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.
Issue link: https://bbcmag.epubxp.com/i/90470
ready wired with multiple cable media, creating congestion in both riser and horizontal pathways. Adding conduits, pulling new fiber cables within walls or above ceilings and creating new cable pathways increase cost. Tese necessary additions can also require access to customer living space prior to a service activation request, and some tenants or homeowners may per- ceive the service provider as unnecessar- ily intrusive. Perhaps not surprisingly, building owners and homeowner associations (HOAs) have been barriers, too. Tey have been hesitant to approve installa- tions of apparatus and cable that, be- cause of aesthetics, might permanently reduce the value of their properties and homes. From a short-term perspective, building owners and HOAs understand- ably want to avoid construction noise and keep other disruptions to a mini- mum. Complaints from tenants and ho- meowners are not good for business. Building owners are hesitant to approve installations that, because of aesthetics, might permanently reduce the value of their properties. TRADITIONAL INSTALLATION METHODS In new construction, communications cables are planned for in advance and are often hidden behind building walls. Older buildings, however, require cable pathway creation techniques that are aesthetically pleasing to owners and ten- ants. Durable, long-lasting installations and high-quality service are paramount. From a service provider perspective, these cable pathways must be cost-effective. One common cable pathway cre- ation method involves the use of rigid crown moldings offset 1 to 2 inches from the ceiling. Jacketed drop cables are tucked behind the moldings and concealed from view. Tough this is of- ten the most aesthetically pleasing op- tion, it is also one of the most costly and disruptive to install. Another alternative is to use two- piece plastic square latch molding con- sisting of a base and a cover. Tese prod- ucts are somewhat lower cost but still require significant custom fitting during installation because the molding is sold in standard lengths. To place cables in- side them requires removing and replac- ing the covers. In a 300-foot or longer hallway, the time and effort involved is considerable. Te use of microducts behind walls and above ceilings is also a common OCTOBER 2012 | www.broadbandcommunities.com | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | 29