m2fx CASE STUDY

The Problem

Distributed Antenna System networks allow operators to mount radio antenna close to the subscribers on street furniture, such as street lights, utility poles or street signs, to address bandwidth capacity in demanding metropolitan areas.

Antenna locations (DAS Nodes) are placed in the most effective position to provide carriers with the optimum coverage and are linked back, via fi ber cable, to a central hub location. All DAS Nodes are linked by fi ber because of the very high bandwidth required. The higher the data traffi c the more densely populated the DAS Nodes need to be. 4G and high bandwidth services require multiple DAS Nodes in order to cope with the increasingly bandwidth hungry metropolitan population.

A DAS network, with all the inherent multiple last drop installation problems, is in effect a Fibre-To-The-Premises (FTTP) connection. Multiple fi ber drops of short distances, complex routes and tight bend radii has made DAS network and FTTP installation often cost ineffective and excessively time consuming to execute. In combination with city authorities often reluctance to allow highways to be dug-up and/or closed for extended periods of time, there are signifi cant barriers to the rollout of DAS networks. With plans for a network for over one hundred outside DAS Nodes in the busiest area of Chicago, AT&T found themselves struggling to both get city approval and keep installation costs under control.

In short, a better fi ber network installation solution was required.

FTTa - Installation of DAS Fiber Networks for AT&T in Chicago: The m2fx and Geo-Path SolutionLocation:

50+ locations across Chicago

Date: 2011 to date

OSP Installer:Engineer - Nonda Harris of Geo-Path

Synopsis: To install optical fi ber under the public roadway in order to connect metropolitan street furniture mounted DAS Nodes to central base station HUBs.

Run Lengths: 100ft to 580ft

Specialist Equipment: No blowing equipment required

Benefi ts: Achieved 70% reduction in installation costs. Metropolitan wide DAS network enabled with minimum highway disruption.

Products Used: Ruggedized Microduct • m2fx Tuffduct™• Minifl ex™ Outdoor Microduct

Pushable Fiber Cable• Minifl ex™ Fiber Cable – 12 Fibers

FTTaDAS Fiber Networks

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AT&T DAS Network

Conclusion

The m2fx ruggedized and Minifl ex pushable fi ber solution solved the problem. Specifi -cally designed for the last section of a network, the ruggedized microduct and Minifl ex pushable fi ber cable were easy to install and withstood the demanding nature of the topography; this enabled the implementation of micro-trenching without the fear of duct or cable failure. The installation cost saving of up to 70% showed that AT&T, GeoPath and m2fx were onto a winning formula and the team have installed many DAS Nodes and linked each back to the Central Hub since starting the installations in 2011, and continue to do so.

Geo-Path and AT&T use m2fx Minifl ex™ microduct and cable solutions

Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx (888) 375-8826 www.coretelecom.net

Solutions to the Problem:

GeoPath Micro-trenching Solution & m2fx Ruggedized Microduct and Pushable Fiber Cable Solution:

AT&T and GeoPath identifi ed that the best installation method would be micro-trenching. A much faster installation technique, that was ideal for deployment in metropolitan areas. The method involved cutting a small trench (1 inch wide) along the street, installing microduct and rapidly restoring the roadway with the GeoPath, GeoFlex Patch™. This allowed contractors to be in and out of a street between 7pm and 10pm.

Having identifi ed microtrenching, combined with the installation of microduct, as the optimal method of deploying fi ber in a metropolitan area, AT&T sought a duct that would work in this challenging environment. They identifi ed the m2fx Tuffduct™ as the ideal partner for this project, tiny enough to be easily installed in the narrow channel, yet tough enough to withstand tight corners and the pressure of heavy traffi c above. The number of Nodes and short drop lengths made blown fi ber installation prohibitively ineffi cient. Therefore, a pushable fi ber system would be required. The m2fx Pushable Fiber Cable Solution was the answer.

m2fx enabled AT&T and GeoPath to overcome all these issues by providing the Ruggedized Microduct and Minifl ex Pushable Fiber Cable Solution. The solution was selected because of m2fx’s track recorded in successful FTTP installations and because it was fully compatible with the existing backbone network. It provided:

• Ruggedized TuffDuct Microduct (10mm OD) specifi cally engineered to tolerate tight bend radii and high crush forces. Easy to handle, extremely tough and featuring an ultralow friction lining; m2fx TuffDuct enabled micro trenching in conjunction with pushable fi ber installation methods to be used.

• Pushable Minifl ex Fiber Cable (3mm 12f) with a super tough, temperature tolerant jacket that is thick walled yet made fl exible by an engineered groove, enabling a tight bend radius. The result, a pushable fi ber cable that is anti kink, allowing installers to safely push or pull the fi ber through the microduct quickly and easily without the need for blowing rigs.

Up to 70% savings

The combination of these products and processes allowed for the rapid deployment of a fully operational network, saving 70% of the cost of a traditional install, taking 30% of the time of a traditional install and reducing disruption to the City of Chicago to a minimum.

m2fx CASE STUDY

Saw cutting microtrench AT&T DAS Network

Routing TuffDuct into the precut slot

Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx (888) 375-8826 www.coretelecom.net

Reinstating road with Geo Flex Patch

Patch in situ

The Method

GeoPath - Micro-Trenching

• Geo-Path identifi ed that Micro-Trenching was the install method solution required.

• The micro-trench was cut into the street with a diamond circular saw, allowing for very quick cutting and a very small channel.

• Sand was then added to the bottom of the trench to insulate it and protect the duct.

• A backer rod was installed to provide insulation for the duct from the restorative material (Geo Flex Patch).

• The trench was then sealed with the GeoFlex Patch™ re-instating the road surface.

m2fx– Ruggedized Microduct and Pushable Fiber Cable

• Two differing types of m2fx ruggedized microduct, Tuffduct™ and Minifl ex™ Outdoor Microduct, were offered. One for the underground section of the deployment and another type for the sections exposed to UV light and weathering. These products had to be compatible and easily connected together with a coupler to produce a smooth, seamless transition.

• By its nature, micro-trenching requires a very small form duct solution. m2fx Tuffduct™ is only 10mm OD and could be stacked in the micro-trench when required.

• m2fx Tuffduct™ provided a fl exible and rugged solution capable of withstanding both installation into a tight space and resisting the enormous weight of the ground above 2900psi (2000N) whilst remaining capable of the fl exibility required for coupling.

• One of the vital properties possessed by m2fx Tuffduct™ was its ability to withstand the 400°F (204°C) of the GeoFlex Patch™.

• Both when attached to street furniture and in the micro-trench there was a risk of “pinch”, which the structure of the m2fx and Minifl ex™ products are specifi cally designed to resist.

• Minifl ex™ Outdoor Microduct had to have UV resistance and be capable of installation onto street furniture and along buildings, whilst protecting fi ber from weathering and normal damage resulting from other parties accessing the street furniture.

• Minifl ex™ Fiber Cable was then pushed or pulled from the manhole to the DAS site. Minifl ex™ Fiber Cable has low friction coating that is specifi cally designed for drops of 1500ft or less which allows for installation without specialized equipment such as blowers.

• No longer needing blowing rigs, enabled AT&T engineers to install the fi ber more effi ciently by pushing or pulling as appropriate, allowing for a greater number of installs by the same number of engineers, improving the overall cost per foot.

m2fx CASE STUDY

m2fx Tuffduct™ Coupler joining microducts together

Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx (888) 375-8826 www.coretelecom.net

“We have been using m2fx microduct and cable for roughly 2 years now on many installs and have found the great combination of TuffDuct™ and Minifl ex™ fi ber cable 3mm to perform well at the install stage. The microduct doesn’t pinch on tight bends and when we apply our Geo-Flex Patch at a temperature of 400ºF (200ºC) it doesn’t melt, which is exactly what we want.”

Nonda Harris - Geopath

“This is truly a story of how smart government policies make a difference in the everyday lives of consumers and employers. First, the State of Illinois adopted a new telecommunications law to encourage private sector investment in the state. Then, the City of Chicago backed an innovative approach to strengthen the mobile network while minimizing the interruption on the public,” said Paul La Schiazza, President, AT&T Illinois. “The result is a stronger mobile network that citizens and businesses can rely on for public health, safety, commerce, and entertainment. In this story, everyone wins.”

(Source: A quote from an OSP Magazine article and case study written about AT&T’s DAS installation in Chicago) http://www.ospmag.com/issue/article/The-City-of-Big-Broadband-Shoulders

The Result

• The speed of installation both as a result of being able to use micro-trenching and the deployment speed of the m2fx product massively reduced the disruption caused by road closures. Typically, in by 7PM, out by 10PM.

• Labor hours per foot of installation were reduced as the installation crews could achieve greater distances, faster and without the need for specialized equipment such as blowers to install the fi ber.

• The fl exibility required for short runs and attachments to street furniture were achieved without the risk of “pinch”.

The Findings

• The properties of Minifl ex™ Fiber Cable were ideally suited to the relatively short run lengths, which varied from 100ft to 580ft.

• The very versatile nature of the ruggedized m2fx microduct allowed for installation in a wide range of environments from traditional trenches, via micro-trenches to street furniture.

• On occasions it proved more effi cient to use already open trenches to place duct in, displaying the versatility of ruggedized microduct, which can also be direct buried.

• 10mm OD of TuffDuct™ worked very well, it was found that multiple ducts were able to be stacked within the micro trench when required.

• Installers found it really easy to push the cable, others preferred to use the pull-cord.

• The key was the anti-kink and general toughness of the cable, less breakages in the fi eld means the team could fi nish quicker.

• During the lifetime of this installation, if the ruggedized microduct is damaged it can be quickly restored removing the damaged section and reconnecting it using a standard coupler.

• The ruggedized microduct has small bend radii; it can be stored and shipped on smaller reels, which eliminates the need for additional vehicles and trailers.

Conclusion

The m2fx ruggedized and Minifl ex pushable fi ber solution solved the problem. Specifi cally designed for the last section of a network, the ruggedized mi-croduct and Minifl ex pushable fi ber cable were easy to install and withstood the demanding nature of the topography; this enabled the implementation of micro-trenching without the fear of duct or cable failure. The installation cost saving of up to 70% showed that AT&T, GeoPath and m2fx were onto a winning formula and the team have installed many DAS Nodes and linked each back to the Central Hub since starting the installations in 2011, and continue to do so.

Geo-Path and AT&T use m2fx Minifl ex™ microduct and cable solutions

m2fx CASE STUDY

Minifl ex™ Outdoor Microduct Minifl ex™ Pushable Fiber Cable – 12 Fibers

Core Telecom Systems partnered with m2fx (888) 375-8826 www.coretelecom.net