The Dutch incumbent KPN has become the first telco in Europe to test sustainable fibre-optic cabling.
In September it will start a trial to install a fiber optic network made from 90% recycled plastic. Only 10% new plastic is then needed to manufacture the tube into which the fibre-optic cable goes.
Commenting on the development, Joost Steltenpool, responsible for the fibre-optic network at KPN, said: “KPN has been committed to sustainability for years and together with partners we are investigating how we can install fibre-optic fibre faster, more sustainably and with less inconvenience. Our ambition is not only to provide as many people as possible with superfast internet, we also want to do this in a sustainable way. Our customers want that too. This new development makes a further contribution to this”.
Erik van den Oever, commercially responsible for the development of the Prysmian Group concept, added: “Due to the smaller and more flexible cables and pipes, the often full cable routes are less stressed. In addition, they are easier to install and spare tubes can be reused”.
The innovation has been developed and is being tested in collaboration with KPN partners Allinq, Van Gelder Telecom, Prysmian Group and VolkerWessels Telecom. It is a trial in Buitenpost (Friesland) and Nijmegen Dukenburg. If the result is positive, it will be released for more fibre-optic construction projects at KPN.
KPN plans to provide more than 40% of Dutch households with fibre by the end of 2021. About 2.6 million households (32%) are already connected to its fibre optic network.