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Openreach Selects AFL OTDRs

Published Date
Author Nancy Rice

Openreach Selects AFL OTDRs

Approves Three Models to Verify and Maintain Expanding FTTP Network

Spartanburg, S.C. – May 21, 2024 | AFL, an international manufacturer of fiber optic cable and equipment, is pleased to announce three of its FlexScan® FS200 OTDR models have been selected by Openreach for use in verifying and maintaining Openreach’s rapidly growing fiber optic network.  

The dual-wavelength FlexScan FS200-300 was approved for installation verification at 1310 and 1550 nm wavelengths. For Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP) Live PON troubleshooting using 1625 nm wavelength, Openreach selected the single-wavelength FlexScan FS200-60. The FlexScan FS200-303 was approved for technicians performing both installation verification and Live PON troubleshooting using 1310, 1550, and 1625 nm wavelengths.

“We selected AFL’s FlexScan family because of their ease-of-use and performance in a compact, lightweight but rugged form factor ideally suited for our workforce in field test applications,” explained Openreach’s Fibre Innovations Specialist Engineer, Tim Wyatt. “For years AFL has been a trusted Openreach vendor for reliable, handheld optical light sources, power meters and optical fiber identifiers.”

All OTDR models include an integrated Optical Light Source and Power Meter to support power and insertion loss measurements. Both Source and Power Meter functionality support Wave ID, AFL’s unique method of communicating wavelength information over the fiber to prevent test setup errors and reduce test time. FlexScan OTDRs also include USB, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi interfaces to support workflow management and results transfer to Openreach’s Operations Support Systems (OSS).

“We are delighted to expand the suite of test and inspection products AFL provides to Openreach, helping them to efficiently deploy and maintain their FTTP network in response to customers’ demand for faster broadband,” stated Al Swanson, General Manager for AFL’s Splicer and Test Equipment business unit.

AFL recently completed shipments of FlexScan FS200s to Openreach in response to initial orders.

About AFL

Founded in 1984, AFL is an international manufacturer providing end-to-end solutions to the energy, service provider, enterprise, hyperscale and industrial markets. The company’s products are in use in over 130 countries and include fiber optic cable and hardware, transmission and substation accessories, outside plant equipment, connectivity, test and inspection equipment, fusion splicers and training. AFL also offers a wide variety of services supporting data center, enterprise, wireless and outside plant applications.

Headquartered in Spartanburg, SC, AFL has operations in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Fujikura Ltd. of Japan. For more information, visit www.AFLglobal.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and read our blog. 

Contacts

Charlie Collias
Global Product Marketing Manager, Equipment Group
Charlie.Collias@AFLglobal.com