MILAN, Italy -- Pirelli has been awarded two major contracts for the provision of overhead optical cable systems in Algeria. The two contracts, worth a total of USD $20m (including installation activities), have been signed with the system integrator Telecommunications Consultants of India (TCIL), and will provide the final customer, the Algerian power and gas company SONELGAZ, a major optical communications backbone.

Both contracts involve the installation of the optical cables under live line conditions using Pirelli patented installation methods and further strengthen Pirelli’s position as the world leader in aerial optical technology.

The first contract covers 3000 km of OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) to be installed on energized 220kv overhead transmission lines on a turnkey basis. Installing OPGW on energized transmission lines requires use of the unique Pirelli-developed installation methodology, which simultaneously ensures safety and cost-efficiency. The OPGW cable performs a dual role. It protects the electrical network from fault current and lightning damage in the same manner as a conventional earth wire, whilst the inclusion of optical fibres – completely unaffected by the electrical environment – within the cable, provides a telecommunication system capable of transmitting high speed voice, data and video traffic.

The second contract covers 1000km of lashed cable to be installed on energized 220kv overhead transmission lines using a Pirelli robotized system. The lashed cable is a dielectric optical cable that, attached to the existing earthwire of the transmission lines, allows the installation of optical fibres in electrical networks at high speed and reduced cost. The Pirelli installation system, utilising radio controlled robots, allows live line installation without risk to personnel working in the vicinity of the line.

Executive Vice President, Telecom Cables & Optical Fibres, Giovanni B Scotti commented “We are delighted to be working with TCIL on these two important projects which demonstrate the benefits of being able to integrate the key technologies of optical fibre and advanced cabling together with specialized installation methods.”

Under the terms of the contracts, Pirelli will supply 4,000 kilometers of aerial cables containing 24 fibres. The fibres will be produced at Pirelli’s state-of-the-art production facility, FOS, in Battipaglia, Italy where a complete portfolio of optical fibre types is manufactured, ranging from Multimode G651 fibres for premises cables to G655 NZD fibres for high bit rate, long haul applications. Pirelli also produces the latest generation of G652 fibres with the tightest specification available on the world market today. All OPGW cables and accessories will be produced at Pirelli’s specialist facility in Vilanova i la Geltru (Spain), which will also be responsible for engineering and installation services.

Pirelli SpA