Clearfield (NASDAQ: CLFD), a specialist in fiber management for communication service providers, has introduced its StreetSmart Pre-Assigned Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH) Cabinet, billed as a turn-key system for placing up to 288 distribution fibers in outside plant FTTx (fiber-to-the-x) PON applications.
Designed for rapid PON deployments, the new cabinet provides a single distribution point, making it ideal for deploying FTTH (fiber-to-the-home) where high potential take rates are expected. Per Clearfield, via the new cabinet, network providers may benefit from reduced OPEX costs associated with FTTH deployment by pre-populating the quantity of splitters needed prior to delivery, speeding installation and deployment times, allowing service providers to instantly turn-up revenue-generating services.
“Our newest FDH cabinet can be used in combination with our existing product portfolios and follows the craft-friendly engineering of all of Clearfield’s solutions designed to allow technicians to easily turn-up broadband services,” commented Kevin Morgan, Chief Marketing Officer at Clearfield. “Once in place, technicians have no need to re-enter the StreetSmart FDH Cabinet—thereby minimizing OPEX. With pre-populated splitters, all that remains is to hook up the end-user equipment. This latest addition to our StreetSmart portfolio is another example of how Clearfield’s products enable service providers to fully monetize the fiber broadband opportunity.”
“Every FTTH deployment is different and presents its own unique challenges,” added Jeff Heynen, Senior Research Director at Dell’Oro Group. "Veteran employees in the fiber deployment sector are retiring and as a new workforce joins the industry in a time with such a boom in the need for fiber, the value of turn-key solutions is unmatched. The market needs solutions that reduce the learning curve for new fiber technicians while providing quality products that allow service providers to quickly turn up reliable fiber-based broadband for their customers.”
Per a Clearfield product announcement:
The small, high-density, patch-only StreetSmart Pre-Assigned FDH Cabinet is about the size of a typical counter-top microwave oven measuring in at just 22.72” x 15.47”x 14.18” and featuring 24 feeder ports connecting up to 9 splitters. The Pre-Assigned WaveSmart High Density 1 x 32 Splitters are installed into the cabinet with a pre-terminated tail, meaning the FDH arrives ready to install and only requires tail splicing from the technician.
This easy-to-order, single-part number product incorporates a cross-cut roof designed to shed water and includes a roof/solar shield and a reusable/replaceable venting feature, providing additional protection for deployed fiber. The outer shell of the cabinet is replaceable, and can be skinned in the field, reducing or eliminating customer outages even after being severely damaged.
The cabinet is designed to accommodate various mounting options including pad, pole or vault with either a 6” or 12” riser.
The StreetSmart Pre-Assigned FDH Cabinet will be available for shipping November 2020. View the product data sheet.