[LINK] Anticipated service life of fibre

[David Boxall]

On 5/04/2016 9:53 AM, Andy Farkas wrote:
> On 05/04/2016 08:59, David Boxall wrote:
>> How far it can go in the century-or-so anticipated service life, it's
>> our duty to find out.
>
> David, you've mentioned this "anticipated service life" a few times now.
> ...
Originally, it was a response to the "shorter life than copper" meme. As 
I remember it, original contracts for optical fibre specified a minimum 
of 25 years. That was picked up by opponents and compared to the 30-year 
service life of copper.

These days (as in ten years ago), network planning generally specifies a 
40-year minimum, with an expectation of at least 60. Industry generally 
goes with a century, fully anticipating it will last longer. Fibre 
that's been in service in the US for about four decades is showing no 
signs of degradation, last I heard.

The limitations are not the glass itself, but the coatings, ducts and 
associated infrastructure. There's also the factoid that a break can be 
expected each year for every 400 (?) kilometres of any network.

-- 
David Boxall                    |  My figures are just as good
                                 |  as any other figures.
http://david.boxall.id.au       |  I make them up myself, and they
                                 |  always give me innocent pleasure.
                                 |                     --HL Mencken