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
A two-person crew can place the pathway and the fiber in one pass without any carpentry work. tenants compared with traditional race- way, crown molding or microduct solu- tions. Moreover, the pathways are small and paintable, allowing them to blend into just about any décor. Te hallway solution is a flexible, adhesive-backed, surface-mount indoor drop cable and cable pathway system that is installed simultaneously in just one pass around the perimeter of an MDU hallway. Te low-profile duct combines the pathway and fiber drop cable in one solution, eliminating the two-step process of building a cable pathway and pulling cable. Tis results in an installation savings of up to 35 percent per floor. Te hallway solution addresses many of the challenges of traditional horizon- tal optical cabling solutions. Because the pathway uses bend-insensitive 900 µm fiber as the medium to distribute fiber optic services, the pathway itself can be made smaller than traditional optical cable pathway solutions, which are de- signed to contain multiple 2 mm, 3 mm or 5 mm jacketed cables. Tis makes the system more discreet and less noticeable to residents. Te in-living-unit pathway delivers triple-play services inside a residence and can be used with or without the hallway solution. Like the hallway solution, the in-living-unit solution is easy to install on virtually any wall surface, including painted concrete where stapling cables isn't possible. Two-person crews can quickly and easily install the pathways using a hand- held, pole-mounted tool. Te tool re- moves the liner from the adhesive back- ing on the duct and places the pathway containing the internal fibers on the wall, all in one quick and easy motion. An exclusive 3M adhesive bonds the product to virtually any wall surface, including painted concrete. Because adhesive is used to mount the pathway to the wall, installation is less disruptive than traditional methods. No stapling, hammering, sawing or carpentry work is needed. Te in-building network is con- nected using the 3M No Polish Connec- tor. Te connector consists of a factory- polished connector assembly with an integrated mechanical splice, enabling fast, on-site installation of 900 µm fiber. Installation of the connector does not require a power source, which is often difficult to find in MDU hallways. Be- cause power is not needed, cords do not need to be run through hallways dur- ing installation, eliminating a potential safety hazard to residents. Globally, ser- vice providers have deployed more than 20 million mechanical splices and con- nectors in indoor and outdoor environ- ments with proven reliability. In other words, the connector supports high- quality service and very rarely, if ever, contributes to service problems. SUMMARY Market research clearly shows that MDU residents, both owners and renters, desire FTTH service. Building owners and managers want it, too, because FTTH clearly adds value to a property. Yet it's been slow in coming to older properties because of concerns about cost, disrup- tions during construction and aesthetic impact. However, as service providers in- creased their emphasis on passing MDUs with fiber optic services, suppliers re- sponded with products addressing both provider and end-user concerns. Te evo- lution of key network components led to a game-changing solution that makes FTTH deployment in multiple-dwelling units fast, easy and low-cost. Best of all, some solutions are virtually invisible, greatly reducing or eliminating the visual impact of installed fiber. Tese solutions are clearing the barriers for fiber deploy- ment in MDUs. Learn more about the 3M Total Package at www.3M.com/OnePass. Y OCTOBER 2012 | www.broadbandcommunities.com | BROADBAND COMMUNITIES | 31