NAICS 335921

Overview

NAICS 335921 (Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing) covers U.S. establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fiber‑optic cable. The scope centers on making the cable itself (e.g., jacketed assemblies and bulk cable intended for data transmission), not the optical fiber preforms or drawn fibers. Official cross‑references clarify that manufacturing the optical fiber (without cabling) is classified under 327212, while insulated nonferrous wire and cable that are not fiber optic fall under 335929. Use this code when the principal deliverable is fiber‑optic cable for communications and data networking, distinguishing it from metallic communication wire or energy cable. The classification helps contracting and industry teams align solicitations, market research, and reporting with vendors whose core competency is producing fiber‑optic cabling products rather than copper wire, power cable, or standalone optical components. ¹

What this NAICS covers

NAICS 335921 focuses on establishments whose primary business is manufacturing fiber‑optic cable, typically using purchased optical fiber and converting it into finished cabling suitable for communications and data transmission applications. ¹

• Covered activities include producing fiber‑optic cable as bulk cable or jacketed cable assemblies made from purchased glass fiber, where the core deliverable is the cable itself rather than the optical fiber preform or drawn fiber. ¹
• The scope encompasses fiber‑optic communication cable production, regardless of whether the output is intended for voice, video, or data networking use, so long as the establishment’s principal product is fiber‑optic cable. ¹
• Illustrative example (from official NAICS text): “Fiber optic cable, made from purchased glass fiber,” reflecting the cabling of optical fiber rather than its manufacture from preforms. ¹

Not covered by 335921:

• Manufacturing optical fiber (e.g., producing the glass preform and drawing optical fiber) without cabling, which is classified under 327212. ¹
• Manufacturing insulated nonferrous wire and cable other than fiber‑optic cable (e.g., copper communication wire or power cable), which is classified under 335929. ¹

Notes and boundaries:

• This code applies when the establishment’s principal output is fiber‑optic cable; it does not extend to installing cable, providing telecommunications services, or producing standalone optical fibers or non‑fiber‑optic cables. ¹
• Beyond the generic example listed above, specific product forms (e.g., pre‑terminated patch cords or specialty constructions) are not explicitly itemized in official NAICS text; applicability should be determined by whether the primary output is fiber‑optic cable as defined for this industry classification. Not specified by official sources. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

The codes below commonly sit adjacent to or are paired with 335921 in market research and solicitations. Use them to distinguish manufacturing of fiber‑optic cable from optical fiber production, electrical/metallic cable, or installation services, depending on the principal purpose of the work. ¹

• NAICS 327212 — Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing: includes production of optical fiber (e.g., making glass preforms and drawing fiber) when not combined into cable; select when the deliverable is optical fiber itself rather than finished cabling. ²
• NAICS 335929 — Other Communication and Energy Wire Manufacturing: covers insulated nonferrous wire and cable that are not fiber‑optic (e.g., copper communications or power cable); use when the product is metallic or otherwise non‑fiber‑optic. ³
• NAICS 237130 — Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction: applies to installing power and communications lines (including fiber‑optic cable) and related infrastructure; use when the primary scope is outside‑plant construction/installation rather than cable manufacturing. ⁴

Commonly paired PSC codes for products:

• PSC 6015 — Fiber Optic Cables: product code most directly aligned to finished fiber‑optic cable (bulk or assemblies) procured as a supply item. ⁵
• PSC 6020 — Fiber Optic Materials, Components, Assemblies, and Accessories: use for fiber‑optic connectors, couplers, patch panels, jumpers/patch cords, and related fiber‑optic components when not otherwise specified under 6015. ⁶
• PSC 6145 — Wire and Cable, Electrical: covers non‑fiber electrical wire and cable; appropriate when the requirement is for metallic/electrical cabling rather than fiber‑optic products. ⁷
• PSC 5995 — Cable, Cord, and Wire Assemblies: Communication Equipment: often used for communication cable assemblies; for fiber‑optic assemblies, agencies also commonly use 6015 or 6020 depending on whether the emphasis is on cable versus components/accessories. ⁸

Frequently asked questions

• What does NAICS 335921 include?
  NAICS 335921 covers establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing fiber‑optic cable from purchased optical fiber, including bulk cable and jacketed cable assemblies intended for communications and data transmission. It does not include making the optical fiber itself or non‑fiber (metallic) cable products. ¹

• How is 335921 different from 327212?
  Use 335921 when the core activity is cabling (e.g., buffering, stranding, jacketing) of purchased optical fiber into finished fiber‑optic cable. Use 327212 when producing the optical fiber (e.g., making preforms and drawing fiber) without cabling it into finished cable. ²

• How is 335921 different from 335929?
  335921 is only for fiber‑optic cable. Manufacturing insulated nonferrous wire and cable that are not fiber optic—such as copper communication wire or power cable—belongs under 335929. Distinguish requirements based on whether light or electricity carries the signal. ³

• Does 335921 include installing fiber‑optic cable?
  No. Installation and outside‑plant construction (e.g., placing cable, building related structures) generally fall under 237130 or, for building wiring, 238210. NAICS 335921 is a manufacturing classification, not a construction or installation code. ⁴

• What small business size standard applies to 335921?
  Size standards are set by SBA and updated periodically. Consult SBA’s Table of Small Business Size Standards (by NAICS code) to determine the current employee‑based standard for manufacturing NAICS such as 335921. Always verify against the latest published table before use. ¹⁰

Useful resources

• U.S. Census Bureau NAICS page for 335921 — authoritative definition, examples, and cross‑references for Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing. ¹
• Cross‑reference: U.S. Census Bureau NAICS page for 327212 — optical fiber manufacturing (preforms and fiber drawing) rather than cabling. ²
• Cross‑reference: U.S. Census Bureau NAICS page for 335929 — insulated non‑fiber wire/cable (e.g., copper communication or power cable). ³
• Cross‑reference: U.S. Census Bureau NAICS page for 237130 — outside‑plant power/communication line construction or installation. ⁴
• Cross‑reference: U.S. Census Bureau NAICS page for 238210 — inside‑building electrical/communications wiring installation. ⁹
• PSC lookup: PSC Tool entry for 6015 Fiber Optic Cables — aligns to supply buys for finished fiber‑optic cable (bulk or assemblies). ⁵
• PSC lookup: PSC Tool entry for 6020 Fiber Optic Materials, Components, Assemblies, and Accessories — connectors, splitters, patch panels, jumpers, and related components. ⁶
• PSC lookup: PSC Tool entry for 6145 Wire and Cable, Electrical — non‑fiber metallic/electrical cabling. ⁷
• PSC lookup: PSC Tool entry for 5995 Cable, Cord, and Wire Assemblies: Communication Equipment — sometimes used for communication cable assemblies. ⁸
• Small business sizing: SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards — check the current employee‑based size standard for manufacturing NAICS such as 335921. ¹⁰

References

1. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=335921&year=2022&details=335921
2. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=327212&year=2022&details=327212
3. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=335929&year=2022&details=335929
4. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=237130&year=2022&details=237130
5. https://psctool.us/psc/6015
6. https://psctool.us/psc/6020
7. https://psctool.us/psc/6145
8. https://psctool.us/psc/5995
9. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=238210&year=2022&details=238210
10. https://www.sba.gov/document/support/table-size-standards