Draka focuses on Total Cost of Ownership to validate FTTH investments

“ Many governments have announced new investments in greener infrastructure, including FTTH, to lay the foundations for a stronger economy in the coming years. In 2009 we take the guesswork out of installing the passive FTTH layer infrastructure to move the industry to a high level of financial accountability and to accommodate concerns of investors.” says Karel Helsen, VP Broadband, Draka Communications. “We are confident that in these financially challenging times, Draka now presents the most comprehensive solution to meet the needs of partnerships involved in building next generation networks”.

Network roll-out is by far the most expensive part of deploying an FTTH infrastructure. Draka’s planned solutions are not only cost-optimised in terms of materials used in the network, but also for the costs of implementation. This year Draka concentrates on the bottom line through an expansive FTTH passive deployment approach composed of smart software, friendly fiber, new duct technology and time saving connectivity products. Draka provides a holistic view which takes into account multiple cost parameters and metrics that are tailored to meet the unique local conditions of each FTTH project.

” With European investment forecasts up to € 45 billion for FTTH out-build in Europe by 2015 and governments and local authorities re-building infrastructure that will be key for job regeneration, now is the right time to focus on the cost metrics of passive infrastructure. “ says Karel Helsen. “The current global crisis will simply accelerate the shift from packaged material to digital consumption, creating even more demand for bandwidth through optical fiber, the only long-term technology worth investing in.”

Over the last year Draka has re-engineered the entire FTTH value chain to ensure the most cost effective fiber delivery per consumer. According to Draka researchers, next generation network materials infrastructure expenditure accounts for between 15-20% of a total FTTH project. Draka’s current approach can manage CAPEX and OPEX to reduce the total cost of operations throughout the passive value chain.

One challenge is that no two FTTH projects are the same, as local city/municipality conditions vary considerably from one to another.The requirements of Amsterdam with its canals, Paris with its sewers and London with a vast underground labyrinth create radically different deployment challenges.

“ Draka’s approach brings our experience of installations in major cities to benefit the partners in a project consortium by providing deployment solutions for most circumstances while applying a higher degree of standardization, predictability and deployment practice for all participants,“ says Karel Helsen.

Draka presents a combination of innovative cables and ducts and new connectivity products which can be integrated with intelligent planning software. DrakaXSNet, which is now active in large-scale projects such as CityNet in Amsterdam and other Dutch cities, comprises four modules. A design module helps map networks and produce a breakdown of materials and labour resources. Project management software controls the entire planning process. Network registration supervises all connections across the installation, essential for future maintenance. And planning software details project addresses, house registration details, digging and installation permits while providing an automatic messaging service between all project consortium partners.

Draka’s friendly, bend-insensitive fibers impact the entire connectivity cost economics of an FTTH system. The introduction of BendBrightXS and its colour identifiable version ColorLockXS has resulted in an entire miniaturization phase in fiber deployment as these fibers can be safely bent and handled under cramped conditions without losing transmission characteristics. They save costs through easier handling, durability and long term resistance even for the most difficult of terrains.

This year Draka introduces new Outside Plant and Inside Plant Solutions. A ducting system for every situation comprises thick-walled micro-ducts that are self protecting. Unlike other thick wall products, they are available in different configurations to suit the terrain. Thick walled micro-ducts offer high impact resistance and have proven to be easier for branching cables These new ducts can be configured in multiple formats, and glued into the most appropriate configuration to suit local cable laying requirements.

Last year Draka introduced a portable, pre-fabricated PoP that can be dropped by crane in to FTTH infrastructures to provide a secure facility that simply plugs in to a high density fiber network serving a local community of customers. They are pre-designed and fitted before dropping in to a location.

This year Draka also adds to the equation a new generation of metal-free plastic armoured direct buried cables riser cables that make it easier to pull out a cable for a house to branch floor connections. These riser and floor distribution systems enable backup ducts and cables as replacements for eventual damages and extensions to a home network, as well as low ongoing maintenance costs.