by George McGuire
R&D Project Manager
The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
Replacing our nation's aging copper communications infrastructure is a monumental task. This is one thing all of the experts agree upon. The disagreements begin when the discussion turns to the most efficient and cost-effective way to tackle the challenge.
There are two main areas related to FTTH (Fiber to The Home) installation: the "homes passed" loops, essentially the main fiber circuit that runs along the streets in neighborhoods and business districts; and "house drops," or service directly to the home or business from the network loops. Equipment manufacturers and installation contractors are strongly focused on bringing more cost-effective solutions into play to make the FTTH network more affordable for owners and consumers.
The solutions vary, and all have their merits.
"Stitch" boring with pneumatic boring tools is a favorite of contractors because of the low operating cost per foot of installation, very reasonable equipment investment, and the low level of expertise necessary for equipment operation. One drawback to stitch boring is its limited guidance or steering capability. Directional drilling is a popular application because of the minimal damage to the surface areas of lawns and landscapes and the ability to drill underneath roads, streets, driveways, and other surface obstacles. In addition, the cost of surface restoration, compared to open-cut excavation, is eliminated with the directional drilling technique.
Compact utility equipment with attachments—either vibratory plows or special disc plows—is especially useful in house-drop situations. Vibratory plows can go six to twelve inches deep and are extremely cost-effective in running services of 70 to 100 feet to houses. Double-disc plow attachments are designed to minimize the impact to lawn sprinkler systems and can bury the cable about six to eight inches deep.
Yet another FTTH-installation technique involves the use of vacuum excavation systems. This type of equipment is advantageous for use in congested areas around other buried utilities because of the reduced likelihood to cut or damage other lines or cables.
FTTH construction projects are bid and awarded on the basis of cost per foot, the type of soil conditions involved, and costs per house passed, among other things. To learn more about the types of equipment and methods most frequently used in network loops and house drops and the cost-effectiveness of each type, you can download the full article.
