BROADBAND COMMUNITIES is the leading source of information on digital and broadband technologies for buildings and communities. Our editorial aims to accelerate the deployment of Fiber-To-The-Home and Fiber-To-The-Premises.
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60 | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | www.broadbandcommunities.com | OCTOBER 2014 MDU REPORT Taking Fiber to the Living Unit – Invisibly Cost-efectively connecting fber to in-room ONTs requires overcoming concerns about aesthetics, speed of installation, cost and fexibility. By Kathleen Terryll / TE Connectivity O ptical fber continues to gain popularity as the best broadband medium for future-proofng against higher and faster capacity requirements by end users. In fact, many market analysts and consulting groups have concluded that the existence of optical connectivity in multiple- dwelling-unit properties (MDUs), ofce buildings and even single-family homes increases property value. Although the telecommunications industry was quick to fgure out new solutions to take fber into ofce buildings and living units, it also identifed a host of inefciencies and concerns along the way. As the old English proverb says, "Necessity is the mother of invention." Terefore, new innovations have cleared the way for optical fber to reach end users at every desk and work station. Tese innovations include new feature- rich fber distribution hubs (FDHs), fber distribution terminals (FDTs), optical network terminals (ONTs) and other components designed specifcally for indoor use. Tese designs are small and compact to accommodate tighter, less conspicuous spaces within MDUs and other buildings. Incorporating spooling technology within these indoor units, such as TE Connectivity's RapidReel fber cable spool, allows installers to simply pay out the exact amount of fber required; any excess remains on the reel. Reduced-bend-radius fber has played a tremendous role in making many indoor solutions simpler to implement between foors and units. Plug-and-play connectivity continues to improve fexibility and reduce installation times for deploying fber in MDUs and large ofce complexes. Most of these innovations are the result of installation experience and of owner feedback falling on the listening ears of equipment manufacturers. Some of the greatest challenges involve installing fber in rooms and living areas in both greenfeld and brownfeld deployments. Tere are several new design and installation technologies for completing the fnal leg of optical fber to end users that address the ongoing installation concerns of faster, smaller, simpler, less-disruptive and aesthetically pleasing solutions demanded by installers, building owners and residents. INVISIBLE FIBER A new technique has been developed for "invisibly" getting fber from the faceplate, or the point at which fber enters the living unit, to the fnal termination point of the indoor ONT. Known as thermal adhesive coated (TAC) fber, this installation system enables fast, fexible, discreet deployment of fber optic cable in indoor environments. A single installer uses a lightweight, portable, handheld tool to quickly and easily route the transparent 900-micron fber around baseboards, windows and trim work. Te fber microcable passes through the tip of the handheld device, which is heated. Te heat slightly melts the adhesive coating on the