Why Is the OPGW Live Line Replacing Buried Data Cable?

A primary reason the initial expansion of data cables spanned several decades was due to cost and a variety of external factors which telecommunication companies had difficulty controlling. These issues arose because they were forced to bury all of the data cables. The past decade has seen a rise in OPGW (Optical Fiber Composite Ground Wire). This new design allowed for a compact and interference free signal while leveraging electric power lines instead of being buried. Power networks have connected population centers for decades and are now providing an alternative telecommunication route as well.

No Right of Way Conflicts

One of the most difficult problems telecommunication companies faced when trying to bury their data cable was right-of-way conflicts. The first issue was civil works had to approve the cable route before digging began. This was to ensure the burying process would not cause damage to existing buried electrical lines or public works infrastructure, such as the water and sewer system. The second issue was competing with other telecommunication companies and associated businesses for specific ground related rights. As a result, many smaller communities only had one or two telecommunication companies to choose from. An OPGW live line allows telecommunication companies to quickly add and connect data cables through the existing transmission line infrastructure which bypasses all of the right-of-way conflicts.