By communicating with all operator systems Draka’s new software interface simplifies network engineering for FTTH broadband enterprises

DrakaXSNet Interface Module allows seamless integration with any network operator administration system to speed up registration and identification for community broadband groups

Amsterdam, June 3, 2010 –  Draka Communications, a global leader in the cabling and optical fiber industry, today announces a new software interface which links network operator administration systems with Draka’s FTTH network implementation suite DrakaXSNet. This added functionality, DrakaXSNet Interface Module (IM) seamlessly connects the customer and billing systems of network telecoms providers improving the efficiency and accuracy of FTTH registration and identification.  DrakaXSNet Interface Module has proven itself  an asset for network engineering in the recent deployment of a 6,000 subscriber FTTH network in the Netherlands.

Draka’s network implementation suite was instrumental in the successful deployment of CityNet, the largest FTTH infrastructure in The Netherlands with currently 40,000 customer connections. Now, the same automation benefits are possible for smaller  broadband  communities, many of which are local government driven projects requiring cost-effective deployment. Recently,  Draka’s design and planning software has helped streamline the deployment of the new FTTH network of Berkel and Rodenrijs, a village close to Rotterdam in the western Netherlands. The former municipality has a population of 23,000 and covers an area of 18.91 km² (7.30 square miles) of which 0.29 km² (0.11 square miles) consists of canals and waterways.

This suburb of Rotterdam completed a successful fiber rollout to 6,000 homes, a project managed by Van Gelder engineering consultants, with an ease and cost-accountability made possible by the use of Draka’s software suite.  Draka’s new interface facility ensured that linking the town’s new fiber infrastructure to the local network provider was a simple data transfer, without any manual intervention.

" With a single solution we facilitate network engineering and registration, consolidating up to 12 parameters related to each FTTH customer and transferring these instantly, without the need for manual intervention. For an engineering company like ours this increases productivity and eliminates errors. “ explains Tjabin van Bergen, Managing Director of Van Gelder Telecom. “  With Draka's software we have a single solution which is interoperable with any network operator system, and useable on all FTTH engineering projects. We now have considerable experience with this software tool, having completed two other projects of 9,000 and 3,000 connections in addition to  the village of Berkel and Rodenrijs."

“ Berkel and Rodenrijs proves that our design, planning and administration system is applicable to large-scale or smaller FTTH projects, always paying attention to TCO (Total Cost of Operations) “,  said Edgar Aker, Marketing Director, Draka Communications Telecommunications Solutions. “ DrakaXSNet Interface Module broadens the functionality of our software suite, to the benefit of network engineering companies involved in FTTH deployment.”

DrakaXSNet Interface Module transports all design data such as customer ID, location and registration so that customer provisioning can be achieved in a shorter time. The suite is a comprehensive, highly flexible package ideally suited to public and private sector network operators, community broadband groups and to contracting and installation companies. It is focused on reducing  total cost of ownership (TCO). This FTTH deployment solution is the outcome of Draka’s 20 years expertise in cable and network building projects around the world, providing a complete passive network building resource comprising network project design, planning, implementation and maintenance. This GIS suite is based upon a proven econometric model which results in lower costs and control over capital (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX).

As each FTTH project varies in size, shape and environment, intelligent,software tools integrated with the latest GIS technology are essential to standardize and automate the process of building and managing the entire supply chain. Draka’s software suite was originally developed to plan and manage copper cable networks in overseas environments involving as many as 1,500 components. As the average FTTH project, each unique, comprises some 500 components, the software has proven to accommodate with ease large or small  FTTH environments. This advanced implementation tool helps standardise the entire deployment process while giving fine control of the supply chain from product inventory through to the end consumer registration and identification.

Draka

Draka (Euronext Amsterdam: DRAK), headquartered in Amsterdam, has 9600 employees in countries worldwide and 2009 revenues of over € 2 billion. Draka has a presence in 31 countries in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australia.

Draka’s activities are divided into three groups: Energy & Infrastructure, Industry & Speciality and Communications. Draka Communications with its four business units, Telecom Solutions, Multimedia Specials, Optical Fiber and Cable Solutions is a global market leader in the development, production and sales of fibers, cables and advanced network solutions. More information at www.draka.com/communications

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Photo: Faster access means happy clients in new fast broadband communities.

The latest Interface Module addition to the Draka’s implementation suite has proven itself in by providing automatic, error-free data transfer of parameters of the 6,000 subscribers of the newly built FTTH network of the community of Berkel and Rodenrijs, close to Rotterdam in the Netherlands.