Additional fibre sheaths observerved in micro trench - Is this the start of FTTH?

Electron1

Electron1

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Additional fibre sheaths observed in micro trench - FTTH?

I noticed additional thin coloured sheaths that are being laid in Micro trenches in Highland Road, Kensington, Johanesburg. A photo has been uploaded - http://mybroadband.co.za/photos/showphoto.php?photo=24589&nocache=1

The Fibre Sheaths are also appear to be coiled on every street corner, which never used to be done before. The thinner sheaths are about 10mm diameter & there are 12 thin sheaths bundled together. There are 2 of these bundles being laid in the street along with the "normal" bigger sheaths.

Anyone know anything about this? Best I can figure is that this is now preparing for FTTH.
 
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Apologies- I have tested on my phone - I see it is a permissions issue - will correct when I can figure out where to place it so it is avaialable to all.

OK -I have tried different options for an hour now - can't figure out where to edit permissions or how else to upload.
Heeelp please (I will try again tonight when I get more time)
 
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The coiling helps if someone cuts it & it needs fixing....gives you a couple of extra cm. Not sure about the small ones.
 
Thanks for the feedback - I see the picture can now be accessed, still don't know why it couldn't be originally.
I agree that the coiling is to provide some slack, however when I have seen these sheaths being laid previously, the coiing would not be on every corner.

There has to be someone who knows why the new thin sheaths are now being laid as well - anyone?
 
Was checking DFA's website, found an article "IT Web - Fibre to home almost a reality" by Paul Vecchiatto published on 3 October 2008 that may be a clue - http://www.dfafrica.co.za/fibre_news_dfa.php

"Schierenberg says new technologies, such as using special PVC-type cable covers, mean that only slit trenches have to be dug, as compared with the wide-open excavations usually used. The cable only has to be buried down to 20cm as opposed to three times that depth. "All these time-saving methods can be used to bring down the cost of recovery of the initial investment and speed up the deployment" he says. "

Still would be nice to know that this is starting to roll out if it really is FTTH. :D
 
No this is on a new route. I think they would damage existing routes by retrenching them. On this route they are using the large sheaths and the new thinner ones together. Also they seem to be making more manholes - on every street corner.
 
Possible explanations:
* if there are any malls/shops/townhouses/flats, then they can be future users.
* magistral fibre for minor providers, along with large providers.
* ordered installations for rich clients.
* preparations for full LLU, as every provider need to connect to exchanges to provide services.

Lately, I have seen a lot of trenching everywhere.
 
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I went back to check on the progress since i took the pic. Now most trenching is filled in, however there have been trenches dug right up to the perimter walls of about 10 homes in the street! Unfortunately these have also been filled in already so it was not worth taking more pics.

I suspect this is for a trial of FTTH, just don't know why that street or how the specific homes were chosen.

I travel a lot around JHB, but this is the only time I have ever seen the thinner sheathing being added to a trench alonside the "regular" sized sheathing.
 
While Telkom's fiddling around with LLU to their own disadvantage ~ one of these days they'll wake up to discover nobody'll want their outdated copper anymore...
 
The_Librarian said:
While Telkom's fiddling around with LLU to their own disadvantage ~ one of these days they'll wake up to discover nobody'll want their outdated copper anymore...
Click to expand...

Can't agree with you more, if only there was movement with FTTH. I guess that is why I am so keen to get someone in the know to pick up on this and provide us some solid info. As Cell-C and now 8ta have shown in the wireless broadband space, people are keen to get better connectivity at reasonable pricing. Time Telkom got a kick in @ss in the fixed line broadband space.....
 
Infrastructure is expensive and if LLU gives Telkom's infrastructure away to everyone else then it's a waste of money. I think we'll see massive changes once an LLU decision has been made, because, all SA telco's (including mobile) are playing a waiting game on the infrastructure investment...

I would need more TB's if I had FTTH.
 
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