m2fx Ltd. has launched a new all dielectric self supporting (ADSS) fiber-optic cable that it says can reduce the cost of last-mile fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments using aerial cable.
The company says the ADSS cable’s lightweight yet durable construction means it can be attached to existing poles and fittings without the time and expense of surveys, planning, and remedial civil works or the need for blowing equipment. The high-fiber-count cable also speeds up installations, enabling more deployments per day and thus further reducing costs and increasing return on investment (ROI), the company claims.
By using pre-existing infrastructure, the ADSS cable range is particularly suitable for crowded urban areas, reducing the need to close roads and minimizing disruption to cities and homeowners, m2fx adds. Due to its all-dielectric construction it can be safely located near high voltage overhead cables and it is self-supporting up to 220 feet (68 m).
The company says the cable is physically smaller than competing cables and weighs 23 kg (51 lbs) per kilometer, which facilitates manual handling. The ADSS range offers a high fiber count options, available with between 4-12 fibers in the 6-mm cable and 24-36 fibers in the 7-mm version.
Ruggedized, crush resistant, and flexible, the ADSS cable can be easily bent round obstacles without affecting performance, m2fx says. It operates reliably in a wide range of environmental conditions, from -40 to +70 degrees C (-40 to 158 degrees F), wind speeds of 130 km/h (80 mph), and 5-mm radial ice loading. It is designed to provide more than 25 years of UV protection in direct sunlight in exposed outdoor deployments.
“Due to its complexity managing the last mile of broadband fiber deployments can significantly add to network roll-out time and costs,” said Tom Carpenter, CEO, m2fx. “At m2fx we’re dedicated to driving down the cost of these fiber installations, and the new all-dielectric self-supporting cable range clearly demonstrates the benefits that our approach brings. As it can be located near power lines it delivers flexibility to installers and through its combination of lightness and robustness it removes the need to strengthen existing aerial poles, delivering a faster return on investment for vital fiber roll-outs.”
Available now, the ADSS range is compatible with industry standard push-fit connectors, pigtail fittings, and fiber distribution enclosures.
For more information on fiber cable and suppliers, visit the Lightwave Buyer’s Guide.