MTelecomms was appointed for the construction of a fibre optic feeder routes, which generally run from Pietermaritzburg to Empangeni, and constitute 18 sections, and has a total project value of R50M. The routes include the cables that run underground and those that run above ground on masts, and those that are made of the combination of underground and above ground configurations. Illibrium Technologies formed part of the Quality Assurance Team, whose role was to ensure best-practice engineering practice.
Vodacom has got very high specification, and meeting their specification requires focused effort. The primary specification document is called the ‘Standard Specification – for Civil Engineering Work – for the installation of an optic fibre network’.
This provided the framework for the methods applied in executing the work, the quality control procedures, quality assurance processes, as well as the project management approach.
This standard engineering specification aims to integrate the Vodacom specifications with the construction specifications from a Civil Engineering perspective accordance with COLTO, SANS and applicable standards.
This standard specification covers all materials, excavations, backfill and reinstatements of handholes, trenches, road, and specialised crossings.
The compactions levels speak to the stability of the matrix that hosts the cables. DCP tests were conducted to confirm acceptable levels of compaction. Pressure tests were conducted to check the durability of the conduit. The integrity of the network was determined by conducting the integrity test making use of the OTDR, which uses the light measuring mechanism to determine whether there is no section of the cable that has been broken, and thus cannot transmit the light and achieve the required connectivity.