Amsterdam, September 28, 2011 – Draka, part of the Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry, today announces that as part of its commitment to European rural broadband initiatives it will provide design analysis and simulation studies for small communities needing to build a strong business case to fund superfast broadband projects. As governments increasingly realize that superfast broadband can help local economies, developing a solid business case is essential to win available funding for local infrastructure projects.
“We have been impressed by the enthusiasm from community initiatives such as Project Golden Thread in Kent in the UK, to connect themselves to fast broadband backbones,” said Edgar Aker, Business Development Manager, Prysmian Group, Telecom Solutions. “Following our continuing support of the NextGen Broadband roadshow around 6 towns and villages in the UK and Northern Ireland we perceive that one of the keys to success lies in need to establish a solid business case based upon return on investment (ROI). Today, we are committing to offer Draka’s network design software and experience to benefit local communities”.
“ FTTH is the only future-proof solution for symmetrical ultrahigh bandwidth network, in contrary to VDSL, and satellite transmission which is extremely asymmetrical, requiring large dishes needed true, useable bandwidth.”
Rural community action for fibre infrastructure (passive network) projects began in Finland and Sweden in the early years of 2000. Scandinavia was the pioneer for inhabitants to take matters in their own hands and build their own FTTH infrastructure. “ With the right tools, passive fibre networks are environment-friendly, quick and non-disruptive to install, especially for rural communites, “ explains Edgar Aker. “ They can last between 20-30 years, enabling the active network to be future proofed against technology change. It’s essential to think long term, minimum 20 years, with an investment model similar to of the real estate industry.”
Future proofing a network
The service side (content providers) of a network infrastructure constantly changes and develops as network technologies progress. If enough attention is given to specifying the right passive infrastructure, it can last between 20-30 years, enabling the active network to be future proofed for three to four years. From a business case perspective, cost calculation should focus The service side (content providers) of a network infrastructure constantly changes and develops as network technologies progress. If enough attention is given to specifying the right passive infrastructure, it can last between 20-30 years, enabling the active network to be future proofed for three to four years. From a business case perspective, cost calculation should focus on the passive layer, using accurate design and planning to reduce CAPEX (capital expenditure) and OPEX (operational expenditure).
Smarter software
Deploying design and planning software and installing the latest products and innovations minimises the risk of surprises and significantly lowers the total cost of operations ( TCO). Draka design and planning software creates the most cost effective and efficient network by automating, sequencing and simplifying components and processes. By incorporating intelligent mathematical algorithms, users can change parameters and design various network concepts within minutes. This removes the ‘guesswork’ for material requirements, eliminating the need to redo preliminary drawings or cost calculations when a project gets the go-ahead.
The right design keeps costs under control, while optimisation tools ensure that the exact quantities of materials are ordered. By employing a smart planning approach, digital information can be used to analyse and visualise various network scenarios ( in Google Earth) quickly and easily. Additionally, survey information can be used to create detailed lists, drawings, working reports and schematics.
Draka’s network implementation suite was instrumental in the successful FTTH showcase of CityNet in Amsterdam, currently with 40,000 connections. The same automation benefits are applicable to smaller broadband communities. Draka helped streamline the deployment of the new 6000 connection FTTH network for a small town close to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The company recently signed a consulting agreement with the city of Biberach in Germany to help extend and maintain its fibre network. Draka also signed an agreement with atesio, a Berlin-based research institute with powerful computing tools to visualise FTTH networks of thousands of dwellings in Google Earth.
Prysmian Group
Prysmian Group is world leader in the energy and telecom cables and systems industry. With sales of some €7 billion (pro-forma 2010 Prysmian/Draka) and 22,000 employees across 50 countries and 98 plants, the Group is strongly positioned in high-tech markets and provides the widest range of products, services, technologies and know-how. In the Energy sector, Prysmian Group operates in the business of underground and submarine power transmission cables and systems, special cables for applications in many different industrial sectors and medium and low voltage cables for the construction and infrastructure industry. In the Telecom sector, the Group manufactures cables and accessories for the voice, video and data transmission industry, producing optical fibres, optical cables and connectivity. Prysmian is listed on the Milan Stock Exchange in the Blue Chip index.
More information: www.draka.com/communications and www.prysmiangroup.com
Media Relations Telecom Business | Telecom Solutions
Lorenzo Caruso Thea Dullemans
Communication Director Marketing Communications
Ph. 0039 02 6449.1 Ph. 00 31 20 568 9855
lorenzo.caruso@prysmian.com thea.dullemans@draka.com