Openreach has decided to utilize three of AFL’s FlexScan FS200 OTDR models for verifying and maintaining Openreach’s growing fiber network.
“The dual-wavelength FlexScan FS200-300 was approved for installation verification at 1310 and 1550 nm wavelengths. For Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) Live PON troubleshooting using 1625 nm wavelength, Openreach selected the single-wavelength FlexScan FS200-60. The FlexScan FS200-303 was approved for technicians performing both installation verification and Live PON troubleshooting using 1310, 1550, and 1625 nm wavelengths.”
“We selected AFL’s FlexScan family because of their ease-of-use and performance in a compact, lightweight but rugged form factor ideally suited for our workforce in field test applications,” explained Openreach’s Fiber Innovations Specialist Engineer, Tim Wyatt. “For years AFL has been a trusted Openreach vendor for reliable, handheld optical light sources, power meters and optical fiber identifiers.”
All OTDR models have an integrated Optical Light Source and Power Meter included to support power and insertion loss measurements. Both Source and Power Meter functionality support Wave ID, which is AFL’s way of communicating wavelength information over the fiber to prevent test setup errors and lower test time. FlexScan OTDRs also have USB, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi interfaces to allow for workflow management and results transfer to Openreach’s Operations Support Systems (OSS).
“We are delighted to expand the suite of test and inspection products AFL provides to Openreach, helping them to efficiently deploy and maintain their FTTP network in response to customers’ demand for faster broadband,” stated Al Swanson, General Manager for AFL’s Splicer and Test Equipment business unit.
