SPONSORED CONTENT: FIBRE & 5G
CASE STUDY: BRINGING FIBRE TO EVERY UK PREMISE, SUPPORTING COUNTRYWIDE ROLL-OUT WITH FAST, FLEXIBLE, FUTURE-READY SOLUTIONS
building blocks of the FACT ODF and worked to develop a complete solution that will deliver the full functionality which they require for their fibre programme. ‘We proposed a solution that was not only
far easier to work with, but which could also manage very high densities. Limited density was a particularly big issue with wave division multiplexing (WDM) connection. Following tests directly comparing the old and new solutions, the decision was made to equip new installations with CommScope’s FACT optical distribution frame, which offered both of the required functionalities. One of the main advantages of this ODF is the fact that it is fully connectorised. Splicing is only necessary during installation. Once the ODF is built, connecting services is as simple as plugging in patch cords.’ Te FACT ODF meets the requirements of
CommScope has been helping a division of a leading UK telecommunications company to roll out full-fibre broadband
T
he Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR) issued by the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport states that full-fibre
broadband coverage should be available to every home in the UK by 2033. By 2025, 15 million premises should have full-fibre broadband. However, at the end of 2018, only 6 per cent of homes in the UK had access to full- fibre connections. Te company that owns and maintains
all telephone wires, ducts, cabinets and exchanges – connecting nearly all UK homes and businesses to the national broadband and telephone network – is playing an essential role in meeting this demand. By extending its ultrafast broadband footprint using FTTP and G-Fast technology, the company is making faster, more reliable services available across the country. More than 27.6m premises across the UK can
get speeds of over 30Mb/s. FTTP should be available to four million premises by the end of March 2021, extending to 15 million premises by 2025. Currently, some 20,000 premises are being connected with FTTP each week. In addition, the company is starting to collaborate with its telco customers on identifying the best way to migrate from copper to fibre infrastructure across the UK – and eventually shut down the analogue network.
Quicker, simpler and tidier fibre management To accommodate the move and meet the increased need for full-fibre deployment, a solution was required that would reduce time spent working on fibre frames in central offices. CommScope, a key partner to the national
telecommunications company, was brought in to support this critical program. Te key
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requirements were for an optical distribution frame with far greater connection density in the same footprint as the outgoing product, for rapid, simple, repeatable installation practices that save time and money. Superior fibre management was needed to reduce the risk of intervention faults, thereby optimising service availability and continuity of revenues. Innovative WDM cassete technology was required to deliver fast and simple deployment of optical devices for existing and future PON architectures. An optimised colour coded patch cord
management system was needed to limit scope for installation bad-practice and aid the accuracy of record keeping and auditing of circuits. Meanwhile, intuitive access to individual connectors should save time when repairing or replacing components. Low weight is needed to allow single operative installations, reducing total task time to lower the cost of deployment. ‘With such a huge task ahead, the client is
increasingly reliant on external partners to provide integrated solutions that match the precise needs of each project,’ explained Scot Tovell, CommScope field application engineer. ‘Discussions about replacing the existing optical distribution frames (ODFs) started in 2016. Te solution in place used only spliced cabling and its layout made installation and moves, adds and changes very difficult and time-consuming. Seting up one rack took considerable time.’ ‘Te ODF is a key part of the network,
providing the flexibility customers need to support current and future transmission requirements, explained Geoff Buddington, key account sales director, CommScope. ‘We’ve been working closely with the client to fully understand their needs, requirements and constraints. With this in mind, we have taken the
rapid deployment, ease of installation with plug- and-play connectivity, high usable density, and long-term value for the evolving fibre network. Te infrastructure being rolled out today will satisfy residential and commercial subscribers’ fast-growing appetite for converged phone, data and video services for many years to come. Te ODF has been designed and
dimensioned with significantly greater capacity in mind. Tis means it can manage 144 more spine fibres than both the optical consolidation rack (OCR) and optical fibre rack OFR, allowing for a total of 720 fibres from the external network to be presented. During comparisons
between FACT ODF and the former solution, building a rack/frame and cabling and patching side ducts and mandrels was more than 25 per cent faster. Securing spine cables, breakout and fanning
trays could be done in half the previous time and splicing spine fibres to LC connector pigtails could be done in less than half the time. When rolling out fibre across an area as large as the UK, these savings – especially in combination with the use of pre-connectorised cables - add up enormously.
CommScope scored highest in the key selection categories that had been defined for the project: • • • • •
Speed of deployment Plug & play installation Reliability of deliveries Short lead times Ease to scale up
Tis was alongside an 71 additional and more
subjective criteria, such as feedback from field engineers.
‘Building blocks’ and processes are highly
standardised, but the system offers ample flexibility to create a tailor-made solution. Factory-tested components and pre-terminated cable are improving network build quality and speeding up installation, because there is no need for specialist fibre splicing skills and equipment. CommScope employees held regular
meetings with the company’s engineer and inspections to keep improving the solution’s performance and implementation. n
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CommScope
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