Long-term ageing and lifetime verification of Sirocco microduct cables

Optical fibres and cables have been deployed for decades. And with the ever-evolving demand of technologies like 5G, IoT and AI, the telecom networks of tomorrow will need to be more efficient, and robust enough to last even longer.

This White Paper provides detailed information about the longevity of the Prysmian Sirocco HD, Sirocco Extreme and the fibre within them, as well as the rigorous tests that proved a 50+ year longevity.

Who should read this White Paper?

CEOs and CTOs, Heads of Planning, Network Designers, Systems Integrators, Senior Engineers and anybody involved in planning and selecting network equipment for fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network rollout at network owner, operator and provider companies. It is also a useful tool for sustainability officers focused on minimising the environmental impact of telecom infrastructure.

What does this White Paper contain?

• The challenges faced by fibre optic network operators: This White paper details the kind of extreme environmental stresses that fibre networks must withstand, and how the longevity of optical fibre coatings and cable materials is crucial to maintaining network performance over decades. 
• A sustainable solution: Prysmian’s Sirocco HD and Sirocco Extreme cables are presented as a sustainable solution, thanks to their compact size and high fibre density. These features are designed to facilitate easy deployment, efficient use of duct space, and reduced environmental impact. Extensive long-term ageing tests have proven these cables’ lifetimes to exceed 50 years, even under extreme conditions.
• The comprehensive test plan: The White Paper provides in-depth detail of how Prysmian carried out the testing to demonstrate a 50+ year lifecycle. This includes fibre testing, such as water-soak testing, strip force testing, and identification tests before and after ageing. Cable testing included heat and humidity ageing, temperature cycling, UV weatherometer testing, and various mechanical tests to simulate long-term service conditions.
• The results: The tests showed no significant degradation in optical fibre attenuation or cable performance, even after extended exposure to severe conditions. The Sirocco cables maintained their structural integrity and performance metrics, ensuring reliable operation over an extended lifetime.

For more detailed information on the methodologies and  results, download the full White Paper now.