BICSI Brief Volume 4, Issue 1 | February 2026

Outside plant (OSP) networks remain a critical foundation of modern telecommunications infrastructure. To support professionals working in this space, BICSI has introduced a new OSP Micro-Certificate made up of four focused, self-paced online courses. Each course addresses key design considerations for common OSP installation environments, giving learners practical guidance they can apply immediately. New Micro-OSP Courses Support Smarter Outside Plant Design EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT

Exam-Aligned Study Support In addition to the micro-courses, BICSI also offers an online, self-paced OSP study aid designed to support professionals preparing for the OSP certification exam. This structured learning resource aligns directly with the OSP exam blueprint and helps simplify complex concepts through focused lessons, real-world scenarios, and practice questions. The study aid allows learners to reinforce knowledge at their own pace while building confidence ahead of the exam. If you are considering adding this new Micro-Certificate to your learning, we highly recommend picking up the Outside Plant Design Essentials Bundle , which brings you all the required publications for the associated courses in one convenient package. All standards and publications are also available separately.

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The series begins with General Design Considerations for Outside Plant , which covers foundational concepts such as pathway planning, cabling selection, grounding and bonding, right-of-way considerations, and risk mitigation strategies.

Either taken individually or completed as a full series, these micro-courses and study resources provide targeted education for professionals seeking to strengthen their OSP design knowledge or prepare for advanced credentials.

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Building on that foundation, Design Considerations for Aerial Installations focuses on overhead deployments, including pole usage, clearance requirements, structural considerations, and transitions between pathway types.

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For projects requiring below-grade solutions, Design Considerations for Direct-Buried Installations addresses soil conditions, trenching methods, protection strategies, and coordination with existing utilities.

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The series also includes Design Considerations for Underground Installations , which explores conduit systems, vaults, access points, bend radius requirements, and long-term scalability in underground environments.

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20 | Education

Education | 21

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