Case Study: ADSS Cable Deployment in Guatemala
Guatemala’s rugged landscape – with mountains and forests – posed a challenge for network expansion. A local utility needed to connect remote communities and substations without costly trenching. WeUnion recommended All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) cable, a metal-free aerial fiber solution that uses existing power poles. This approach avoided underground construction and cut deployment time/cost by roughly 40%.
Why ADSS Cable?
ADSS cable’s features matched the project needs:
Safe near power lines: No metallic parts, so the cable can be placed alongside high-voltage lines without electrical interference.
Self-supporting: No messenger wire or extra poles needed – the cable spans between towers on its own, enabling fast single-pass installation.
Light & flexible: The slim cable spans hundreds of meters between towers, easily traversing hilly or forested terrain.
Weather resistant: With a UV-resistant jacket and water-blocking core, ADSS withstands rain, ice and high winds.
Deployment and WeUnion Support
WeUnion worked with local crews to aerially deploy the cables on existing power lines. The supplied MiniADSS cables were customized for the required span lengths and fiber count. WeUnion also provided tension clamps, dampers and on-site training. The cable’s 10–14 mm diameter allowed use of standard pole fittings, simplifying work in the steep mountain terrain.
Results and Feedback
The ADSS installation connected several rural villages and substations. Operators report that remote users now have reliable broadband for education, commerce and even telemedicine – similar to outcomes in Costa Rica where ADSS brought high-speed Internet to isolated communities. The aerial route was completed much faster and at lower cost than an underground build. Engineers observed the ADSS link remained stable through heavy rain and wind with minimal maintenance needed. The client was satisfied that WeUnion’s solution met their connectivity needs efficiently and durably, demonstrating the practical benefits of ADSS in Guatemala’s challenging environment.
