Kenyan network installers should begin with the actual mating interfaces and site fiber records before assigning this product to a link. This simplex FTTA patch cable carries a single OS2 9/125µm single-mode fiber from the baseband equipment to the radio unit, matching the single-fiber optics now common on tower-top radio units. It uses the matching 7.0mm LSZH outdoor structure as the duplex FTTA range: Corning G.657.A1 bend-insensitive glass under an UV-stabilized jacket, with a helical steel armored branch protecting the exposed section at each end. The LC UPC interfaces plug directly into BiDi and single-fiber SFP modules used in LTE and 5G radio systems.
Product Highlights
- Matches single-fiber BiDi optics on radio units
- Corning G.657.A1 bend-insensitive fiber, 20/10D bend radius
- 7.0mm LSZH UV-stabilized jacket for outdoor exposure
- Helical steel armored branch against rodents and birds
- Stock lengths 3m to 50m; project lengths on request
- LC UPC to LC UPC simplex, OS2 9/125µm single mode
Specifications
| Connector Type | LC to LC |
|---|---|
| Polish Type | UPC to UPC |
| Fiber Mode | OS2 9/125µm |
| Wavelength | 1310/1550nm |
| Fiber Count | Simplex / 1 Fiber |
| Fiber Grade | Corning G.657.A1 |
| Min. Bend Radius (Fiber Cable) | 20/10D (Dynamic/Static) |
| Attenuation at 1310nm | ≤0.36dB/km |
| Attenuation at 1550nm | ≤0.22dB/km |
| Cable Jacket | Low Smoke Zero Halogen (LSZH) |
| Cable Diameter (Outer/Inner) | 7.0/2.0mm |
| Armored Breakout Length (End A/B) | 0.03/0.34m (0.2m optional) |
| Tensile Strength | 200/400N (Long/Short Term) |
| Crush Resistance | 1100/2200N (Long/Short Term) |
| Insertion Loss | ≤0.3dB |
| Return Loss | ≥50dB |
| Operating Temperature | -20 to 70°C (-4 to 158°F) |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 80°C (-40 to 176°F) |
Single-fiber links on modern towers
A growing share of radio units use bidirectional optics that run transmit and receive on one strand. A simplex jumper matches that architecture exactly: one fiber, one connector at each end, no dark strand coiled behind the radio. Using a simplex cord instead of a duplex with one leg parked reduces weight on the tower, simplifies port assignment and removes the risk of a dangling unterminated leg collecting moisture or damage.
Mechanical protection where it counts
The exposed ends of an FTTA run take the real abuse: clamp pressure at the optical cable entry, vibration from the structure, and wildlife along the pathway. The helical steel armored branch on this jumper absorbs that exposure while staying flexible ample to dress through glands and narrow tray entries. Because the armor is built into the branch rather than added on site, the protection is consistent from the first meter to the optical connector boot.
Bend tolerance for congested enclosures
Junction boxes at the tower base and the optical cable entry at the RRU shroud leave little room for generous bends. Because G.657.A1 glass keeps attenuation stable at a 10D static bend radius, the jumper cable can usually be dressed into the obtainable space without eating into the channel budget. The fiber remains fully compatible with deployed G.652.D feeder plant; therefore, the simplex jumper integrates into current single-mode infrastructure without re-engineering the channel.
One jacket from shelter to antenna
Because the pathway generally begins inside a shelter or cabinet and ends outdoors, the LSZH jacket is specified for both environments: low smoke and halogen-free behavior for indoor sections, UV and chemical resistance for the outdoor climb. A single continuous jacket means no transition hardware and one less potential failure point between the baseband equipment and the radio.
Standard lengths and custom builds
Regular lengths are stocked for fast delivery: 3m (10ft), 5m (16ft), 10m (33ft), 20m (66ft), 30m (98ft) and 50m (164ft), covering the common shelter-to-tower and frame-to-radio runs this cord is built for. Project-specific lengths beyond this range are manufactured to order. On single-fiber links the jumper cable length directly sets the slack stored at the RRU shroud; ordering the measured length keeps the installation clean and avoids a heavy service loop hanging from the radio unit. Specifying the specific pathway length avoids both the slack storage problem of an overlong cord and the strain risk of one that is too short.
Factory testing and quality checks
Each simplex product is terminated with precision zirconia ferrule LC connectors and optically tested before packing. Insertion loss is verified against the 0.3dB ceiling and return loss against the 50dB minimum on every cord, and end-face geometry is inspected so the physical contact stays consistent across repeated mating during commissioning and upkeep.
How to Order and Factory Support
Refer to the LC-LC simplex FTTA range when asking for a quotation and state the pathway length. Where the radio or the baseband side uses SC instead of LC, or where a non-standard breakout is needed at one end, the project-specific simplex FTTA program covers the matching outdoor platform; send the specification with the request and the factory confirms the build before manufacturing. Project support for Kenya and East Africa is available to reconcile the ordered configuration with the intended installation.