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Fibre optic technology forms the backbone of modern communication networks. Compared to conventional copper lines, it offers higher bandwidths and improved signal quality. However, the rollout in Germany has been slow. A solution for cost-efficient and accelerated deployment is the overhead installation of fibre optic cables, as demonstrated in this contribution by Matthias Lehniger, Business Area Director TI Fixed Network & Mobile at Axians Germany.
For many years, Germany prioritised copper technology over fibre optics. This historical preference now necessitates replacing the existing copper network with the superior technology. Although the rollout has accelerated in recent years, Germany has yet to fully catch up internationally.
According to the BREKO market analysis 2024, by June 2024 approximately 43.2 percent of households had a fibre optic connection. Therefore, the federal government’s goal of achieving nationwide coverage by 2030 seems increasingly unrealistic, as reported by Digital Chiefs in this article.
This situation has multiple causes. High costs and lengthy bureaucratic procedures for civil engineering projects present significant obstacles.
Approval processes for construction projects often drag on for months, and the availability of skilled workers is limited. Against this backdrop, alternative installation methods are gaining importance to speed up the rollout.
Above-ground expansion promises numerous benefits
In many cases, the above-ground installation of fiber optic cables offers a good solution. This technique is often faster and more cost-effective than traditional excavation. The time saved is primarily due to simplified approval processes and reduced construction activities. While underground installation requires extensive excavation work and permits for the use of roads and paths, above-ground expansion is limited to setting foundations and poles and laying the lines on top. This approach enables larger-scale construction projects and significantly reduces personnel and logistical effort as well as associated costs.
An additional advantage arises when existing infrastructure such as telephone poles can be utilized. If the structural integrity and condition of these poles are sufficient, this further accelerates the expansion and additionally reduces costs. Since this infrastructure already belongs to the network operators, additional investments in support structures are eliminated, making the process even more cost-effective.
A More Sustainable and Maintenance-Friendly Solution
Overhead fiber optic cables are specifically designed for this type of use and are resistant to environmental factors such as UV radiation, moisture, and temperature fluctuations. While underground cables generally have a longer lifespan, their replacement and maintenance are significantly more complex and labor-intensive. Overhead cables are more accessible, making repairs and expansions easier.These and other aspects make overhead construction not only more practical but also more sustainable in many cases. It requires significantly less material excavation and reduces the need for resources like concrete and asphalt, which are necessary for underground installation. This results in fewer legacy contaminants, and the disposal of excess material is largely eliminated. Additionally, sustainable materials like wood can be used for poles.Overhead construction sites also interfere less with the surroundings, resulting in smaller construction sites and less impact on residents.
Combining Both Methods for Maximum Efficiency
In less densely populated regions, overhead installation has its advantages. Here, long distances to individual households need to be covered, which is simpler and more economical to implement overhead. Digging for individual customers over long distances, on the other hand, would be disproportionately expensive and time-consuming. In urban areas, where many connections need to be realized in a small space, underground expansion remains the better option. For rural regions, however, overhead installation offers a cost-effective and practical alternative.
Therefore, the two installation methods are not in competition with each other. On the contrary, in practice, hybrid forms between underground and overhead installation are the norm. The majority – about 80 to 90 percent – of the fiber optic network is still laid using conventional digging methods, with the rest covered by overhead lines. Only the use of both installation methods allows the respective strengths to be targeted and the fiber optic expansion to be made more efficient and sustainable overall.
Axians supports projects from start to finish: From consulting and planning to the prior inspection of planned sites and support for planning offices to the practical implementation, we cover all necessary steps for overhead fiber optic installation. Axians not only handles the complete rollout but also ensures the maintenance of the existing network, including densification and expansion. Additionally, we offer comprehensive services in maintenance and troubleshooting, ensuring smooth operation of the infrastructure even after the immediate project completion. With this holistic approach, Axians ensures the efficient and sustainable implementation of fiber optic projects. Learn more here.
Source header image: Adobe Stock / Nataliya