Clearfield, a specialist in fiber management for communication service providers, debuted its new StreetSmart Small Count Fiber Hand-Off Box today.
Keeping in line with Clearfield’s modular product designs, this demarcation point supports the rollout of 5G, fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) and wireless access services to customers by streamlining an operator’s ability to extend fiber networks. Clearfield claims the universality of the Hand-Off Box’s design also enables carriers to use one product across its small cell, DAS and MDU builds.
“The market is continuing to see an uptick in the need for rapid fiber deployment to support 5G and other emerging technologies,” said Stefan Pongratz, vice president and analyst at the Dell’Oro Group.
“Recent data from Dell’Oro Group states that CBRS RAN is projected to approach $1.5 billion to $2 billion by 2024. To increase wireless coverage and meet these industry forecasts, the utilization of mid-band small cells to extend fiber further into the network will be vital. Products that are craft-friendly and enable the rapid turnup of fiber services at a small cell site are key – especially in a 5G world,” Pongratz added.
Clearfield says the StreetSmart Small Count Fiber Hand-Off Box is cost-effective for carriers targeting smaller MDUs to support FTTP services. It’s also the ideal fiber termination solution for operators deploying 5G or DAS because it supports extending the fiber fronthaul and backhaul capabilities throughout the footprint. The box’s compact size also makes it easy to conceal inside a monopole in small cell and DAS networks.
The Hand-Off Box can land the carrier fiber on one side while separating the craft technician from the contractor/installer on the other side too. Clearfield says access is secured between craft responsibilities using a hinged plate and a 216 locking mechanism.
“5G requires fiber to radios that are further out in the network and the further you go into the network, the fewer number of fibers are needed,” said Clearfield CMO Kevin Morgan,
“A traditional problem point for the carriers has been at the fiber hand-off point and until now, there has not been a small form-factor option for 5G or DAS networks for a protected hand off from wireline to wireless that didn’t require advanced training to deploy and support,” Morgan added.
The StreetSmart Small Count Fiber Hand-Off Box will be available for shipment in September 2020.
