Alcatel Tests New Optical Micro Cabling Technology

Alcatel tested a newly developed optical micro cabling technology that proved capable of installing a fiber optic cable route of approximately 20,000 ft (6.1 km) in slightly under an hour and a half. The technique involves blowing specially designed fiber optic cables into small microducts placed inside empty or partially filled ducts. The cable was installed in multiple sections, with the longest achieved blowing distance of 6400 ft (1.950 km) within 28 minutes. The Alcatel microduct cable used in the trial was 7.2mm in diameter and contained 72 fibers. The DuraLine Silicore microduct into which this cable was blown measured 10mm in inner diameter and 12mm in outer diameter. Both the microducts and the microduct cable were blown using jetting equipment provided by Sherman & Reilly, with installation and consulting services provided by Oasis Micro Networks.
http://www.oasiscompanies.com
http://www.alcatel.com