 5G, FTTA, DCI
Fibre Infrastructure
Attenuation, CD, PMD, fibre assessment
System Components
Transceivers, mux/demux, amplifiers, DCMs
Optical Amplifiers
EDFAs, Raman, placement strategies
Power & Loss Budgets
Calculations, margin planning
Dispersion Management
CD limits, DCM calculations, PMD
Design Verification
Testing, WhizzieKit exercises
Certification Assessment
Case study, final evaluation
Requirements
No prerequisites required. Basic understanding of fibre optics and English proficiency recommended.
Certification
CONA credential upon completion. Eligible to progress to CONE (Certified Optical Network Engineer).
What’s Included
Everything you need to succeed
Event Schedule
5-day intensive training program
Day 1
May 25, 2026
Optical Networking Fundamentals
Overview of optical communications, Single-channel vs multi-channel systems, Metro and core networks, 5G and FTTA applications
Day 2
May 26, 2026
Fibre Infrastructure & System Components
Attenuation characteristics, Chromatic and Polarisation Mode Dispersion, Transceivers, Multiplexers, Optical amplifiers
Day 3
May 27, 2026
Power Budgets & Amplifier Design
Calculating optical power and loss budgets, EDFA and Raman amplifier principles, Amplifier placement strategies
Day 4
May 28, 2026
Dispersion Management & Design Verification
Chromatic dispersion limits, DCM calculations, PMD mitigation, Link viability testing
Day 5
May 29, 2026
Hands-on Labs & Certification Assessment
WhizzieKit virtual optical network exercises, Scenario-based case study, Final evaluation for CONA status
Call Us
+254 100 996929
info@africanedevelopment.org