FROM THE INDUSTRY
With huge quantities of homes now passed, getting customers who sign up for fibre broadband connected, often referred to as “last mile” deployments, is the final link in the chain. For operators, the priority here is connecting customers quickly and ensuring resilient and reliable service moving forward. This is both a priority for installations in the UK’s cities and, more challengingly, in rural areas which represent the final frontier in closing the digital divide and often pose tougher environmental challenges. Engineers need flexible solutions that can handle a variety of installation conditions across both aerial and underground deployments. How are network equipment providers responding? This final segment of the network that directly connects individual homes or buildings to the optical distribution point, requires drop cables and assemblies. They are typically smaller in diameter and more flexible than backbone or distribution cables, designed for easier installation and termination within residential or business premises. They are the last but essential component in the FTTH infrastructure chain. At Corning, we’ve been developing and supplying FTTH solutions since the early deployments almost 20 years ago. Innovating in this sector has required a deep understanding of the major pain points that engineers face in the field each day. We introduced Evolv ® Terminals and Drops with Pushlok ® Technology, for example, to help operators navigate increasingly overcrowded poles and chambers and maintain aesthetics when installing on building façades. Now with our latest FTTH solution, a pre-connectorised single fibre, drop cable – called the Round Breakable Drop Cable Assembly – we are honing in on the challenges of last mile deployment and enabling fast connectivity to any premise aerially or underground. Faster, simpler, smaller, anywhere So what does this mean in practice? Firstly, we wanted to address any complexities in the installation process
by a stray shovel. The solution employs factory-terminated, environmentally sealed hardened connectors and is fully PIA approved. This helps operators meet stringent safety and durability standards across varying weather conditions and environmental challenges – key for rural deployments. Maintaining momentum As the UK continues its march towards becoming a more connected nation, manufacturers like Corning will continue to play a key role in equipping engineers with the best tools for the job. Crucially, ensuring speedy connections and long-term resilience across both urban and rural deployments will go a long way to helping operators convert homes passed into homes connected. To find out more about the Round Breakable Drop Cable Assembly and how we’re accelerating FTTH deployment across the UK visit UK Alt Nets | Corning.
that could lead to any friction on the customer’s premises.
Removing the cable sheath to access the fibre has been made as simple as possible through unique stripping technology that eliminates the need for rip cords. This speeds up the installation process – with accessing the fibre up to 55% faster – and reduces the risk of potential fibre damage. Much like our Evolv® Terminals, the solution is also small, with a diameter of only 5mm, which means it can be installed discretely on the customer’s premises. Less time on the premises typically leads to a much better customer experience. A seemingly simple but powerful adaptation that we’ve made from previous iterations of the solution is using a round design that negates the need for a multi- part clamp, simplifying the installation process. The cable itself employs small twists, which is particularly beneficial for overhead deployments, often necessary in rural areas. When deployed via a pole, fibre is vulnerable to frequent bouncing due to the wind – otherwise known as “galloping”. Over time this adds tension to the clamps, but with a spiral design we can negate this effect and maintain the long-term health of the cable. Given the solution’s application across a broad range of environments and deployment scenarios, ensuring durability was a key consideration. We had to strike a balance between enabling ease of stripping the fibre, while also ensuring the connection isn’t at risk of being severed
www.corning.com
As headline sponsor, we will also be demonstrating our solutions at the upcoming SCTE ® Presents: Rural Broadband & The Last Mile event taking place on March 18 in London. Book your place and see you there! www.thescte.eu
MARCH 2025 Volume 47 No.1
53
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker