EXFO Boosts Field Testing Efficiency For FTTH Networks With Innovative Solutions & Partnership

EXFO announced two new field test solutions that make EXFO-quality testing accessible to all technicians supporting today’s expansive FTTH deployments. EXFO’s FIP-200 Connector CheckerTM ensures trouble-free broadband activation in one click, while the AXS-120 mini-Optical Time Domain Reflectometer improves field testing of last mile FTTH access networks. These entry level, easy-to-use solutions are featured at EXFO’s booth #147 at Connected Britain in London underway today and tomorrow.

“With the huge growth in FTTH deployments and investment by numerous governments in broadband expansion, ensuring that all technicians have access to and know how to use field test equipment has never been more important,” said Sophie Legault, Director Network Deployment and Operations at EXFO. “We’ve extended our product lines with the simple to use tools announced today that make fiber testing available to all field teams, regardless of crew size or experience.”

A known and ongoing challenge to seamless connectivity is dirty connectors—the number one cause of network issues. With just one click, EXFO’s new FIP-200 connector checker can validate connections on the spot during FTTH service activation. Even inexperienced technicians can properly perform fiber inspection. Increased efficiency and accuracy translate to savings in time, money, and staff training for network operators, along with improved compliance and reduction in the effort required to analyze results.

Similarly, operating OTDRs is a task frequently assigned to expert technicians because the devices require expertise to operate and OTDR traces can be challenging to interpret. But with the expanding scope of today’s broadband network builds, expert technicians are in high demand. EXFO’s new AXS series addresses the expertise and availability challenge by providing highly accurate and reliable results, with built-in trace analysis delivered by a compact, easy-to-use and lightweight device. With patented Swap-Out connectors—a unique feature of EXFO field equipment—investment in equipment maintenance is reduced.

Both the AXS-120 and FIP-200 integrate seamlessly with cloud-based EXFO Exchange for automatic uploading of results supporting right-first-time installation.

Expanding upon EXFO’s Exchange automated processes, a new partnership with IQGeo will enable integration of specific workflows at the planning, design, and operational stages of network deployment and management. This will deliver complete end-to-end workflow integration, including network readiness validation leveraging EXFO's test expertise.

IQGeo supports users globally in the telecom, fiber, and utilities sectors with geospatial network management software that models any network requirement, integrates every system and data source, and supports field and office teams. With EXFO and IQGeo integrated solutions, FTTH and 5G rollouts will have increased resilience and better return on investment.

Source: EXFO media announcement