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In today’s world, reliable access to data and information is essential for running a successful business. When selecting new premises—whether an office or an operational facility—the availability, quality and future readiness of the building’s digital connectivity have therefore become important considerations.

Flexibility to suit future needs

WiredScore assesses and certifies the quality, resilience and future readiness of a building’s digital connectivity. It helps owners, developers and occupiers understand how well the digital infrastructure can support current requirements and adapt to changing needs.

The Halonex® data network infrastructure from FiberUnlimited makes it possible to adapt the location and number of data access points (nodes) quickly, most of the time without installing new cabling back to a central distribution point. This flexibility will contribute positively to the scalability and future-readiness criteria assessed as part of WiredScore certification.

Limit initial cost and add with growing needs

The ability to adapt and expand a building’s digital infrastructure contributes to a strong WiredScore assessment and provides greater flexibility throughout the lifetime of the building.

A traditional approach is to deploy an extensive star-shaped UTP network in anticipation of possible future demand. This can require substantial amounts of copper cabling, together with the associated labour and installation costs, and may result in connections being installed that are ultimately never used.

FiberUnlimited offers an alternative approach with its Halonex® solution. Depending on the building and network design, its ring architecture can require up to 80% less cabling than a conventional star-shaped UTP network. And only the connection points needed at the outset have to be installed initially.

As requirements change, additional connection points can be added quickly and most of the time without extensive recabling. This reduces the cost and disruption associated with adapting the network and supports the building’s long-term digital readiness.

First logistics building in the Netherlands to achieve WiredScore Platinum

In cooperation with Van den Pol Elektrotechniek and Heembouw, the Halonex® network was deployed at Rotterdam Logistics Park, A & D, a Delta Development project in Hellevoetsluis, the Netherlands.

Plastic Optical Fiber (POF) was installed throughout the building, together with an initial number of data connection modules (nodes) to provide network access. The network can swiftly be adapted and scaled to meet occupiers’ requirements by adding nodes on the installed POF where they are needed.

The Halonex® solution contributed to the building achieving WiredScore Platinum—the highest available certification level—and becoming the first logistics building in the Netherlands to receive this certification. WiredScore assesses the building as a whole; Halonex® supported relevant aspects such as scalability and future readiness.

Additional sustainability benefits

Available life-cycle calculations demonstrate that POF cabling will have a lower material-related carbon footprint than conventional CAT6 cabling. It is a copper-free solution and, in many applications, the lightweight cable can be installed without a dedicated cable tray, subject to the applicable installation requirements.

The ring architecture also substantially reduces the total amount of cabling required. The resulting carbon reduction of the installed network depends on the design, the number of connection points and the specifics of the building, but typically can exceed the 90%.

The LED-based optical technology also reduces operational energy consumption compared with a functionally equivalent traditional network, with actual savings depending on the configuration and active equipment used.

Taken together, the reduced use of cabling, the absence of copper in the data cable and the network’s adaptability will lower material use and environmental impact over the building’s lifetime.

Interested in the technology or want to explore the opportunities for your business?  Please contact us.