
Last year, we unveiled our top 40 innovations made by CommScope or one of its acquired companies.
This recognition was part of our 40th anniversary celebration. We are proud of all our
innovations—past and present. Now, we look to new innovations that we hope will
become the essential building blocks for the networks of the future. In a
series of blogs, we will introduce you to our Top Promising Innovations in the world of wireless and fiber optics. We believe these
innovations have the potential to have significant impact on the industry, much
like some of the others from our past.
TENIO
Fiber Closure System
Definition: The TENIO system is a modular gel-sealed
fiber closure system designed for use in outside plant fiber access (distribution,
drop) networks.
Year of Innovation: 2014
What is the
innovation that CommScope was first in creating?
With TENIO, CommScope created a fiber closure system that
allows installers to completely remove its outer housings, base and dome, even when
cables are installed or when the closure is already mounted. TENIO’s tool-less gel-sealed
design provides easy installation as well as 360-degree access to the fibers
inside, enabling faster installations and improved fiber management. Embracing
all above features and being 30 percent smaller to fit existing infrastructure,
the total cost of ownership is less expensive than other fiber closure systems.
What was happening in
the market that this innovation was needed?
With fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) deployments expanding around
the world, fiber deployments have been moving closer to the customer premises.
Network operators needed easier, smaller, and less expensive ways to deploy
individual fibers to customer premises. TENIO makes it possible for network operators
to use lower-skilled technicians to deploy fiber, and saves space in tight
environments such as pole mounts and handholes.
How does this
innovation benefit customers and the industry?
TENIO’s modularity
offers a lot of flexibility in the field. It is compatible with most of the
commonly available cables, and provides excellent cable attachment and sealing
properties. In addition, TENIO is 30 percent smaller than other closures on the
market serving comparable functionalities, making it easier to use in tight
spaces. TENIO’s tool-less installation makes it easier and faster to install,
speeding fiber deployments while reducing costs.
What makes this a
promising innovation for future networks and customer applications?
In FTTH networks,
the fiber count per install continuously increases, and this trend shows no
sign of slowing. As networks become denser, operators will need a small,
error-free fiber closure system that allows the use of smaller infrastructure and
lower-skilled technicians to minimize CapEx and future OpEx. Another benefit to
TENIO is it allows technicians to anticipate future cable, fiber and passive
devices trends supporting migration path needs in the FTTH access networks.
What are some of the
early marketplace successes for this innovation?
TENIO has been sold to more than 60 customers in more than 35
countries. Early adopters were in France and Australia.
What is the
significance of the innovation for CommScope?
The TENIO system’s
patented, modular, gel-sealing technology extends CommScope’s lead in the
market for fiber closures. The product’s gel-sealing technology will be used in
other products throughout CommScope’s fiber closure portfolio.
Does the innovation
follow any established industry standards or do you believe it might set a
precedent for its own?
TENIO closure system meets ITU and IEEE standards for FTTH
networks.
How do you see this
innovation evolving?
CommScope will continue to refine its TENIO system, and will
use modular gel-sealing technology throughout its next generation of fiber
closure products.