Wetzikon, July 2008
Fiber to the Building: 100 Mbit/s Internet service straight to the home/Secure and efficient with Venus Box from R&M. NetCologne, one of Germany’s largest regional carriers, is building one of Europe’s fastest data networks in Cologne, a center for the trade fair and media industries. Operations have now commenced in the initial expansion areas covered by the new optical fiber network. They offer Internet access with capabilities up to 100 Mbit/s. This makes it possible for NetCologne to wire quickly and efficiently with the new small-scale Venus FML splitter from R&M.
Cologne is one of the first European cities to have a full-coverage FTTB high-performance network (FTTB = Fiber to the Building). With this new direct access via optical fiber, the regional carrier NetCologne can supply products that were previously not possible at this location. Data is transferred at a bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s, making the transmission rate many times faster than the fastest Internet access available to private customers today. Thus, NetCologne is now offering a network suitable for new applications like IPTV and streaming in HDTV quality. This network expansion is also viewed as a long-term investment and platform for future applications.
The project creates a high-performance network while enabling fiber optic cables to be laid into each building using the new Venus Box FML from R&M. The fine distribution of fiber optics is an arduous task. With its Venus family, R&M is helping to make progress towards this goal so that the various districts of the city and industrial sites are as densely interconnected as possible. This is a decisive factor in the quick setup of next-generation broadband networks. Within the buildings, NetCologne utilizes the cabling already in place to make the VDSL protocol available to individual apartments, offices and businesses.
The small special Venus Box FML housing offers space and protection for up to five fiber optic terminations. They can be installed in just a few easy steps, allowing NetCologne to progress quickly and efficiently with the network terminations in this project.
Various fiber optic connector systems can be mounted on the Venus Box support to give the user greater flexibility. NetCologne was one of the first carriers to use high-performance LC APC fiber optic connectors, which have just recently been standardized. The LC APC was integrated in December 2007 in the European Cabling Norm EN 50173 as the standard transition point for buildings.
Improved fiber protection was a major consideration in product development. The housing meets the IP54 protection criteria in its imperviousness to dust and spray water. It also remains highly resistant to weathering for at least 20 years. If you want to move the box, the cover remains closed so the fiber optic connections need not be interrupted. Snap-in cams hold the cover open wide during maintenance on the connectors so the installer is free to do his work.
NetCologne intends to expand the fiber optic network across the entire city over the next five years. In 2008 alone, about 10’000 buildings will be connected to the high-speed network. Everything is being done with maximum efficiency. For example, any civil engineering work that is required to expand the network is limited to one-day construction sites. The company is investing about EUR 125 million in the expansion of the network. As a major media center, Cologne will benefit by having one of the most modern telecommunication systems in Europe. Further new jobs will be created in Cologne as a result as more and more companies want to utilize the advantages of Cologne as a business location.
The Product
Miniaturized distribution systems clear the way for Fiber To The Building (FTTB) and Fiber To The Home (FTTH).The Swiss cable specialist R&M (www.rdm.com) assists network operators at this level with the Venus Box FML. The newly developed and extremely small special housing can be used as a transition point to residential and commercial buildings. The box offers space and protection for up to five fiber optic terminations. With the Venus Box FML, network operators can push broad-based fiber optic cabling at minimum installation costs.
The last few meters to the subscriber have specific small distributor requirements. The components must be particularly adaptable and resistant. They are subjected to harsh environmental conditions. The solution from R&M is called Venus. The variable housing system made of sturdy plastic is internationally well-proven in classic telephone networks with copper cabling. It can be mounted quickly and easily on buildings, it saves space, its design is discreet and it is suitable for any climate.
With its Venus Box FLA, R&M offers a larger model for fiber optic cabling. It accommodates up to 72 spliced-through fibers or up to 24 inserted connections. Hybrid installations can also be implemented. The new Venus Box FML is intended for additional fine distribution. It contains up to five fiber terminations and a specially designed splice cassette with a bending radius of 40 mm that is gentle on the fiber. The adapter support is compatible with R&M's E-2000™, SC, FC and ST R&M connector systems and with E-2000™ Compact, SC Compact and LC Duplex (*) connector systems.
Comprehensive fiber protection was a major consideration in product development. That is why the points of attachment were positioned in the outside feet. Thus, no dust falls into the box when it is mounted on building walls. The connectors need not be disconnected when the box is moved or detached. An additional cover protects the splices and connectors inside. An additional security factor: the interior cover can be sealed at two points. The housing meets the IP54 protection criteria in its imperviousness to dust and spray water. The cover can be secured with a cylinder lock. An opening angle of 130° and snap-in cams facilitate access and thus installation and maintenance.
The Venus family is suitable for any climate. The housing consists of UV-stabilized ASA (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate). This material is also used in the car industry, in sports and recreation materials, and in various installations. It remains highly resistant to weathering, aging and bleaching for at least 20 years. It is impact- and scratch-resistant and temperature-stable in the range of -40° C to +85° C. (*) E-2000™, manufactured under license from Diamond SA, Losone
The Background
Next Generation Networks pose big challenges to carriers: They must update extensive areas of their networks or efficiently push ahead the migration to IP or even configure completely new infrastructures in order to remain competitive in a highly dynamic convergent environment and develop new market opportunities. R&M assists carriers with the impending changes and the roll-out of new services by providing end-to-end modular solutions for all levels of the passive infrastructure.
Classic telecommunications networks were planned and implemented for specific services, such as telephony or pure data transmission. The traditional view of the telecom industry has been fundamentally changed by growing competition, new market requirements and technological developments. Broadband connections, convergence processes and new network designs characterize the trends in the current market. Internet Protocol (IP) is the key integration factor on the road to Next Generation Networks (NGNs) because it is a uniform standard worldwide and is suitable for nearly all services and applications. The advantage of IP networks is their flexibility and the fact that new applications can be integrated relatively easily. For many carriers, the current structural change in the market ushers in a difficult to calculate transition phase in terms of technology and business. In most cases, there is no silver bullet for short-term entry into the all-IP world (except to install completely new networks).
It is all the more important to have layer-1 infrastructures that support legacy networks as well as the new network designs. They must offer the carriers the required flexibility, investment security, and cost efficiency with regard to cabling.
The R&M solutions for carriers are modular-based and suitable for network operators of every size, for every topology and strategy. The portfolio extends from central office and hub solutions through products for main and distribution networks, to small distributors, splitters and WDMs specially developed for xDSL and FTTx applications. All systems and components are compatible and can be installed, expanded, managed and maintained with little effort. With them, network operators can implement their modernization and migration projects as required, either immediately and completely or gradually, allowing them to respond appropriately to different market scenarios.
Central offices: greater availability and quicker response with
Fiber Optic Management from R&M
R&M’s Fiber Optic Management System (FOMsystem) is tailored to the requirements of central network facilities and developed for connections, termination and distribution installations in high-speed fiber optic networks. Up to 960 fibers can be terminated, interconnected or distributed conveniently and quickly with this system. Thus, fiber optic network expansions and modifications can be implemented easily on site and during operation. The cabinet and rack elements can be adapted to any spatial situation and are suitable for cramped collocation sites.
R&M has installed a gentle mechanism as a patch cord guide. Laterally arranged patch cord chains advance when the patch panel is opened and stabilize the cord. The controlled horizontal and vertical patch cord management provides clarity and reliability even if the 24-hour network operation should “heat up”.
Flexibility and operational reliability also have priority in the 19” distributors and patch panels for central offices and hubs. R&M designed the panels for the patching of fiber optic distributors for reliability and easy handling. Additional features of the patch panels are a professional bending radius limitation, a clear cable guide and cable identification, liberal loose tubes and pigtail reserves as well as a low installation depth.
High-quality connectors are another key factor for the Next Generation Networks. Their mechanical and optical precision has an essential effect on bandwidth and network performance. R&M assists the carriers with the E-2000™ family of connectors, among others. Today, R&M is one of only three manufacturers worldwide to manufacture this standardized high-performance connector (manufactured under license from Diamond SA, Losone). With the E-2000™ Compact, R&M has the world’s smallest connector of this class in its range. Its shape corresponds to the RJ45 style and allows a higher packing density in distribution systems.
Access networks: modular solutions from R&M for xDSL and FTTx applications
The efficient use of Next Generation Networks and the market success of new services will rise and fall with high-performance access networks. Besides central office and hub solutions, R&M also supplies modular solutions for xDSL and FTTx applications. Carriers can use them to push broad-based broadband supply and set up performance reserves more quickly.
With its FiberCurb II product line, R&M provides carriers with a solution for the low-vibration connection and distribution of main and branch cables in point-to-point or point-to-multipoint fiber optic network topologies. Places of installation are outdoor distributors and cross connection cabinets (CCC). The FiberCurb II module is designed for up to twelve fiber terminations that can be spliced to connector outlets or directly to patch cords as required. Optic splitters can also be integrated. With a minimum bending radius of 40 millimeters, the module offers increased reliability in distribution cabinets and outdoor distributors.
The FTTx splice closures from R&M for outside fine distribution, whether below or above ground, accommodate up to 144 splice connections in a very small space. Additional features are tool-free installation, gradual connection of connection cables and a long-term stable closure system with reusable seals that complies with IP68 protection index requirements. If necessary, the closure can be sealed or fitted with a lock. Protecting cables against mechanical loads is particularly important when working outside. That is why the FTTx splice closures have a special access ring that ensures the requisite tension relief. Despite their compact construction, the splice closures have space for PLC splitters.
Carriers, network planners and technicians all insist that fiber optic installations must become simpler. This is an absolutely justified demand which R&M satisfies with the VARIOline complete plug-in solution. R&M assembles VARIOline to customer specification and eliminates fiber splicing on the construction site.
The system is suitable for indoor and outdoor cabling systems, even in harsh environments, and is so robust it can even be drawn into pipes and shafts in frosty conditions. A resistant pull-in tube that is attached to the cable jacket with a Dutch screw joint and that can be removed twist-free, protects the fiber ends and connectors. A special fan-out cable fixes the loose tubes in place and ensures a load-free fiber guide.
R&M provides VARIOline with two to 24 fibers on the basis of gel-filled loose tubes. Planners can prepare individual configurations via a spreadsheet program. They determine the application and length of the planned cabling, the type and number of fibers and connectors as well as the whip length. After assembling the entire cabling connection in the R&M plant in Wetzikon, Switzerland, every fiber is checked for its transmission quality (attenuation value); every VARIOline cabling unit includes a measuring protocol.
Fiber to the Home und Fiber to the Building: Venus Boxes clear the way
Fiber optics into every home? R&M has developed quick-to-install solutions so that carriers can take this hurdle, too. Small distributors in Venus Boxes are clearing the way in Fiber to the Building (FTTB) and Fiber to the Home (FTTH) architectures. Thus, future-capable, broadband network access can be implemented dynamically and at short notice. For carriers, this is an opportunity to flexibly place the plethora of new network services on the market.
The Venus Boxes are installed with compact and small-sized fiber optic distributors in or on buildings. They protect network transitions from environmental influences while forming the transition point to in-house cabling.
The Companies
Reichle & De-Massari AG
R&M (www.rdm.com) is an independent family-owned Swiss company with more than 40 years of experience in the information and communication technology market. In development and manufacturing, the company focuses on future-oriented passive cabling solutions for communication networks (Layer 1). R&M has earned the reputation of a leader in quality, offering added value with its excellent products in the fields of copper wiring and fiber optics. The system solutions set benchmarks in modularity as well as in installation and maintenance convenience. R&M implements solutions for customers in the business segments Public und Private Networks.
R&M is headquartered in Wetzikon, Switzerland. Subsidiaries have been established in Germany, Dubai, Italy, Austria, Poland, Singapore and Hungary. Qualified distribution partners look after customers in many other countries around the globe. R&M achieves 75% of its sales abroad – and this percentage is rising. The company is fully owned by the Reichle family and has about 650 employees on its payroll. Here too, the trend is growing. Martin and Peter Reichle as CEO and COO, respectively, run the dynamic company in the second generation together with Hans-Peter Legler, COO, and Martin Gasser, CFO, ensuring the successive further development of the innovative product range in line with the highest quality standards.
NetCologne
With 600000 telephone, Internet and cable-TV customers, NetCologne is an outstanding network operator in the Cologne region and firmly established in the market. The company has a market share of 50% in DSL connections. NetCologne has been a subsidiary of the local energy utility group since 1994 and has more than 700 employees. It has consistently utilized the opportunities arising from market deregulation. Its strategic strengths include: own network, full range covering phone, Internet and TV, use of innovative technology and consistent focus on the regional market with its approx. three million inhabitants. NetCologne has been building up the high-performance CityNetCologne network in downtown Cologne since 2006, which allows Internet connections operating at speeds up to 100 Mbit/s. The overall network comprises about 2765 km of fiber optic cable, 590 km of coaxial cable and 779 km of copper cable.