Scoping & Pipe - Proving

Scoping and pipe-proving is the first step of any civil infrastructure project and involves walking out the entire route on which future cable is to be hauled. Existing underground pipework and pits are assessed. Pipes are ‘proven’ by running mandrels of various sizes through them. These mandrels correspond to the diameter of the future cables to ensure that these cables will fit in the existing pipes.

Upgrading Infrastructure

After scoping is complete, the infrastructure is upgraded or remediated where necessary. Damaged or blocked pipes are identified and repaired if possible, or new pipes are installed to accommodate the future cables. Existing pits are upgraded if additional capacity is needed to accommodate new assets such as fibre joint enclosures and brand-new pits can be installed where necessary.

Cable Hauling

Once all infrastructure has been satisfactorily upgraded and remediated, the new cables are hauled through the pipes using manual labour and capstan winches where necessary. As soon as the cables have been hauled, technicians can build the joint enclosures essential to directing communications traffic across the new network.

Splicing

Optic fibres are spliced together using fusion splicers. Once these joints are complete, network continuity is verified using sophisticated testing equipment such as Optical Time Domain Reflectometers (OTDRs).

Commissioning

Finally, the network is commissioned and goes ‘live,’ allowing end users to communicate all over the world.