CommScope's mini Rapid Fiber cable, connectivity products help speed MDU installations

During this week's SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in New Orleans, CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) will introduce its enhanced fiber wall box portfolio, designed to simplify installation and reduce the cost of taking fiber deeper into both multi-dwelling unit (MDU) and single-family dwelling unit (SFU) environments.

As part of the recently acquired Broadband Network Solutions (BNS) business from TE Connectivity, CommScope notes that the new offering of fiber wall boxes: is available in multiple sizes and configurations for splice, connectorized and indoor/outdoor applications; provides an end-to-end solution for in-building construction; and addresses the need for targeted installation budgets. The new product line is comprised of the following elements:

CommScope’s mini Rapid Fiber distribution terminal (RDT), previously only available for indoor MDU applications, is now available for outdoor use. Using CommScope’s RapidReel cable spool, the mini RDT can deploy several hundred feet of 3.6 mm indoor/outdoor cable. The far end of the cable terminates to a 12-fiber multi-fiber push-on (MPO) or hardened multi-fiber optical connector (HMFOC), which ensures faster cable routing and equipment terminations by the technician. The RapidReel cable spool, multi-fiber cable and connector technologies help reduce site survey inspections, streamline cable inventory requirements and speed overall MDU installations. To support cascaded MDU architectures, the mini RDT – indoor model is now available with a 1x4 or 1x8 integrated splitter option. A single optical fiber cable feeds the mini RDT, which splits the signal up to eight available SC plug-and-play adapter ports. To turn up service, installers use preconnectorized drops to quickly feed up to eight living units per floor. All-front access to customer terminations provides ensures easy maintenance, changes and additions for technicians.

The optical wall box (OWB-S) is an outdoor fiber termination solution for connecting fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) devices, but it can also be used in other outdoor above-ground applications. Built for mechanical and environmental protection, the OWB-S offers flexible options for fiber storage, splicing, patching and passive component integration in a small footprint. The OWB-S offers multiple cable access points for indoor/outdoor applications. A simple hinge and latch design ensures quick and easy technician access. For security applications, the OWB-S includes an optional padlock. “CommScope recognizes the unique challenges of bringing fiber into the MDU and SFU. Service providers have targeted budgets and timelines to work with. We can help by offering products with the flexibility to adapt to a variety of building types and environments,” comments Jaxon Lang, general manager and vice president, BNS, CommScope. “With the expansion of our fiber wall box portfolio, we give our customers more choices for bringing fiber deeper into the home or business without exceeding their budget or having to sacrifice anything in network performance and reliability.”SCTE Cable-Tec Expo will take place October 13-16, 2015 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention center in New Orleans. CommScope will display its network solutions at booths #633 and #1635.