Fibre optic roll out on Eskom transmission system

The fixed line telecommunications industry in South Africa is in the process of deregulation. It is envisaged that the authorities will issue a second fixed line network operator licence in 2002/3. Eskom Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eskom, is gearing up for a 30% share in the second network operator. In preparation for the above, Eskom Enterprises has embarked on USD 100 million project to establish infrastructure. 10000 km of optic fibre telecommunication network has been installed on existing Eskom power lines over the last 14 months. Three basic technologies were employed, namely OPGW (optic fibre ground wire), AD Lash (all dielectric lashed cable) and ADSS (all dielectric self-supporting cable). Each technology presented specific challenges with respect to live installation and technical and environmental factors. Subcontractors and in-house teams were trained and utilised for the roll out. Both conventional and helicopter based aerial live work skills were employed. This paper focuses on the installation of the optic fibre cable under energised conditions and concludes with a comparison of the different technologies utilised.