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Invitation for Participation

GR-3173-CORE
Generic Requirements for Composite Optical and Electrical Cables for Use in Wireless Fiber To The Antenna (FTTA) Applications, Issue 1

Telcordia proposes the release of GR-3173-CORE, Issue 1, to address carrier needs and requirements for composite optical and electrical cables in support of applications such as FTTA (Fiber to the Antenna). In this case, the composite cable will carry data over fiber and bring power to the electronics at the top of a transmission tower.

GR-20 and GR-409 address optical fiber and cable requirements for outdoor and premise use. GR-3173 will draw on these existing documents and address the additional criteria related to the incorporation of metallic wire for powering equipment, unique deployment concerns for cellular tower applications, and the need for long vertical runs (up to 100m) without any slack loops.

Telcordia has a long history of providing performance and reliability requirements for optical fibers, cable, and connectors. We anticipate that this new GR will provide the industry with detailed features, functions, and performance requirements specific to FTTA applications. This GR is likely to include various design criteria, generic mechanical and optical performance requirements, and desired features, and will specify the test methods for comparing the products against the stated generic requirements. Telcordia GRs are extensively utilized not only by product manufacturers, but also by the various network service providers who represent the end-users who ultimately evaluate, procure, and deploy such products.

We expect this GR development effort to draw from the existing criteria found in the following Telcordia GRs:

• GR-20-CORE, Generic Requirements for Optical Fiber and Optical Fiber Cable
• GR-409-CORE, Generic Requirements for Indoor Fiber Optic Cable
• GR-326-CORE, Generic Requirements for Singlemode Optical Connectors and Jumper Assemblies
• GR-3120-CORE, Generic Requirements for Hardened Fiber Optic Connectors (HFOCs) and Hardened Fiber Optic Adapters (HFOAs).

The goal of this effort is to create a reference document that will help service providers become more knowledgeable and more comfortable using composite cables. With this Invitation to Participate (IFP), Telcordia hereby solicits industry input and participation in the Telcordia Technical Forum (TTF) as we seek to create a new set of requirements for composite cables. This new Telcordia GR may be used by network providers in evaluating and qualifying composite cable products so that a rigorous and consistent set of criteria is maintained throughout the industry.

The Value of Participation

Participation at the Telcordia-led GR Technical Forum gives participating members the opportunity to hear and share ideas that are germane to meeting carrier expectations for active optical cables. The benefits of participating in this TTF include opportunities to:

• Propose new requirements and/or changes to existing criteria. These changes will have significant implications not only to carrier network design considerations and deployment concerns, but also to the design, manufacture, and supply of these products.
• Raise, discuss, and define key product requirements via face-to-face meetings and conference calls with industry leaders.
• Suggest how telecommunications carriers and suppliers might modify or enhance their practices and policies to enable your company to better deliver high-quality products and services in a more cost-effective manner.
• Network with your current and potential customers, and demonstrate your knowledge and leadership of carrier needs and requirements for active optical cables.
• Have an Enterprise License of the newly issued GR that can be used company wide by you and your coworkers.

Telcordia Invites Your Participation

Pursuant to the current provisions of the Telecommunication Act of 1996, related to the development of industry-wide generic requirements, Telcordia invites all interested parties to participate in this GR project. If your company is interested in participating in this activity, please contact Telcordia. The resulting document will only be available through the purchase of an Enterprise License. All funding participants in the GR development effort will receive a complimentary, enterprise-wide license.

Telcordia seeks at least six funding participants. Your participation is highly encouraged and valued by both Telcordia and the carriers you are trying to serve. Participation may involve contributions in the form of technical discussions, attendance at conference calls and face-to-face meetings of the TTF participants, review of new carrier requirements, and review of generic data and test procedures.

NOTE: NOTE: Customers can also qualify for participation in this GR project at no cost if Telcordia has realized over $40M in revenue from Customer for the time frame of 2/1/10 - 1/31/11. A GR Participation Agreement will still need to be signed, but there will be no incremental fees for participation. This offer is applicable to this GR-3173-CORE, Issue 1, only, and is not valid on future issues of this GR or other GRs, unless specifically stated in an IFP. If you would like to take advantage of this special qualification for this GR effort, please contact Carol St. Jacques at 732-699-6595 or at cstjacqu@telcordia.com.