Nexans, parent company of Berk-Tek, has developed a cable for fiber-to-the-home applications that puts 1008 fibers inside a single sheath. The company describes the solution, which is part of its Kinoptic product line, as “particularly compact and will therefore help operators to implement their broadband strategies cost-effectively. This solution comprises up to 1008 optical fibers distributed across seven strands, which are in turn made of 12 microsheaths containing 12 fibers each.” Nexans says this cable doubles the capacity of other systems while increasing the cable diameter by only 15 percent. It is ideally suited for midspan applications, the company says.
Explaining the fiber-to-the-home deployment dynamics that have given rise to this cable’s development, Nexans says, “As increasingly densely populated cities place a heavy load on underground infrastructure, the mass deployment of FTTH networks requires careful consideration of how best to control investment in civil engineering works. Duct sharing, as recommended by regulators in several Western European countries, provides an answer to this problem. This results in the need for higher-capacity equipment at all stages of the transmission chain.” The company added that the 1008-fiber cable “is complemented with a specific range of high-density accessories.”
Raymond Voillat, vice president of sales and marketing operations with Nexans, noted, “The current challenge is to connect as many subscribers as possible while at the same time minimizing the impact of civil engineering works, which account for up to 80 percent of the FTTH infrastructure cost. With this high-density solution, we significantly reduce time on site for our customers.”
Nexans says the cable is flexible, tension-resistant and designed for easy installation. The microsheaths can be stripped by hand.