Municipal broadband & municipal internet from utility POV
In the heated debates around internet access, municipal broadband and municipal internet are often framed as either the savior of underserved communities or an expensive overreach of local government. While that conversation has been well-worn, what’s less discussed is the increasingly central role utility companies play in building, managing, and monetizing these networks. Municipal broadband […]
Dark Fiber in fiber optic networks design
Definition of dark fiber Dark fiber refers to optical fiber cables that are installed but not currently active or connected to any transmitting equipment. The term “dark” comes from the fact that, without an optical signal passing through, the fiber is literally dark – no light pulses are being transmitted. Dark fiber can be an […]
What is OSP (Outside Plant) and what is ISP (Inside Plant) in fiber optics
Outside Plant (OSP) in fiber optics is the network infrastructure located outside of buildings. This means cables, conduits, ducts, poles, splice enclosures, cabinets, handholes, aerial or buried fiber right up to the demarcation point between outdoor and indoor plant. Inside Plant (ISP) in fiber networks is the cabling and equipment inside buildings – cabinets, patch […]
Fiber optic fusion splicing in the wild: how the things get stitched together
Unusual & record-setting splicing scenarios Extreme environment splicing– Splicing in Antarctica?Yep. Research teams in the South Pole use ruggedized splicing equipment in -40°C weather to maintain communication lines to orbiting satellites.In deserts, splicing crews have reported needing to cool down machines in ice chests to prevent overheating.– Undersea fiber splicing by robotsWhen subsea fiber cables […]
Quality of fiber optic network design as the basis for trouble-free network operation
When it comes to the quality of fiber network design documentation, the most pressing issues are in the area of designing aerial (overhead) fiber-optic lines using ADSS (All-Dielectric Self-Supporting), OPPC (Optical Fiber Composite Phase), OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) cables on high-voltage power lines. Problem field The main components of long-term and trouble-free operation of fiber […]
GIS vs noGIS fiber optic cable management
What is fiber GIS? Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Fiber Management Systems (FMS) may seem like close relatives, but they operate in distinctly different domains. While usually a FMS can be considered a specialized subset of GIS, the opposite isn’t true – GIS does not function as an FMS. GIS tools are designed to map […]
Passive Optical Network (PON) design and managing 101
Passive Optical Networks (PON) have become the backbone of high-speed fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) solutions. Network designers and ISPs aiming for efficiency must focus on effective passive optical network design, with careful consideration of PON architecture planning and splitter placement. This guide explores the key components of a robust PON and offers insights into best practices for […]
PON crib: splitters, ratios, gains, losses
Power ratio in mW and dBm dB is the ratio of two powers. For example, for the loss (attenuation) in a segment of optical fiber we have the value at the input of the segment and at its output. If we have measured gains in linear units (e.g. in Watts – W), the loss value […]
Things you didn’t know about OSP fiber networks
1. World’s longest submarine OSP fiber route: 39,000 km The SeaMeWe-6 (Southeast Asia – Middle East – Western Europe) project is a 39,000 km long submarine OSP fiber network linking 19 countries across 3 continents. It includes extensive OSP landing segments connecting the undersea system to terrestrial networks. Designed to deliver over 100 Tbps of […]
The Guide to OSP Fiber Networks: Design, Planning, Management
In today’s digitally driven world, connectivity is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Central to this connectivity is the OSP fiber network, also known as the outside plant fiber optic network. These networks form the backbone of telecommunications, ensuring high-speed data transfer over long distances. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials […]
