New Ultra-Density Fiber Cable Technology for FTTx and Access Markets Using New SpiderWeb Ribbon®

This paper examines the application of a new ultra-density fiber optic cable technology for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) and other optical fiber access technology (FTTx) applications. The new ultra-density fiber optic cable technology, called Wrapping Tube Cable (WTC), utilizes a new optical fiber ribbon arrangement technology called SpiderWeb Ribbon (SWR®). This new ribbon and cable technology provides for significant improvement in fiber density and corresponding reduction of overall cable diameters when compared to existing traditional ribbon based cable or loose buffered fiber optic cable.

Technical application methods will be demonstrated for cable installation in both aerial and underground access networks. Fiber optic closure preparation, mass fusion splicing techniques and mid-cable express entry access will also be demonstrated. The significant increase of fiber packaging density and corresponding diameter reduction of the new cable technology will provide a positive impact to future FTTx network builds by lowering the total system cost and present cost savings that will be demonstrated in this paper.