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Access boxes, which are mainly used in irrigation systems for landscaping and sports fields, are now also playing a key role in the telecommunications sector. Originally designed to protect irrigation components such as valves, filters and fittings from dangers including the elements, storm damage and vandalism, they are now also essential for ensuring protection and accessibility of fiber optic connections.
The U.S. Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program is making $42 billion available for the expansion of high-speed Internet access through the financing of planning, infrastructure development and deployment programs in the United States. The funding program aims to ensure all US citizens have access to the Internet.
With this extensive funding for fiber optic expansion at both the state and federal level, the American telecommunications sector is preparing for enormous growth.
Need for reliable access boxes
When laying fiber optic cables, it is necessary to establish the connection from the exchange to the household, using the so-called “Fiber to the Home (FTTH)” principle. The purpose of a handhole or “flowerpot” is to make sure this connection is protected and accessible.
These boxes from NDS, a subsidiary of NORMA Group, serve as housings to protect the fiber optic connections to the building.
Using plastic instead of concrete makes them light enough to be installed by just one person while at the same time offering sufficient protection against external influences. These properties make them ideal for use in residential areas where they frequently come into contact with pedestrian traffic and lawn care equipment.
Fiber to the Home – Images of the installation of NDS boxes in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Wider range of functions for the telecommunications sector
Valve boxes are critical components of irrigation systems. They provide access to underground valves and protect them from external elements such as UV rays and damage. Access boxes for the telecommunications sector are an extension of the current range for irrigation systems.
They offer additional features such as electronic marker disks, which are attached to the underside of the lid for locating purposes, universal locking mechanisms (ULM) and additional cable hooks. These features help to ensure that the fiber optic connections are safe and easily accessible.
An international comparison of fiber optic connections – a market for the future
In June 2023, South Korea was the world leader in the fiber optic broadband connections among countries that are members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In June 2023, nearly 89% of all broadband connections in South Korea were fiber optic connections.
South Korea is followed by Japan, Iceland, Spain and Sweden with over 80 percent. At around 22 percent, the USA is below the average for OECD countries, which is around 41 percent. Greece brings up the rear with 0.5 percent.
The switch to fiber optic cable is at different stages depending on the region. Fiber optics are, however, regarded as the telecommunications cable standard of the future and offer enormous potential.
A glance at the future
The NDS telecommunication boxes are currently only available on the American market, but there is considerable potential for international expansion, particularly in regions with growing fiber optic expansion such as EMEA and APAC.
With the ongoing broadband expansion and the investments associated with this expansion, our products are ideally positioned to make a significant contribution to improving and modernizing telecommunications networks worldwide. The combination of proven technology and innovative functions makes our access boxes an optimal solution for the growing demand for high-quality and reliable telecommunications infrastructure.
