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points, RFTM enables ‘dual-ended’ testing, with a test head on one end of the circuit and a technician with a mobile application and reflectors on the other. This approach guarantees end-to-end continuity and accurate loss-budget validation, all managed by a single technician. In addition to ensuring each link meets quality requirements, this approach can accelerate deployment by up to 30%, according to operators. Measuring quality as the network is built enables immediate defect correction, avoiding costly rework and dispatches later. Operators also report faster contractor onboarding, with reduced training time and shorter lead times for test equipment acquisition, as well as automated data collection and validation. The result? Altnets can deploy high-quality networks faster, avoiding the common pitfall of poorly documented infrastructure, which often complicates troubleshooting and maintenance. Additionally, the geo-referenced test data generated from these tests strengthens ‘as-built’ network documentation, providing a more reliable foundation for ongoing operational efficiency compared to theoretical ‘as-planned’ network documentation.
Seamless service activation with comprehensive testing Once network construction is complete, the next major milestone for altnets is service activation, where end-user connections are established. Given the potential for significant delays between the end of construction and the activation of a first customer—often stretching weeks or months—the focus shifts to ensuring that the network, once certified and deemed ready, remains ready for service (RFS). During this critical period, RFTM plays a pivotal role by continuously monitoring up to the optical terminals to confirm the network’s readiness for service (RFS) activation is maintained. These proactive measures not only mitigate the risk of activation delays, but they also lead to significantly lower operational costs associated with failed activations. Assuring the network’s readiness is only part of the equation—what happens during activation is just as critical. Activating a subscriber without proper testing can backfire; a technician might leave a site only to return due to missed issues, costing both time and money. With automated and connected testing tools that enforce compliance to MOPs, altnets can ensure that no step is missed in confirming the functionality of each connection before activating service,
density. Many operators adopt a hybrid strategy: RFTM is prioritised in high- density regions, where its centralised and industrialised approach efficiently handles high testing volumes, while portable testing is more common in less dense areas where flexibility is prioritised. For networks without end-to-end continuity until a customer subscribes (e.g. feeder lines not connected to distribution), on-the-ground portable testing is crucial to validate individual links as they are established. This approach may be the only viable option when there is no power or connectivity to support remote test heads at either end of the fibre circuits. In such cases, portable instruments should connect to a central application to receive test plans that ensure compliance with the method of procedure (MOP), track progress, and automate data collection and validation. This not only confirms network quality but can also generate valuable insights for continuous improvement. In fully spliced, end-to-end networks (e.g., from exchanges to connectorised block terminals or CBTs), RFTM can automate feeder testing by using optical time-domain reflectometers (OTDRs) and optical switches at central locations linked to centralised software. This setup reduces the need for human intervention, converting parts of the testing process into low-cost, automated machine time. When distribution fibres (F2, F3, and terminals) are installed up to home-pass
DECEMBER 2024 Volume 46 No.4
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