Datwyler completes FTTH pilot for Zurich electricity company

Datwyler Cables says it has successfully completed an FTTH pilot project for Zurich electricity company ewz. Starting in October 2010, Datwyler connected 106 buildings with 1400 residential units in the Hardstrasse area of Zurich, Switzerland.

In its capacity as a turnkey project supplier Datwyler carried out on-site analysis, drew up the design proposal, delivered the requisite system, and – in collaboration with certified partners on the ground – carried out the installation, documentation, and maintenance of the new infrastructure.

So what was constructed? The first thing when connecting fiber optics to all 106 buildings was to sink nine telecom shafts and route approximately 38 km of subducts through the existing pipe system, the company explains. These interconnect the shafts with the main optical distribution board at the point of presence (PoP). The installation companies used microtubes between the shafts and the individual optical premises.

The contract also involved blowing fiber-optic cables into the pipes and all the requisite splicing and connecting work. The PoP and the telecom shafts are interconnected by over 8 km of feeder cable. Around 20 km of Datwyler’s newly developed S-Micro cable were used for the drop connections from the shafts to the buildings.

At the same time, as part of the excavation work and in parallel to the FTTH build, main terminals and main electrical connection boxes were replaced in buildings with old electrical systems.

As the lead contractor, Datwyler delivered the project in close cooperation with local civil engineers, telecom assembly companies, installation and splicing contractors. “Construction work was completed in March 2011 thanks to Datwyler’s expert planning and extensive project experience, and the turnkey project was handed over to ewz on time,” the company said.

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