12. July 2023

4 Min read

    Contents

      Written by Andreas Rüsseler

      CMO of R&M

      More cables – more risks

      The security risks for public fiber optic networks are increasing. The enormous growth in the number of cables, street cabinets, enclosures, above-ground cables, and domestic cut-ons creates a higher risk potential.

      The risks range from improper handling, eavesdropping attempts, and disasters to vandalism and sabotage. Construction work is one of the most common causes of damage. If cables are not laid deep enough for cost reasons, they can easily be damaged during excavation work. Unfortunately, precise details about the location of the cables are often lacking.

      We have put together seven tips and recommendations for the comprehensive protection of public fiber optic networks. These can be implemented pragmatically if the necessary conditions are created in the project.

       

       

      1. Seamless documentation

      If you have a seamless and timely record of where and how cables have been laid and which points they connect, you can react in a targeted manner in the event of a failure. Failure scenarios, alarming/warning processes, maintenance intervals, measurement results, etc. should always be precisely documented. The infrastructure management software R&M inteliPhy net can help with this.

      1. Bending radii

      Optical fibers are sensitive to bending. Bends that are too severe and too frequent dampen signal transmission. During installation, strict attention must be paid to the bending radius of the cables and sufficient fiber reserves for future maintenance work.

      1. Dust and water

      Fiber-optic connections must be dust-free, as dust interferes with the transmission of light at the contacts. Moisture can also have a detrimental effect. In underground line construction, longitudinally watertight cables with fillings made of gel or spring yarn should be used. Blind-mating solutions, such as the HEC coupling from R&M, help to prevent dirt ingress in above-ground cable laying.

      1. Reinforcement

      Cables may be touched during groundwork or attacked by rodents. Strong reinforcement in the cable jacket and resistant pipes provide protection. R&M provides advice on the evaluation of suitable material. Our cable plant manufactures reinforced cables for laying underground and above-ground cables.

      1. Access

      Cabins, shafts, and raised floor distributors must be locked in such a way that only authorized persons can open them. At safety-critical premises, we recommend the following:

      • Additional armor
      • Impact-resistant housing
      • Fences with barbed wire crowns
      • Lowered pipes

      1. Redundancy

      When active and passive redundancy in the fiber optic network is planned with foresight, downtime can be minimized. Downtime can be avoided automatically.

      1. Eavesdrop protection

      Optical fibers can be tapped using optical splitters or bending couplers. With active fiber monitoring (AFM) or OTDR measuring, changes in light transmission can be localized over long distances.

      To fully exploit the potential of public fiber optic networks, it is important to take into account the recommendations for cable protection from the outset. Safety risks can be minimized as early as the planning phase. We recommend, among other things:

      • Precise planning of civil engineering works
      • Training of specialists, construction companies, and project managers
      • Clear coordination with authorities, municipalities, utilities, and owners

      R&M experts for public fiber optic networks, FTTH infrastructures, and above-ground cable laying will be happy to help.

      Discover the R&M solutions for fiber optic broadband networks here.