The appetite for fiber Internet service is not just growing; it’s surging. As of 2024, over eighty million homes across the United States are now connected with fiber to the Internet, marking a significant year-over-year increase. This remarkable growth trajectory is highlighted in recent studies by leading industry organizations like the Fiber Broadband Association.

Such rapid expansion means a wide array of professionals, including builders, installers, engineers, architects, and service providers are increasingly engaged in introducing fiber service to new residential developments and retrofitting existing structures. This task demands careful planning and a deep understanding of fiber architectures and their specific components.

A critical yet often underappreciated element in this work is the fiber transition point, also referred to as a fiber transition cover or wall plate.

The critical role of the Fiber Transition Point

Adding a fiber drop to a residence connects first to a network interface device (NID) enclosure. Modern NIDs are versatile, featuring multiple fiber adapters, splicing functions, and cable storage, and are typically mounted on the exterior of the building. Following this, a specialized fiber drop is installed within the living space.

The installation culminates at the fiber transition wall plate, which secures and facilitates the connection to customer premise equipment (CPE).

A fiber transition point wall plate, like the FTC2 Fiber Transition Case, is super handy to have around. It’s designed for both protection and functionality. The FTC2 shields fiber connections, and its design ensures the fiber, once terminated, faces downward, mitigating any risk of physical damage to the connecting jumper. The downward-facing shuttered simplex adapter also adds a layer of safety, preventing inadvertent exposure to harmful laser emissions.

At this connection, the fiber optic cable from the NID is terminated onto the adapter within the FTC2, which functions as a single-gang wall plate. A fiber optic jumper then connects from the FTC2’s base to the optical network terminal (ONT), transforming the optical signals into electrical ones.

The converted signals are then distributed across the home to various devices via a router, often converting into a Wi-Fi signal for wireless connectivity.

Optimal installation of the FTC2

Designed for maximum flexibility, the FTC2 streamlines the transition of fiber from exterior to interior settings in various environments.

In greenfield projects, the FTC2 is ideally mounted on a pre-designated, low voltage box and connected to an ONT with a fiber jumper cable.

For brownfield scenarios, the FTC2’s adaptability allows it to meet the specific requirements of a project. It can be neatly installed inside a media panel, like the SOHO Pro P3000, alongside other network components. Alternatively, it can be mounted directly on the wall without a media panel over a standard single-gang, cut-in box or low-voltage cut-in ring.

How the NID and Fiber Transition Cover solution works

The FTC2’s sleek design and internal slack storage make it an invaluable asset in delivering high-speed data to homes. Whether integrated into a new media panel or installed into an existing wall, the FTC2 ensures a neat and secure setup. Its tamper-resistant cover also maintains the integrity of the connection, even in high-traffic areas.

Visit the Simply FTTH section of our website for a deeper exploration of this solution.