@fibresystemsmag | www.fibre-systems.com


CONTENTS FOREWORD


F BRESYSTEMS Contents


Issue 20 • Summer 2018 5 News


Ofcom decides not to introduce temporary dark fibre remedy l CityFibre agrees terms for cash acquisition by Bidco l LightCounting: cloud to drive demand for optics to 2023


12 Opinion: In denial


Keely Portway looks at some of the wider potential repercussions of the ZTE US ban


14 Feature: Learn from experience


18 Opinion: In advance 20 Feature: A time to skill


14


As data demand rises ever higher, researchers are looking to innovative amplifier designs to help transport a broader light spectrum through optical fibres, finds Andy Extance


Vanesa Diaz discusses building advanced cable TV networks for gigabit services


With demand for fibre to the premises (FTTP) increasing, Keely Portway discovers what measures are being implemented when it comes to training


26 Opinion: The final frontier


Duncan Ellis shares his views about the increased focus on automation from network operators, and how the physical layer has so far stubbornly resisted the move


28 Company Profile: Blazing a trail 32 Feature: The long goodbye


34 Opinion: Magic number 36 Products


Cover: Jamesbin/Shutterstock.com


Editorial team Editor: Keely Portway • keely.portway@europascience.com, +44 (0) 1222 221048 Consulting editor: Pauline Rigby • pauline.rigby@europascience.com, +44 (0) 1223 221030 Regular contributors: Andy Extance, Rebecca Pool


Advertising and production team Advertising manager: Sarah Ellis-Miller • sarah.ellis.miller@europascience.com • Tel: +44 (0)1223 221037 Design and production manager: David Houghton • david.houghton@europascience.com • Tel: +44 (0)1223 221034 Senior designer: Zöe Andrews • zoe.andrews@europascience.com • Tel: +44 (0)1223 221035


Corporate team Managing director: Warren Clark • warren.clark@europascience.com


Fibre Systems is published by Europa Science Ltd, 4 Signet Court, Cambridge CB5 8LA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 221030 Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385 Web: www.europascience.com ISSN: 2053-5147


All editorial information should be sent to editor.fibresystems@europascience.com


Subscribe for FREE online at www.fibre-systems.com/subscribe


Consolidation through acquisition has been a hot topic of late. Fibre Systems discovers how a journey along the acquisition trail has worked for EXFO for the past 30 years


28


Switching off copper networks where fibre has been deployed is the end game, so why are so few operators doing it, wonders Pauline Rigby


Ana Pesovic discusses the three core elements required in creating a smart city


A round-up of recent new product announcements 20


Leader Summer slim down


frivolous headlines from mainstream media will reign as ‘silly season’ tightens its grip. In optical communications, however, we’re seeing story aſter story create real talking points. In keeping (loosely) with the summer theme, a prominent topic seems to be the ‘slimming down’ of the industry, with a number of acquisitions and mergers. Earlier this year UK-based Gigaclear purchased


T


the assets of troubled competitor Aylesbury Vale Broadband Ltd, and recently, Gigaclear became the ‘acquire-ee’, aſter a £270m purchase bid from existing shareholder, Infracapital. Global cloud networking provider GTT Communications has made a steady stream of acquisitions, with the purchase of Dutch carrier Custom Connect and Toronto-headquartered Accelerated Connections. Back in Europe, the provider additionally entered into a definitive agreement to acquire UK-based Interoute, in a deal worth approximately €1.9 billion ($2.3 billion). As the 2018 OFC conference and exhibition


started in San Diego, so did one of the biggest stories of the year, as Lumentum Holdings and Oclaro reached an agreement in which the former will acquire the outstanding common stock of the latter. Te transaction is expected to close imminently, with Lumentum citing the second half of this year, subject to approval. Toughts among analysts at the San Diego convention centre were that this is the first big step towards consolidation within the industry. For many, it is a positive development.


Consolidation can help prevent ‘over supply’ and certainly it brought about an immediate share price increase, with Oclaro stock up 27 per cent, and Lumentum up five per cent. If there is a concern, it is that things veer too far


SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registrations available to qualifying individuals. Subscriptions £120 per year for four issues to readers outside registration requirements. Enquiries to Europa Science, 4 Signet Court, Cambridge CB5 8LA, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 221030. Fax: +44 (0)1223 213385. ©2018 Europa Science Ltd. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff. All rights reserved. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by Europa Science Ltd, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication. US COPIES: Fibre Systems is published by Europa Science Ltd and distributed in the US by DSW, 75 Aberdeen Road, Emigsville PA 17318-0437. Periodicals postage paid at Emigsville PA. Postmaster: Send address changes to Fibre Systems, PO Box 437, Emigsville PA 17318-0437.


in the other direction, so that a small group of juggernauts dictate on important issues, thereby reducing competition or innovation. Right now, however, demand continues to drive


innovation and companies press ahead with the development of attention-grabbing products and systems to ensure that they are future-ready. It’s an exciting time! May it remain so, regardless of the season.


Keely Portway Editor, Fibre Systems keely.portway@europascience.com


Issue 20 • Summer 2018 FIBRE SYSTEMS 3


here’s an inevitability in summer that


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44