Lightweight, robust construction reduces cost of last mile aerial FTTH deployments

New York, 31 March 2014 - m2fx, the inventors and producers of the world-leading range of patented Miniflex™ fiber cables today launched its new All Dielectric Self Supporting (ADSS) cable. Designed to speed up the last mile of Fiber to the Home (FTTH) and Fiber to the Cabinet (FTTC) deployments, ADSS’s ultra lightweight yet durable construction means it can use existing poles and fittings, without expensive and time consuming survey, planning and remedial civil works or the need for costly blowing equipment. The high fiber count cable speeds up installations, allowing more deployments per day, thus reducing costs and increasing Return on Investment (ROI).

By using pre-existing infrastructure, the ADSS cable range is particularly suitable for crowded urban areas, reducing the need to close roads and minimizing disruption to cities and homeowners. Due to its all dielectric construction it can be safely located near high voltage overhead cables, and it is self-supporting up to 220 feet (68 meters).

While physically smaller than competing cables and weighs just 23kg (51 lbs) per kilometer, enabling easily manual handling, the ADSS range offers a high fiber count. It is available with between 4-12 fibers in the 6mm cable and 24-36 fibers in the 7mm version.

As it is ruggedized, crush resistant and flexible the ADSS cable can be easily bent round obstacles without impacting performance, and is designed to provide 25 years plus of UV protection in direct sunlight, making it ideal for exposed outdoor deployments. It operates reliably in a wide range of environmental conditions, from -40 to +70 degrees centigrade, (-40 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit) wind speeds of 130 km/h (80 mph) and 5mm radial ice loading.

“Due to its complexity managing the last mile of broadband fiber deployments can significantly add to network roll-out time and costs,” said Tom Carpenter, CEO, m2fx Limited. “At m2fx we’re dedicated to driving down the cost of these fiber installations, and the new All Dielectric Self Supporting cable range clearly demonstrates the benefits that our approach brings. As it can be located near power lines it delivers flexibility to installers and through its combination of lightness and robustness it removes the need to strengthen existing aerial poles, delivering a faster Return on Investment for vital fiber roll-outs.”

The ADSS cable is based on m2fx’s field proven, metallic, self-supporting aerial cable, over 21,000 fiber km (13,000 miles) of which has been successful deployed within FTTx installations in both rural and urban environments.

Available now, the ADSS range is compatible with industry standard push-fit connectors, ‘pig tail’ fittings and fiber distribution enclosures, ensuring a seamless, straightforward deployment. For more information download the ADSS datasheet.