What gives fiber to the apartment from Beltelecom. ONT connection in the apartment. Standard service connection

Under the pretext of “network modernization”, Beltelecom recommends that Belarusians abandon private providers.

Beltelecom is modernizing telephone networks, at the same time actively offering its services and recommending disconnecting from private Internet providers. So, in short, you can convey the essence of several appeals received by the editors of tut.by. The journalists understood the situation and talked about the pros and cons of this "modernization".

Now in Minsk and the regions, a planned modernization of telephone networks is underway, in which the state telecom operator decided to include fiber optic wiring in an apartment and free delivery of modems.

Why it's good: fast Internet without unnecessary actions

At first glance, the idea is great. Many people still use outdated, slower and more expensive ADSL, or even ordinary 3G, because Ethernet providers did not reach their homes, or because they simply do not find the time to go to the office, choose a tariff and conclude an agreement.

Beltelecom eliminates this problem. You are automatically sent high speed internet, connect the modem, and then a specialist arrives at a convenient time to connect the necessary services. No extra action on your part.

At the same time, there is too active promotion of services?

In addition to the requests of users received by our editorial office, a similar thread was created on the Onliner forum. Here is what the author of the topic writes:

“Already several acquaintances in their high-rise buildings have been extended free fiber optic cable to almost every apartment. Modernization. they say, leaving copper. The installers sang sweet songs about the free distribution of routers, the super quality of telephony and good internet.

Everything seems to be fine, but then ...

In general, a young guy comes and starts to ride hard on the ears, it all depends on the age and advancement of the “ears”. If the “ears” are of retirement age, they subscribe to everything at once: phone, ByFly, Zala. Timid objections that there is television, and the boy, without blinking, declares: “The telephone will not work without the Hall!”

Here is a photo sent to us by another reader.

It was posted on the bulletin board of one of the Minsk high-rise buildings. It can be assumed that the authorship belongs to some private provider, dissatisfied with the policy of Beltelecom.

Private providers "shut down"

We asked if private providers had heard about such actions of Beltelecom employees. It turned out that they not only heard, but also tried to resist it.

For example, the Unet.by operator (United Networks LLC) wrote an official complaint to RUE Beltelecom (a copy is in the editorial office) with a request to conduct a trial in the system active sales and refute information that discredits business reputation internet operator.

The claim, in particular, states that since mid-May, the provider’s call center employees began to receive calls with questions “how can we continue to use your services”, “why did you decide to close”, “who will provide services instead of your provider” and similar wording .

Unet.by, as reported in the claim, created a working group that found out that Beltelecom's sales managers "spread unreliable information about other Internet companies among residents of certain multi-apartment residential buildings." The provider claims that Beltelecom employees are talking about the imminent closure of alternative providers and the “cutting out” of all communication networks alternative to the state provider.

The document also states that a survey of residents was conducted in one of the houses in Minsk, which “confirmed the dissemination of false information about the operator, discrediting his business reputation.”

Beltelecom considered the claim unfounded. This wording is contained in the response letter:

CEO Unet.by Vladimir Volosenkov considers Beltelecom's answer strange: “Obviously, we wouldn't just file a complaint out of boredom. Yes, and communication with fellow providers confirms the same picture of misleading users throughout the country. Significantly, the answer Sergei Ivanovich Sivodedov not only was there no hint of any kind of apology, but even a formal remark about the intention to investigate or instruct representatives of his company.

Unet.by notes that messages from users continue to arrive even after their complaint. Currently, they continue to collect statements from users and are considering taking legal action.

Yuri Santersky, the co-founder of the Internet operator Flynet, also said that they were approached by customers asking if private companies would continue to provide communication services. According to them, they received such information from representatives of Beltelecom.

Santersky also complains that “frequent bans on work in cable ducts for private operators, dumping prices for communication services for their customers, unjustifiably high cost of renting cable ducts hinder the development of the republic's communications market. Ultimately, all this will have a negative impact on the consumer of services, including Beltelecom subscribers.”

However, ADSL providers that use a copper cable for connection got the most (after all, they change it to optics during the upgrade). BelInfoNet even had to post information on the site describing what to do in case Beltelecom employees come and they are convinced that it is necessary to disconnect the old provider.

In the company "Aichyna Plus", which provides, among other things, Internet via ADSL technologies, claim that they also constantly face the problem of disconnecting subscribers due to the fact that Beltelecom is quite actively entering residential buildings with xPON technology:

“We have stories when our subscribers are not asked if they want to buy Beltelecom services. They are simply told: from the 1st of next month, all private providers will be turned off in your house. And you run the risk of being left without a phone, and without the Internet, and without television.

You can opt out of extra services.

Briefly explain: remember that no one can impose a provider or any additional services on you.

If you already have an ISP or cable TV that suits you, you don't need to disconnect from them. If Beltelecom brought fiber to your home and installed a modem, this does not oblige you to anything, even if you now do not have high-speed Ethernet Internet, but an ADSL connection.

In the latter case, however, this is rather problematic. Since it is necessary to apply to BTK before the design stage so that they leave the copper line. In this case, you have the right to leave only the old number and not connect high-speed Internet (xPON), or leave the old one and connect new number(in the last option, you will have 2 subscription fees per line).

Beltelecom's answer: "Maintaining a copper network is an expensive pleasure"

The commercial director of Beltelecom commented on the situation Sergei Turomsha:

After all, all our services are now available on fiber optics. But providers in this situation are in no hurry to ask to keep copper lines in exchange for compensation for all costs of their operation. They want to keep the old conditions. But then who will pay the full costs?

On the other hand, what kind of copper can we talk about when subscribers already today need Internet at speeds up to 100 Mbps? Maximum tariff plan Beltelecom on copper lines provided Internet access at speeds up to 10 Mbps. And we were very afraid to introduce such a high-speed threshold, because we believed that ADSL technology would not allow us to withstand state standard ensure the quality of the connection.

Therefore, I believe that the providers themselves are well aware that copper is yesterday. Those who a few years ago did not think about investing in infrastructure, about changing the technological platform, today are "reaping the fruits" of their management decisions.

By the way, laying fiber is not some kind of exclusive technology that allows you to get high speed Internet access. In Belarus, many private providers have chosen the path of building Ethernet networks. And in this case, they do not depend on Beltelecom's copper lines in any way.

The arrival of Beltelecom with an optical socket in every apartment is by no means equivalent to a mass cleansing of the market and the disappearance of private operators as a subspecies.

Everyone will find a place in the sun. Belarus has very diverse consumers of telecommunications services. Many prefer some particular TV channels or services that Beltelecom does not provide. Someone appreciates in small operators, for example, the opportunities that provide local networks. Therefore, there is nothing terrible in the arrival of Beltelecom. Those who do not invest in their business and resist progress will disappear from the market.”

Beltelecom: employees are not set to “squeeze out competitors”

Beltelecom also denied the information about the “squeezing out” of competitors:

“We set the task for the employees who work with clients to promote the services of Beltelecom as much as possible. We never form any list of shortcomings or weaknesses competitors. the main task- to focus attention of clients on our advantages.

I believe that any provider regarding the subscriber base of Beltelecom acts in exactly the same way. Or do you seriously think that someone's "hunters for subscribers", having heard that they have existing clients of our company, immediately stop the conversation, without trying to lure the subscriber to their side?

Accusations against Beltelecom that we use uncivilized methods of competition, and everything around is white and fluffy, can only cause a smile.

By the way, in September of this year, we invited the management of United Grids to a meeting to discuss the situation with the appearance in a number of houses on bulletin boards and in mailboxes of residents of anonymous leaflets with information misleading consumers about the goals and objectives of RUE Beltelecom » modernization of telecommunications networks.

The initiative to meet with representatives of Unet.by is easy to explain - the "arguments" given in anonymous leaflets closely intersected with the information that had previously appeared on the operator's official website and in a letter to RUE Beltelecom.

The described meeting took place and passed in a rather constructive way. Unet.by was informed about the ongoing work on the reconstruction of networks, organization of sales of Beltelecom services and interaction with private providers after the appearance of GPON networks in homes.

In turn, the top managers of Unet.by admitted the possibility of a personal initiative not agreed with the management on the part of one of their own employees regarding the distribution of the above anonymous materials, promised to look into the situation and, if necessary, take appropriate measures to prevent such methods of work On the market.

It seemed to us that the “conflict” described above could be considered settled on this. Therefore, in this case, we perceive the words about the need for any apologies from Beltelecom with some surprise.”

Another problem: Wi-Fi interference in the house

Even if we ignore the possible fact of incorrect work of sales managers, the total coverage of houses by Beltelecom with the Internet with the installation of modems has another problem.

“We have Huawei modems installed for everyone in our house, and Wi-Fi is turned on at full capacity by default,”- said Grigory, one of the new subscribers of Beltelecom in Minsk. - “I had to run around the floors and ask grandparents who do not use the Internet to “press a button” to turn off the Wi-Fi they do not need.”

As evidence, Grigory sent screenshots of the inSSIDer Wi-Fi analyzer program:

On the first screenshot, the program shows more than 40 Wi-Fi networks in the coverage area. Most network names look like "HUAWEI-abcd" - these are the names assigned by modems to networks by default. “Most likely they are not used at all”, suggests Gregory.

The second screenshot shows the signal strength of the surrounding networks. It is noteworthy that the network in the young man's apartment (ZTE5) is only in 5th place.

The same information is confirmed by Alena from Minsk, who sent a screenshot showing the abundance of active Wi-Fi networks in the reception area of her smartphone. And here we also see “faceless” networks, but already ZTE with six-digit indexes. It is unlikely that there will be so many active users of high-speed Internet in the five-story Khrushchev building in the center of Minsk.

In this article I want to talk about a set of equipment that can be issued at the service centers of RUE "Beltelecom". Some people may have problems with the completeness of the equipment when terminating the contract, when returning the old modem (when they installed, for example, a new modem using xPON technology), etc.

Note: this article discusses some examples of the issuance of equipment by RUE "Beltelecom". In some cases, the completeness of the equipment may differ.

When concluding an agreement at the service center of RUE "Beltelecom", you are given equipment, while your agreement will contain the "Property Transfer and Acceptance Certificate". With the help of this act, you can navigate what equipment and components you were given. Examples will be given next.

Example 1

Figure 1 - The act of acceptance and transfer of property upon receipt of a set-top box for the ZALA service

For example, from Figure 1, you can see that you received the STB ZXV10 B700 prefix. Further in the note we see (highlighted in red) that you additionally received a power supply, remote control, 3RCA cable, RGB cable or HDMI cable, RJ45 cable. In the same set, you will have to hand over the equipment, for example, upon termination of the contract. In this example, an act is used that is issued when concluding an agreement for the Interactive ZALA service, in addition to this act, a second act may be issued regarding the modem. Let me remind you that Interactive ZALA requires a modem and a set-top box to work. Figure 2 shows more clearly what this set of equipment is.

Figure 2 - Equipment set (B700 prefix with accessories)

Example 2

Figure 3 - Act of acceptance and transfer of property (terminal ONT F660 with accessories)

In Figure 3, you can see that you have received an ONT F660 terminal (modem). Further in the note we see (highlighted in red) that you additionally received a power supply, an RJ11 linear cable, an RJ45 network cable, and a fiber optic cable. Figure 4 shows more clearly what this set of equipment is.

Figure 4 - Equipment set (ONT F660 terminal with accessories)

Example 3

Figure 5 - Equipment set (ONT Echolife HG8245H terminal with accessories)

In Figure 5, you can see that you have received an ONT Echolife HG8245H terminal (modem). Further in the note we see (highlighted in red) that you additionally received a power supply, an RJ45 network cable, an optical fiber cable, and a cassette. Figure 6 shows more clearly what this set of equipment is.

Figure 6 - Equipment set (ONT Echolife HG8245H terminal with accessories)

Example 4

Figure 7 - Equipment set (B600 prefix with accessories)

In Figure 7, you can see that you have received STB ZXV10 B600. Further in the note we see (highlighted in red) that you additionally received a power supply, remote control, 3RCA cable, RJ45 cable.

Example 5

Figure 8 - Set of equipment (prefix Vityaz DTR-824HD with accessories)

In Figure 8, you can see that you received the Vityaz DTR-824HD prefix and a conditional access card. Further in the note we see (highlighted in red) that you additionally received a power supply, remote control, RCA cable, RCA-Scart adapter, 2 batteries (batteries), instruction manual. Batteries cannot be returned. Such a set of equipment is issued for on-air ZALA service.

Example 6

Figure 9 - Equipment set (modem with accessories)

In Figure 9, you can see that you have received the H208N modem. Further in the note we see (highlighted in red) that in addition you received a power supply, a splitter, an RJ11 linear cable (maybe 2), an RJ45 network cable. Figure 10 shows more clearly what this set of equipment is (so that there is no misunderstanding, please pay your attention to the fact that here the H208N modem is presented in the act, but in the figure below the Huawei HG552f-11 modem!). Such equipment is usually issued upon conclusion of a ByFly Internet contract.

Figure 10 - Equipment set (modem with accessories)

Total

What equipment will be issued to you at the service center of RUE "Beltelecom" depends on many factors:

Depending on the technology through which the service will be provided to you, it can be ADSL, VDSL, IMS or xPON;
The service you connect to can be ByFly, Interactive ZALA, Terrestrial ZALA, SMART ZALA, Smart House etc.;
From equipment that is already installed in your home.

If you have any questions, then ask them below in the comments.

Today we will not once again discuss the advantages of this technology, but will try to understand more pressing problems. How should a Beltelecom employee connecting GPON look and say, what changes for subscribers with the advent of progress and new technologies, as well as how long it takes to connect to GPON and whether it is possible not to switch to fiber, but at the same time stay with a landline phone .

Tatyana Triputen, Deputy Director for Sales and Customer Service of the Minsk City Telephone Network branch of RUE Beltelecom, told about this.

Not so long ago, excited residents of the capital's Lyubimov Avenue turned to the editorial office of the BelTA agency, where the introduction of GPON is just being completed. Residents of one of the houses in the area found out that with the advent of high speeds and opportunities to get Internet, TV and telephone via one cable, one nuance appears - you will have to say goodbye to the old landline phone number, or rather, to its first three digits.

“We were also told that if we do not connect this technology now, then later we will have to do it with our own money! Can we refuse it? And aren't they scammers? asked worried Minskers.

“Today we have a new round of network evolution. User requirements are growing, the demand for high-speed Internet, IPTV, IP telephony is increasing, and the possibilities of copper lines are no longer enough. Therefore, the transition to new platforms and solutions is the norm, and not some kind of emergency event. This is an objective process and a global trend. At the same time, it is very expensive to maintain both a copper and a fiber optic line, Beltelecom cannot afford such unjustified expenses, - says Tatyana Triputen. “Changes in telephone numbers have been planned before, and annually, not only in connection with the transition to technology such as GPON.”

- And can the tenants simply not know about the conduct of such work in the house?

“As for the appeal to the editorial office, most likely representatives of the construction organization, which lay communication lines for connecting GPON. Beltelecom employees come only after agreement with the owners of the apartments,” she explains. “We hold a tender, conclude an agreement with the contractor, after which he begins work on the construction of communication lines.”

It is the builder who is the very first sign that brings the subscriber news about the upcoming changes. After all, in order to conduct an optical fiber, an optical socket must be made in each apartment. Employees of ZhESov, where the connection is made, are required to know by name all the builders who work on their site. And the latter should have badges that residents should pay attention to.

“The contractor organization warns residents in advance about the work that will be carried out in their home, and also provides contact numbers by which residents can check if they are scammers. Information is posted on stands in the entrances, leaflets are distributed through mailboxes or handed directly into the hands of residents,” the representative of Beltelecom emphasizes.

“But not everyone reads the information on the stands or studies the leaflets from the mailbox.

“We are closely cooperating with the housing and communal services, and at our request, they bring information about the connection of fiber optics. And if necessary, the housing departments organize meetings for us with residents, where we explain in detail all the nuances of this process,” says Tatyana Triputen.

After the optical socket is installed in the apartment, it will be the turn of Beltelecom employees who will already connect the equipment itself. But before that, there will also be a door-to-door detour.

“We are additionally hiring temporary workers who go around all the tenants several times. They are easy to recognize by branded bags and badges, they distribute specially prepared programs, which describe the technology in detail. In addition, they agree on a convenient time when our staff member can come and connect GPON. Now we are working in the South-West region, and our representatives are already going around the apartments in the second circle,” says Tatyana Triputen.

In this scenario, it is very difficult to miss the information that the house is starting to be connected to fiber optics, the main thing is to at least occasionally look at leaflets in the mailbox and communicate with company representatives who will tell you in detail what changes will be in your house in the near future.

One of the most exciting circumstances for tenants is information about a change in part of the owner's phone number.

“Yes, a number of requests come to us precisely because of the change of number. People, especially the elderly, find it hard to get used to this idea. But not the whole number changes, but only the first three digits. In addition, we include an auto-informer - an answering machine, which will redirect the subscriber who calls you to a new number, ”Tatiana Triputen emphasizes.

Such an autoinformer turns on when all apartments are connected to GPON. But even here Beltelecom can meet halfway. For example, at legal entities it is possible to connect a personal autoinformer.

“We try to approach each situation as individually as possible, to find a solution that suits both the subscriber and the company's specialists. But because of one subscriber who refuses to connect the fiber optic line, we will not be able to keep copper connections in the house, ”she notes.

Questions also arise about what then you will have to pay for connecting GPON technology. Now Beltelecom is modernizing communication lines at its own expense, in addition, subscribers receive a special unit that will run wires from one fiber to all gadgets in the apartment. And also free. But what about those who, for example, left for six months or a year when a new technology was being introduced?

“We solve such issues with each specific subscriber individually. And I can’t say that now the service is free, and in three months it will become paid. One way or another, we find a solution together with the subscriber,” the specialist explained.

“Sometimes we hear the question of whether it is possible to refuse to connect the service, especially from the elderly, for whom the usual phone number is more important than all these new technologies. The fact is that all the old telephone exchanges will simply be turned off, and a person who does not connect in a timely manner will simply remain without a connection at all, ”Tatiana Triputen explains and emphasizes that they always try to find an approach to a person, solve the problem together.

For example, before the New Year, one of the inhabitants of the South-West was very worried that he would not be congratulated on the holidays because of the change of number. To reassure the elderly man, Beltelecom connected him to a personal autoinformer. Of course, you cannot connect all subscribers to such autoinformers, but this indicates the company's desire to resolve the issue favorably for everyone.

“Not a single Minsker has been left without communication! But we have been connecting GPON since 2011. It doesn't matter if it's new or old. In new buildings, by the way, it is much easier to work: we immediately install fiber optics there. But in the old districts, copper wires have to be replaced,” said Tatyana Triputen.

All technological innovations once seemed wild: people protested against electricity, were wary of cars, telephones, radio and television. And how many copies were broken during computerization! Moreover, some stubborn "Old Believers" are still shy of the computer and the Internet, but this has to be put up with - it is impossible to reverse progress.

“It seems to me that soon we, with our technology, will reach the point of no return, when people themselves will understand all the advantages of GPON. Already now, most of the requests we have come from those Minsk residents who are interested in when their houses will be connected to the optical fiber,” says a representative of Beltelecom.

In 2015, GPON will come to such metropolitan areas as the Institute of Culture and Uruchcha. In total, it is planned to connect more than 70,000 subscribers in Minsk this year.

GPON technology is a kind of FTTH (optics to the home) and involves bringing optical fiber to the subscriber's apartment. This eliminates all active intermediate devices (switches, routers), which undoubtedly improves the quality of service provision, and also creates the prerequisites for increasing the speed to the subscriber up to 1 Gbps or more. RUE Beltelecom plans to increase 650,000 GPON subscribers by 2017. This will increase the share of service users broadband access with higher speeds. At the same time, a “smart” ONU device is installed for the subscriber, which has various interfaces (Ethernet, FXS, WiFi) to provide all kinds of telecommunication services - IMS services, interactive TV ZALA, Internet, security alarm, intercom, and in the future - "smart home" services .

Literally over the past couple of decades, computer devices for communication, communication, work or entertainment have appeared in almost every family. Subscriber connections are made via telephone lines, radio channels, and in Lately optical fiber is widely used.

I had to evaluate the possibilities of this technology on my own experience. Based on it, I publish advice home master on connecting your computer to the Internet via a fiber optic cable and creating an apartment wired and wireless network with explanatory pictures, diagrams and a video.

First exposure to new technology

A decade and a half ago, the 330 kV substation where I worked received new equipment that registers and processes information on electrical signals from a network of a very large number of sensors located in different places - the Parma registrar.

This is an ordinary computer with its own software performing purely electrical tasks.

Its installation, connection and adjustment were entrusted to us, with the exception of the assembly and configuration of fiber optic trunks. We have no experience with them.

Up to this point, communication with these sensors occurred through conventional electrical circuits, which are called secondary. However, a whole group of these devices was at a great distance. The project involved exchanging information with them via fiber optic cable. We laid it inside the cable channel ourselves, and a representative of the manufacturer who came from St. Petersburg was involved in the connection and verification.

It was then that it became clear that it was impossible to work with fiber optics without specialized equipment and proper skills. It is impossible to do anything with it with your own hands.

Fiber optic cable design

The transmission of information occurs through optical highways, consisting of separate media, combined into a common structure - an optical fiber cable.

The principle of operation of the optical media

The exchange of information occurs due to the passage of laser light from the built-in LED. Its transmission is carried out by pulses of a binary code in one direction. Therefore, two individual channels have been created at once for the exchange of information.

About cable design

Glass is a fragile material. It can be easily broken, and optical fiber works by using glass fibers. It is clear that they require reliable protection from both mechanical damage and loss of light energy.

To this end optical media in various ways they are combined into rigid modules and made from them into a fiber optic cable. It can be of different designs. One of them is shown in the diagram.

At our substation, two types of cable were used: one with a diameter of 6 mm, and the second with the thickness of the index finger of the hand.

The issue of this technology is described in some detail in the GalileoRU video “Fiber Optic”.

Laying fiber in the field

Last winter, a mechanized laying of such a cable directly into the ground was carried out near us.

The work was carried out by three, and on difficult terrain by four tractors coupled in a train. They were dragging a cable-laying plow buried one and a half meters into the ground. On the trolley of this mechanism there is a large cable reel, which, when manually untwisted by the operator, issues the cable through the plow channels into the trench being cut through.

A highly visible signal tape is automatically placed on top of the optical fiber on the ground layer. It is immediately backfilled with soil, and a trace of a deepening of the order of twenty centimeters or a little more remains on the surface of the soil.

After some time, all the irregularities were leveled with a bulldozer knife of a light wheeled tractor. In summer, the laying route is overgrown with grass. But on the ground it can be restored by concrete columns.

Connectivity technology

On the driveway bulletin board I saw a message from Beltelecom that interested me.

It was also placed on all adjacent buildings. In such an original way, the provider reported that the era of using copper telephone cables in our area was ending, and the nearby automatic telephone exchanges would soon stop working.

All landline users must make a choice:

agree with the transition to new equipment offered by the provider;
or refuse, remaining on the old copper cable.

The choice is voluntary, but very soon the automatic telephone exchange will be stopped: telephone communication over a copper cable will automatically be terminated to the Internet. You will have to conclude a repeated contract and pay money for this service. The provider now performs the replacement of old equipment and the installation of a new one at his own expense, and all this is provided to customers free of charge.

I can tell right away that I was not satisfied. Interested unlimited Internet By favorable tariff from the provider.

Therefore, I agreed with the provider to connect the Internet via fiber optic.

The work carried out was carried out in three stages:

Installation of an optical fiber network;
Getting a new modem and installing it;
Creating and connecting home network equipment to the Internet via optical fiber.

Installation work

Literally a few days after posting the ads, teams of installers appeared in the house from. The roar from them did not stop for two days. The panel structure of the five-story building has good acoustics: sounds spread in all directions.

The work was carried out simultaneously in the entrances and apartments.

Installation of equipment at the entrance

Two separate teams worked inside the house.

First day

Electricians punched small holes through the interfloor ceilings, fastened plastic canisters and laid a 6 mm fiber optic cable in them.

By the end of the day it hung in coiled rings over every door.

The end of each was closed with a special plug.

Subsequent days

In the middle of the landing along the wall, holes were punched in concrete slabs for plastic pipes with a diameter of 4 cm.

This is the loudest period of work. If the rumble of the first day can be satisfactorily endured while in the apartment, then at this stage it is better to move away and spend time in another place until the evening.

The process ends with the installation of equipment for optical junction boxes and plastic pipes for optical fiber cables.

To power the powerful puncher, the electricians used an extension coil and connected it to the intercom socket by opening the common access box.

By pulling out the power cord of the door electromagnets, they created unauthorized access for any people to the entrance. Plug your extension cord into this outlet.

Which ones were in the air and what was scattered throughout the entrance I will not describe. Restoring normal order took more than one day.

Installation of equipment in the apartment

In parallel with the work at the entrance, the provider's specialist entered into an agreement with customers, explained the safety requirements for handling fragile optical fiber, and helped with advice on choosing the location for installing an optical outlet.

It can be installed anywhere. I chose the corner of the corridor near the intercom and the old one. The height of the modem at the level of the knee was quite suitable.

The length of the fiber optic cable in the apartment was only a few tens of centimeters. The hole was punched with a perforator at the level of the plinth.

A piece of steel wire was pushed through it from the side of the entrance.

On reverse side tape was taped to the end of the fiber optic cable.

Plastic boxes were fixed from this place.

Installed the optical socket housing on the wall.

They laid the optical fiber, making a small bay in special grooves.

The boxes were closed with lids.

The completion of these works was recorded in the documentation of the master electrician and certified by my signature.

An important requirement at the place of installation of the modem is the presence of an electrical outlet next to it for connecting the power supply. Its relatively short cord is limited to one meter.

I had to do extra work specifically for the modem. : near the plinth. The location in the corner limits accidental access to it.

Obtaining a Modem and Preparing to Switch to Fiber Optic

A few days later, I received a notice from the provider in my mailbox with a proposal to come to the service center for documentation new contract.

Organizational matters

When I came to the service center, there was no crowd of customers and there was no queue. The indicated date and time of arrival met my expectations.

The operator of the provider quickly completed her work, and I received the completed documentation and a box with a modem.

I was surprised that, when receiving the ADSL modem and the corresponding accessories for it last time, all the equipment was packed in a branded plastic bag with company advertising. Now this box had to be tucked under the arm: the provider saved on packaging.

The operator explained that a team of electricians would arrive from it to install the modem and lay a wired network. The work will be done in sequence. She enclosed the completed form for its holding in the box. I am obliged to confirm the moment of completion of the installation with my signatures and must transfer the completed document to the master.

Then the next stage will follow: a service center specialist will arrive to connect my equipment to the Internet via optical fiber. His task is to remove the telephone network ADSL modem, splitter and extra cables.
I, as a client of the provider, must return to the service center removed equipment on the day of the transition to fiber, or at least the next day.

Technical measures

A few days after visiting the service center, two electricians arrived at my apartment. I gave them a fiber optic modem to mount on the wall.

Its installation was carried out quickly: two holes were punched with a puncher and the case was fixed with self-tapping screws through the dowels, a modem was inserted into it, and a fiber optic cable was connected.

The apartment has plastic skirting boards around the perimeter of the floor. Inside them, two twisted-pair wires from the modem to the phone and TV were secretly laid. I was worried about their length: I assumed that it was limited to standard sizes.

But the issue was resolved very simply. Installers have a large bay of such a cable. They cut off the necessary piece, stack it, and then finish it on all sides.

The crimping of the lugs with the RJ-45 connectors of the cable of the interactive TV set-top box and RJ-11 for the telephone was performed with REXANT pliers.

After completing these operations, I signed the outfit and gave it to the master electrician.

Creating and configuring the Internet

Input scheme

In fact, a network for connecting an optical fiber modem to the Internet was assembled. It remains to re-switch the control of the telephone, TV and computer to it, apply power supply, and perform adjustment of all devices.

This scheme is very similar to working through a copper telephone cable. The difference is that here the landline phone is connected after the modem and loses its autonomy when it is turned off.

If the supply voltage of the 220 volt household network disappears, then any modem is always turned off. When it works using ADSL technology, the phone with the PBX line remains connected via a splitter, and the connection of old devices without a separate power supply is not lost. The subscriber can call anywhere, including emergency services to resolve their issues.

In the scheme for connecting to the Internet via optical fiber, this possibility is not available. There is only hope for mobile communications.

Adjustment work

After completing all the operations, the electricians had to connect the fiber-optic equipment, configure the computer, WiFi networks, phone, TV under its characteristics. These questions were dealt with by the provider's specialists, who arrived after three days of waiting.

One of them energized the fiber optic modem, took out a laptop and began to configure it.

Entered the necessary data to connect the phone to the new network.

Setting the password for the Wi-Fi network and all equipment is performed by the provider's specialist. This is different from connecting to the Internet via a cable telephone line, where an ordinary user can enter the modem settings through a patch cord and change passwords at his discretion.

However, an advanced user has the ability to change the settings fiber optic modem by logging into the router at 192.168.100.1 through the factory login and password, which the provider does not change.

During this time, the second worker dismantled the power circuit of the ADSL modem, switched the TV and telephone control cables to fiber optic. He also collected all the old equipment that is subject to delivery.

We checked the Internet speed on the computer.

I was once again warned that I needed to go to the provider's service center, hand over the old equipment: ADSL modem, splitter and cables to them, transfer money from the old account to the new one.

When switching to fiber, the user is provided with new office on the provider's service, and the old one ceases to operate: until the moment the money is replenished, the Internet will stop working on it.

The prospect of being left without the Internet for more than a day did not suit me. He asked how this issue could be resolved. They helped me to arrange the promised payment, which must be confirmed with a real payment within three days.

All these operations took about 10 minutes. I thanked the provider's specialists for the work done and went to the service center, where they quickly managed to resolve all issues and change the tariff plan to a more profitable one.

When I came home in the evening, I found that the landline phone had stopped working. It upset. It was too late to look for specialists. Left it for the next day.

In the morning, the phone was already working on the new number, and the Internet speed increased dramatically.

Thus, there was a connection to the Internet through the optical fiber of my computer.

The owner of the Diplomatrutube video explains in detail the question of how "PON technology goes from the telephone exchange to the apartment."

If you have any questions on the topic, then ask them in the comments.

High speed Internet is best provided with the help of optical communication lines. Now this technology has come to almost every apartment. The question of how to connect an optical cable is of interest not only to specialists, but also to ordinary users. We will try to cover the topic in more detail.

We will consider the connection using PON technology (passive optical networks) as the most modern and increasingly widespread today, replacing conventional wired lines.

Let's start from the basics in order to understand what we will have to meet, because optical communication technology differs from ordinary and familiar wires for us, both in terms of the principle of operation and in terms of installation methods. Of course, this section can be omitted and proceed immediately to solving practical problems, but, nevertheless, knowing the theory, it is easier to solve many problems that arise in practice. We will try not to bother you with complex terms, but to explain everything simply and popularly.

How does data transmission via fiber optics work?

Signal transmission through conventional wires using electric current rests on two obstacles that limit the speed limit.

A signal with a high frequency quickly attenuates over a long distance.
Currents high frequency large energy losses through radiation into the environment.
Nearby wires and equipment interfere with the signal.

These negative factors are fought by using intermediate amplifiers, screens, twisting wires. But everything has a limit. Today, increasing the speed of information transfer is mainly solved by dividing it into parallel streams. For example, USB 3.0 differs from earlier USB 2.0 in that it uses more than one pair of wires to transfer data.

The problem could be cardinally solved only with the help of fiber optic cables. In them, the signal is transmitted using light, more precisely laser radiation, which weakly attenuates over long distances. For communication, glass fibers are used, in which, due to specially selected properties of the core and the outer layer, the effect of total reflection of the light beam is manifested.

Also, due to their small diameter, they are flexible (thin flexible glass fibers are also found in such familiar materials as glass wool and fiberglass).

The system works extremely simply - on one side of the cable, the laser radiation is modulated, encoding information in it, which is decoded by the photodetector at the other end. Multiple streams can be transmitted over a single fiber, using lasers with different spectra in parallel.

The transmission speed over fiber is orders of magnitude higher than the capabilities of metal conductors and reaches several terra bits per second.

It has fiber optics and other advantages:

Absolute protection against external interference, it is impossible to direct an extraneous signal to such a cable.
Due to the absence of metal conductors, such lines cannot be damaged by high voltage insulation breakdown, therefore they are also safe for users.
Modern fiber optic cable has a small diameter and takes up a lot of space in trays and sewers.
It is impossible to read information without damaging the cable and without violating its performance by known methods (for example, by detecting electromagnetic radiation).

Another advantage of optical fiber is that it is of no interest to intruders, since it does not contain non-ferrous metals.

But there are also some downsides:

such cables cannot be connected by conventional soldering or twisting; glass must be welded or special connecting elements must be used;
fiberglass cables cannot be bent along a small radius;
equipment for receiving and transmitting is complex, although with mature and mass production, as with any electronics, its price is constantly decreasing.

How PON technology works

At first glance, there are two ways to build a subscriber network:

Run the cable from the base station to each user. This is how the standard urban network- from the PBX, pairs of wires go to each phone.
Conduct several trunk lines with high bandwidth, to which active switches are connected - switches that distribute access between subscribers. This is how the first networks were built using twisted pairs (LAN) and later fiber optics as backbones. For example, a fiber-optic line went to the house, access to which was already distributed among the apartments using twisted pairs connected through switches. Such networks were called FTTB (Fiber To Building) - fiber to the building.

PON technology works on a slightly different principle:

Active equipment is installed only at the provider and the client.
Up to 128 receivers can be connected per fiber. The network is built on the principle of a tree, where branches come from the line, and branches of the second order come from them, and so on.
All subscriber devices connected to the same fiber get access to the network with time division. That is, a packet of information is immediately transmitted to one client, then to the second, and so on in turn. Due to the high bandwidth of the line, this in no way reduces the data transfer rate. Communication is also carried out in the opposite direction, but a different wavelength of laser radiation is used.

This approach became possible due to the fact that special devices are used - splitters. They divide the flow of one fiber into several fibers. Radiation losses, of course, are large in this case, but they are compensated by the use of powerful lasers, today the price for them is not so high.

The advantages of splitters are that they are relatively simple, do not require connection to the mains (this is a passive element, hence the name of the technology) and maintenance.

These features of PON technology make it possible to develop networks in any conditions. If for older methods of distributing the Internet, unlike the city, where you can place ordinary switches and servers without problems in any attic or basement and there are no problems with connecting the power supply, in countryside there were great difficulties, for PON there are no such problems.

The splitter can be hung on any wall or power line support and even placed in a well, the devices are not afraid of moisture.

PON network

To make it more clear how PON technology works, we will give a diagram of how such a network is organized.

Let's explain the diagram a bit:

The Internet provider or PBX has an OLT (in English - Optical Linear Terminal - Optical Linear Terminal) from which distribution is taking place. Connected to it cable lines. This is a fairly compact device in the photo below shows a rack that can serve several thousand subscribers.

Several cables extend from each OLT, only one is shown in the diagram, for four cores. They are bred throughout the serviced area in cable ducts, along supports or in another way.

Due to the high power of lasers, the cable length can reach up to 60 kilometers, although manufacturers usually guarantee a high-quality signal at a distance of up to 20 km, but this is quite enough for an average city.

A splitter is hung on each core (in the diagram, these are boxes labeled Spliter), from them there are branches either to other splitters, or directly to customers. The diagram shows a fanout of two cables at the top and four at the bottom, but the signal can be fanned out to more cables, although multi-output devices are rarely used.

After the first splitter, several more can be installed.
At the end of the line, the subscriber has an ONU (on English language Optical Network Unit - Optical Network Unit) it can also be called ONT (in English Optical Network Terminal - Optical Network Terminal) to which you can connect a LAN cable. Sometimes the device is called an optical modem.

In addition to LAN connections, ONUs almost always have telephone sockets, since almost always a PON connection provides a package of services: Internet, telephone, television.

As can be seen from the diagram, the network can be easily developed without high costs. For example, in the upper part, instead of the first ONU, install another splitter, to which two subscribers can already be connected. You can also replace two-channel splitters with four-channel ones, such as those at the bottom of the diagram.

What problems can a regular PON user have?

Our article, as we said above, is not designed for specialists, they already know perfectly well how to connect a fiber optic cable and set up equipment. When connecting to a PON for the first time, providers also usually provide assistance (but more often for a fee, so doing everything yourself can save money) with setting up equipment and networks.

How does the connection usually work?

Contact the provider and write a statement, if necessary, make an advance payment.
After a while, several network installers appear at your entrance. As a rule, these are not employees of the Internet provider company, but third-party contractors. They drill holes in the wall in your hallway, run a fiber optic cable from the switchboard in the entrance to the apartment, weld it and install an optical outlet near the entrance.

Next, the provider's adjusters appear, who hang up an optical modem (usually it is provided for rent), connect it with a cable to an outlet, and then configure it. The Internet is already in the house, it remains to distribute it.

The process is approximately the same in a private house, although the switchboards will either be located on the poles of power lines (electrocommunications), in wells, or not at all, and the subscriber cable will be connected from a separate splitter.

These three steps cannot be completed on your own, only if you are hired by a provider. In addition, under contracts, networks up to the boundaries of home ownership or even to an outlet are serviced by the Internet provider for free (if not intentionally damaged), after the separation boundaries, the lines are considered the property of the client and all costs for their operation are transferred to him.

Connecting ONT in an apartment

The figure below shows a standard scheme for connecting devices to an optical terminal. We will immediately analyze its implementation with our own hands, then we will tell you how you can adjust it depending on the capabilities of the equipment, and how to improve it.

Please note that you will have to deal with optics the least, it is enough to know how to connect a fiber optic cable to a modem, and all other networks are ordinary wired.

Standard service connection

We will describe in detail all the nodes of the circuit, since not everything may be clear to a specialist.

The optical socket, as in most cases, is located near the entrance to the hallway. It is connected to the switchboard with a welded optical cable, which was mounted during installation.
The socket with the terminal is also connected with an optical cable, but it is connected to the connectors. This is a patch cord (this is the name of any fiber-optic and wire connecting cables, we will continue to use this term) as a rule, purchased.

A regular telephone cable is used to connect to the telephone. Instead of a telephone socket, it is connected to the ONT socket, which corresponds to a standard telephone socket, and is laid around the apartment to the place where the device is located.

To connect to a desktop computer, a cable is laid around the apartment twisted pair(LAN cable) which is connected to the corresponding connectors of ONT and PC. The connection is similar to connecting through a regular switch.
In order to connect a laptop, Wi Fi is used; for this, a router is placed next to the terminal. In the diagram, it is designated as a PPPoE/Wi-Fi router. It also connects to the ONT using a twisted pair cable.

The last connection is a TV, for this a receiver is placed next to it digital television(on the Set Top Box diagram, this is the English designation of the device). To connect the receiver to the ONT, twisted pair is again used, with the TV standard HDMI, SCART or Composite (bells) connectors that connect any video devices.

Now let's move on to how to implement this scheme:

To connect to an outlet, it is best to use a ready-made optical patch cord. Such a wire of small length is easy to purchase at any store. You can make it yourself by purchasing a fiber optic cable and connectors, we will talk about this below when we describe how to move the terminal further from the outlet.
Next, we connect the phone - for this, you can also buy a ready-made wire of the desired length with connectors. If it is difficult to choose the length, but you don’t want to make a stock, we make it ourselves.

For the manufacture we need:

special crimping (crimper) for RJ11 - 14 connectors or universal (it will also help with crimping twisted pairs);
cable of required length;
RJ 11 or 14 plugs (they cost a penny);
insulation cleaning tool (nippers knife).

Advice. Do not buy a four-core cable for the RJ14 standard; 2 cores are enough for standard devices.

We remove the top insulation from the wire, for this you can use a knife or wire cutters or crimper blades (if any).
We expose the upper insulation by 6-8 millimeters, do not touch the insulation of individual conductors.
We push them into the body until it stops. Moreover, if we use, as we have already said, a two-wire wire, then the conductors must lie in the sockets of the two central contacts. Which side is red and which side is green is not important, despite the fact that there is a wiring diagram for these connectors, it is not necessary to follow it, telephone sets are not sensitive to polarity.

Then we insert the connector into the crimper, it should correctly lie in the corresponding socket and squeeze its handles. The bar will slide inward, the knives will cut through the core insulation and securely connect the contacts.

Advice. You can try to crimp the connector without a crimper. To do this, having installed the wires, use a screwdriver with a sharply sharpened tip to press the knives individually, and then the bar to secure the wire inside. The work must be done carefully, however, the plugs themselves cost a penny, so you can break a few pieces before you can achieve a normal result.

Another phone can be connected using standard short patch cords. To do this, we install sockets near the phone and ONT.

The conductors in them are usually clamped with terminals. In this case, you need to connect the 2nd and 3rd contacts (the red and green wires are suitable for them, as well as in the telephone cable). This approach is even more convenient.

We connect the computer using a twisted pair cable. As in the case of a telephone, you can try to find a ready-made cable of the desired length or purchase a twisted pair cable and a plug. The crimping occurs in the same way, but with one feature, before installing the conductors into the sockets, you need to develop the ends of the conductors and arrange them in the correct order, it is shown in the figure below.

When preparing a LAN line, do not forget one more feature - twisted pairs have different bandwidth, in order to fully realize the possibilities of optical connection, you need to choose category 5 cables, they provide gigabit speed.

Then we connect the television receiver and the Wi Fi router, everything is exactly the same as for the computer - we extend the twisted pair cable, which we plug into the appropriate connectors. For the latter, if it is located as in the diagram, it is easier to use a ready-made short patch cord. The router will need to be configured, as described in its instruction manual.

Circuit Simplification

The standard scheme is designed for the use of components with minimal functionality. But modern devices have advanced features, we will tell you how to use them.

As a rule, almost all ONTs can distribute Wi-Fi, so you can refuse a router.
TVs with the "Smart TV" function also most often have a LAN input and do not need a receiver.

If you use a radiotelephone, then its base station can be placed next to the terminal and not pull the telephone wire through the house. Moreover, for many, and so the devices are in the hallway where the digital outlet is most often mounted.

In general, using a Wi-Fi connection, you can refuse wires, except for telephone. Many TVs include a wireless network reception module, and for a desktop computer, you can buy a receiver that plugs into either a USB connector or is installed on the motherboard in PCI slots.

True, when connected via Wi-Fi, you will not be able to achieve the high speeds that an Internet connection via a fiber optic cable implies. Wireless network capabilities are limited and depend on the distance to the router and the presence of obstacles (walls).

Schema enhancements

Now let's talk about the possibilities of improving the scheme. Much more can be offered. It is difficult to systematically give options and describe them all, but we will try.

Phone line

Let's start with the simplest - a telephone, in a house there may be more than one device in the office, as in the diagram, but several, in the bedroom, in the kitchen, in the living room. An optical modem most often has only one RJ 11 (RJ 14) connector. Therefore, the line from it will have to be branched; this can be done in three ways.

In the place necessary for branching, install a telephone splitter - a box with three outputs for RJ connectors. Alternatively, install double socket. This option may even be preferable, since later, in case of breakdowns, turning off sections, it will be easy to find a damaged line.
Install any suitable terminal box at the separation point and bifurcate the line with it.
Connect another one to the telephone cable by soldering or twisting.

router

A router installed in the hallway may not provide a clear signal (the weaker it is, the lower the data transfer rate) throughout the apartment or house, especially if the building area is large. It is advisable to move it closer to the center of housing. True, this option is not possible if Wi-Fi is distributed by the terminal itself. Alternatively, install a signal amplifier (repeater) closer to the center.

LAN lines

Due to the location of the fiber optic terminal, twisted-pair lines are long. Although the signal in them does not attenuate much, it is more convenient to lay it all the same from the center, especially if the house has a lot of equipment connected to the network. How the best option, of course, it would be possible to move the ONT terminal itself to the center, but it might not work out that way (more on that below).

But there is one more possibility - we transfer the router to the center, as we said above, and do the rest of the wiring from it. Almost all models of these devices, in addition to distributing Wi-Fi, have at least four LAN ports per output and work like switches.

Also, in the standard scheme, the laptop is supposed to be connected only via a wireless network. But we have already said that Wi-Fi does not fully realize the high-speed data transfer capabilities that an optical terminal provides. Therefore, it is advisable to extend a twisted pair cable to connect it to those places (living room, bedroom, kitchen) where you most often use a laptop.

A television

As we have already said, modern TVs with the “smart” function have twisted pair (LAN) connectors and a Wi-Fi receiver allow you to abandon the receiver altogether. It is correct to call such devices not even TVs, but monoblock computers with the functionality of a TV.

If the TV supports high-definition video or even 3D, it is still better to connect via LAN (due to the possible reduction in speed over the wireless channel). Also for such devices, if a receiver is still used, then it is better to connect it to a TV to ensure video quality not through the SCART or Composite connectors shown in the diagram, but through HDMI or at least DVI.

Another feature today in the house is usually not one TV, but several. How to connect them?

If you need high quality then you have to pull a twisted pair cable to each, if not, then you can get by with Wi-Fi. Even if the TV or receiver itself does not support this technology, the wireless adapter costs less than $10.

In this subsection of the article, we will also answer the frequently asked question - how to connect the optical cable of the TV to the receiver?

In principle, there are receivers that are directly connected to the optical network, but they are mainly used for broadcasting in cable networks, that is, for professional use. All home digital television receivers are connected, as we described above.

Backup power

The disadvantage of modern high-tech communication lines and not only optical ones is that the terminal devices require connection to the electrical network.

If the old telephone could work from the voltage supplied from the PBX through the wires, then the device connected to the terminal is completely dependent on its power supply. That is, if the lights go out in your house, you will not be able to receive and receive calls. Therefore, consider a backup power supply for the optical modem.

Given that the power consumption of an ONT is usually within 15-20 watts, any uninterruptible power supply unit is suitable for this purpose (the abbreviation UPS is accepted - an uninterruptible power supply).

For example, if an uninterruptible power supply has a battery with a capacity of 9 A / h, then it will be able to provide you with communication for 6-7 hours. During this time, the mains usually repair the damage. For rural areas where power outages are longer, a unit with a larger battery can be selected.

It is advisable, in addition to the optical modem, to connect to the UPS and wifi router. Then, in the event of a power outage, you will have not only a telephone connection, but also the Internet, provided that the batteries of your laptop, tablet or smartphone are charged.

Transfer of ONT terminal

As we have already said, the location of the modem at front door not optimal, it is desirable to place it closer to the center of the apartment in order to improve Wi-Fi communication and reduce the length of wired lines.

Of course, transferring the device can be problematic:

perhaps the provider does not allow the modem to move independently;
subscriber optical cable is quite demanding on laying conditions, does not like bending under a small radius, it needs to be additionally protected.

But sometimes it is still desirable to rearrange the modem, especially in large apartments with several levels. Let's consider how this can be done, more precisely, how to extend the optical cable.

There are several options:

Use an optical cable with connectors corresponding to the connectors in the socket and modem (a kind of patch cord) of great length. The most acceptable option, however, such cables are not found on sale, but you can make it yourself. In addition, with this approach, there are no problems with the provider.
Extend fiber with connectors. Below we will see how this can be done. But note that the signal loss with this method will be greater than with the first option.
Weld cable fiber. In fact, it is not so difficult, and we will also look at how this is done. The only problem is that the welding machine costs several thousand dollars and it is not worth buying for the sake of one or two joints. Although if you are going to continue building optical networks at a professional level ...

You can also borrow equipment from a friend or rent for a day.

By the way, sometimes they ask whether it is possible to install two ONTs in one apartment. In principle, you can, but unlike telephones, they cannot work in parallel, you will have to pay for two personal accounts. So this choice only makes sense if you need uninterrupted Internet and it is possible to connect to the Internet through a fiber optic cable from different providers.

By the way, a similar scheme, though wired, is implemented at my house. Through a DSL modem, I am connected to the Republican provider Beltelecom, from which I chose a tariff without a monthly fee. The second connection via twisted pair to the server of the local provider (the director of the enterprise is a neighbor and friend), where the Internet is free. If someone has a breakdown, then I can easily switch to a reserve.

To help, we also offer a video connection of an optical cable:

Connecting and connecting optical cables

All the work that is described below is usually done by craftsmen for a decent fee, although as you can see, they are quite simple with the equipment and tools. In my opinion, mastering the connection of optics is as easy as the correct soldering of the usual copper wires.

True, such a need rarely arises, but we will look with an eye to the future, perhaps soon fiber will replace copper everywhere, and end devices will connect to it directly, and not through ONT.

Installing optical connectors

Consider how the most common SC type connectors are mounted. The vast majority of modems and sockets use this type. For installation, we need a set of special tools and materials.

Although it costs decently, it is still cheaper than an optical fiber splicer. Such sets are usually supplied with detailed instructions, so we will give an approximate order of operations for review.

The steps for installing the connector on the cable are as follows:

We remove the insulation with special wire cutters - a stripper. This tool has calibrated gaps between the cutting edges that allow you to remove layers one by one without damaging the fiber itself.
Then the Kevlar fiber is cut, which reinforces the wire sheath. Doing this with ordinary scissors will not work because of its great strength. You will need stronger blades, which are most often found in a stripper.
Then a part of the connector is put on, which will fix it on the cable.
Then, with a special composition or simply alcohol wipes, the hydrophobic coating on the glass fiber itself is removed.
Next, glue is prepared and drawn into the syringe, which will fix the fiber in the connector. A strictly measured amount of it is introduced into the channel, into which a bare optical fiber is then threaded.
After the adhesive has hardened, the optical fiber is chipped off with a special tool.
Then its end is polished.
In conclusion, the rest of the connector is put on, and it is crimped with a special crimp.

Connecting optical fiber with a mechanical connector

This method is simpler than the previous one, pieces of fiber optic cable are taken, with industrially mounted connectors (pigtails), and joined with a mechanical connector. The disadvantage of the method is the signal loss on the connections, it is comparable to the decrease in light intensity in the connectors themselves (it is clear that you cannot refuse the connectors). So it's better to either weld or mount the fiber into the connector.

Interesting. Pigtail is translated from English as "pig's tail", a fairly apt comparison.

Using the example of the SNR-Link connector, we will describe the performance of the work.

The cable is stripped of insulation and chipped off.
The ends of the stripped cable are installed in the connector.

Then the latch fixing the joint is simply pressed.

This is where the work ends. As you can see in the photo below, the test of this connection shows a loss of 0.028 dB, this is commensurate with the losses in the connector, although according to the passport data, losses up to 0.04 dB are allowed for the connector. By the way, the device is reusable.

wire welding

As we have already said, it is best to weld wires or pigtails, this is also not difficult, the whole problem is only in the cost of the device. We will show how welding occurs in stages.

The device turns on and performs a self-test.

Next, enter the type of cable to be welded. Moreover, for this it is not necessary to professionally understand all types of fiber optic conductors, we simply enter the marking indicated either on the package or on the insulation surface itself.

Then, having removed the outer protective layer with any suitable tool, we install the wire in a special holder. Before that, do not forget to put on the KDZS sleeve (a set of parts for protecting the welded joint), which will then close the welding site.

Then the holder is placed in the thermal stripper of the device, and it turns on. The insulation is removed by heating, with much less risk of damaging the fiber than with conventional mechanical exposure.

The lid closes and the thermal stripper starts up. He cleans the wire himself.

Further, without removing the wire from the holder, we wipe it with alcohol (a round container with a swab is located on the top cover of the device) to remove the hydrophobic coating and install it in the cleaver. The holder in it, as in the stripper, is attached to a magnet. The chipping goes away when the lid is closed. Fiber scraps fall into a special container so as not to get lost (it is easy to drive a thin, almost invisible fiber under the skin, but it is difficult to remove it later).

Attention. Be very careful with fiber optic waste, they should not be lost, as they can be harmful to health. It is especially dangerous if pieces of glass wire get into the respiratory tract.

When the two wires are prepared, without removing them from the holders, we install them directly under the welding electrodes.

We start the welding process. The machine aligns and centers the fibers and splices them in less than ten seconds.

At the end of welding, the device shows the result - what losses will be at this joint. In the image below, they are highlighted with an oval, only 0.01 dB.

It remains to case the KZDS sleeve, for this it is put on the junction (we first remove the holders) and the wire is placed in the furnace.

The process also takes a few seconds. We remove the finished welded fiber optic cable from the oven (carefully, it will be hot).

As you can see, everything is quite simple, if you don’t have crooked hands, you can quickly learn how to weld fiber optics, just read the manual for the welding machine (our article is also suitable) or get a 10-minute briefing. I note that it is much more difficult to quickly acquire the skills of connecting conventional wires using a soldering iron and solder.

We hope that our article told everything about the optical cable, how to connect it, connect, coordinate the operation of the fiber optic modem with other devices. Even if you are not going to mount networks or connectors yourself, knowing how this is done, you can find the cause of breakdowns and ways to fix them. Let the Internet in your home always be fast and uninterrupted.