Fiber optic cable has a number of advantages over traditional cable. Connections are less prone to outages because they use light, not electricity, to provide connectivity. Fiber optic Internet is also faster than traditional cable technology.

Installing underground fiber optic cable presents a number of challenges. It’s important to hire a contractor with a sophisticated understanding of underground utilities installation to complete your fiber optic project.

In this brief post, we’ll evaluate some of the installation methods that can be used for fiber optic cables, and the challenges inherent in fiber optic cable installation.

Direct burial VS underground duct installation

There are, broadly speaking, two methods of installing fiber optic cable underground: direct burial, and duct installation.

Direct burial is the most efficient method of installation, in terms of time saved. For this reason, it’s generally used for cross-country fiber optic installation. That means most projects in Albuquerque will use duct installation instead.

In direct burial installation, the cable is simply laid into a trench. The cable must be armored, generally with steel. This can help it survive rodents, settling earth, and other potential damage. This installation is preferred over long distances because it can be done quickly, which can save on labor costs.

Duct installation is the type of installation you’ll see most commonly around Albuquerque. This form of installation offers a number of advantages: the ducts offer protection, which means the cable does not need to be plated, and it’s relatively easy to install new ducts and extend the length of the fibre optic connection. 

Fiber optic installation challenges

Fiber optic cables must be installed carefully. Trenches must be dug in a straight line, as the cables don’t respond well to being bent too much. 

The installer must also be cautious of all other underground utilities in the area, including other cables and pipelines. They’ll also need to put warning labels above all of the cable they install to alert other contractors of the presence of the cables.

There are also specifications for where the cables must be buried. Contractors must follow bylaws, as well as state and federal laws. Cables must be buried below a certain depth – at least below the frost line. They must also take care not to damage the cables they’re working with.

When you hire DUB-L-EE as your commercial contractors in Albuquerque, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. We’ve installed underground utilities of all kinds – including single mode and multimode fiber optic cable. Our experience means we can easily identify and work around other utilities, and we can dig trenches with as little disturbance as possible to the surrounding area.