Prysmian launches innovative solution for next generation 5G technologies

Prysmian Group, world leader in the energy and telecom cable systems industry, takes another step forward in connecting homes and businesses to the world and launches the new Karona Overblow System. This new solution enables the installation of high density optical fibre cable into pre-existing sub-ducted routes, containing already existing legacy cable.

Now more than ever, data transmission is an essential part of modern life, that means it is vital that sound digital infrastructure is in place. Existing networks are already congested with legacy cable, but installing more ducts can be expensive and time consuming. Prysmian developed a solution to this problem offering a new way to install additional amounts of fibre cable using the existing duct network. The Karona Overblowing System comprises overblow cables, installation equipment, connectivity and comprehensive training. Additional cables can be installed, using Point to Point method achieving distances of up to 1km and further when using Centre Blowing techniques. The overblow cable range is from 12 to 432 fibres matched with a range of joint closures.

The Karona Overblowing System offers several benefits compared to traditional installations. Planning for civil work requires between 90-180 days’ notice prior to work starting, while generally there is no need to apply for licences for an installation into a pre-existing duct network. When building a new duct network, a speed of 100m per day is considered fast, whereas Overblowing would complete a total job of 1km in just a few hours. It therefore achieves a huge reduction in energy, greenhouse and ozone effects, having no waste products created or to be removed. Moreover, higher installation speed and significantly reduced lead times, as well as eliminated civil work, drastically reduce end-user disruption. Prysmian Group also provides approved comprehensive installation training for the system, designed for experienced installers.

Openreach, Britains’ digital network business, is benefitting from this system to help install its ‘Single Fibre Network’ in both major cities and remote rural areas, where installation is usually harder and less efficient. Prysmian developed part of the Karona system specifically to allow Openreach to add small diameter cables into a range of low diameter sub ducts where legacy cables already exist.

Openreach’s Chief Engineer Andy Whale, commented: “The overblowing technology my team have been using, and worked with Prysmian to develop, saves us time, when waiting for noticing to dig in roads, and money, as it avoids costly civils like clearing duct blockages.  It is a great bit of kit which we are rolling out across the UK, in rural and urban settings”.

“Superfast, innovative solutions are required in view of the emerging next generation technologies of 5G and future gigabit society, in order to transfer always higher amounts of data simultaneously, even throughout less suitable and less industrialised areas” comments Toni Bosch, Vice President Telecom Solutions of Prysmian Group. “With this project Prysmian continues to prove that it truly is a global manufacturer that leverages on its worldwide knowledge and capabilities to respond to the always growing technological challenges that its customers are facing.”