One of the biggest topics of discussion regarding 5G is the need for fiber. Due to latency and bandwidth demands, fiber must be further out in the network. Depending on the equipment and services, the number of fibers per 5G site varies…but some fiber must be at each site. Getting large amounts of fiber out to these sites is a daunting task that can involve permitting, road construction, coordination and labor. Once the 5G fiber is deployed, fiber cables must then attach to radios, providing the 5G services.
Simplifying this process reduces installation…as well as restoration…time in your 5G deployments.
1. Radically Simplify the Overall Project
Clearfield® brings fiber to anywhere, with the ability to satisfy the unique deployment needs of the service provider, engineer and network designer. Our simplicity in design delivers cost-effective, technician-friendly solutions. Coupled with the flexibility to deploy the product platform in a full range of fiber applications – including FTTX, cell backhaul, distributed antenna, node collapse or other premise and commercial environments – we can get your wireless project going quickly.
An example of our product simplicity is the Clearview® Cassette. Designed to handle the toughest operating environments, the Clearview Cassette provides flexibility and reliable performance within the inside plant, outside plant and access networks. All types of fiber cable construction can integrate within these fiber cassettes to support all patch only, patch-and-splice, passive optical component hardware and plug-and-play scenarios.
2. Reduce Radio Turn Up Time
Plug-and-play technology significantly speeds up a 5G fiber build. Instead of conventional splices, plug-and-play technology uses outside plant rated connections. This creates an opportunity for saving time not only during initial turn-up, but also when troubleshooting or operational moves, adds and changes occur. With plug-and-play, instead of placing splice closures throughout the access network that require a trained splicing technician to open and splice, we place a terminal, which is essentially a sealed patch field that almost anyone can patch into, by using a terminated fiber drop cable.
An application we expect to see for 5G is the use of terminals similar to how traditional FTTH gets deployed. In this case, the fiber tail of the terminal splices to a distribution cable passing through the serving area during the initial installation. To turn up a radio, a non-splicing technician can install an LC Duplex patch cable from the terminal to each radio. Installation may not have to occur during a service window because it is not necessary to open a splice case and manipulate fibers currently not in service. The terminal is a separate, safe location to connect fiber into the network without a chance of harming other critical circuits on the distribution fiber.
3. Limit Restoration Time
Storms, construction errors and accidental damage will occur…both when deploying 5G fiber and after…and at all hours of the day or night. Limiting restoration time not only cut costs, but reduces customers’ frustration when service is down. Using craft-friendly products limits the need for highly trained technicians and gets customers up and running faster.
Our FieldShield D-ROP cable has the same footprint as a flat drop cable, with the added advantage of restorability. With D-ROP, a technician uses a kit to easily repair microduct after an accidental fiber cut. Then the technician installs a new pushable assembly, minimizing costs and time to restore the service outage. This provides a completely protected pathway from the access point directly to the premise, business or antenna.
As you look for ways of simplifying your wireless projects, we invite you to reach out to Clearfield. We have tons of experience with wireless deployments and are happy to help.