microducts

[Baldur Norddahl <baldur.norddahl () gmail com>]

Hi

I am planing a new FTTH outside plant deployment. We are going to use 
microducts but which system is the best? I see many resources describing 
the options available but few if any will take a stance on which one to 
choose.

Some of the choices are:

1) Ducts with larger fixed tubes for direct burial 12/8 mm. Typically 7 
ducts in a larger tube.
2) Ducts with smaller fixed tubes 5/3,5 mm. Typically 24 small tubes 
with one larger centre tube for backbone.
3) Ducts for direct burial arranged in a stripe side by side instead of 
in a tube. 12/8 mm ducts. Makes it easier to access the tubes and avoids 
problems with tubes of different length on the drum.

And many more variations.

I am planing to deploy in an area with the average distance between 
houses of 10 meters (actually 20 meters but we can serve both sides of 
the road from one walkway, so that makes it 10 meters average).

I want to support a low level of initial uptake of just 10%. The problem 
is that most sources assume that I am planing for anything between 100% 
and 50%. I do expect that we will get more customers than just 10%, but 
the solution might become too expensive, if I have to pay all costs 
upfront years before I have any hope of that many customers.

Some people say just put a lot of plastic down because it is so cheap. 
But it really isn't. I need to put down the correct amount of tubes 
because tubes are everything but cheap. I also need a system that is 
easy and quick to work with because labour is very expensive (but also 
very skilled) around here.

I would appreciate any pointers to articles about this subject.

Regards,

Baldur