From torrential downpours to endless snow, salt air to subzero winds, the environments for fiber optic networks aren’t always the friendliest. Fiber optics and the internet may power today’s global economy, but they depend on real-world infrastructure that must operate in rugged, unpredictable conditions.
At Clearfield, we understand these realities. So, our technologies are hardened to live in the wild, not just the R&D lab. We build ruggedized fiber optic cable systems and enclosures that keep working in some of the toughest environments — whether buried in frozen tundra, mounted on sunbaked poles, or braving salt-laden coastal winds.
Take Alaska Communications and Hawaiian Telcom, two Clearfield customers representing the 49th and 50th states, both facing very difficult but equally unforgiving conditions.
Two different, difficult environments for fiber optics
In terms of installation, the beauty of Alaska’s vast wilderness is accessible for only a few summer months before the nights become long, and freezing temperatures turn the ground concrete hard.
In Hawaii, logistics pose a major challenge, as all gear must travel 2,500 miles by boat or plane just to reach the state, then move island to island by barge to reach the installation site. Beyond that, Hawaiian Telcom fiber technicians must find ways to secure FDH cabinets and other technologies on the extremely hard lava rock that comprises the islands.
Then the real challenge begins: how do you keep these networks running while mother nature tries to do her worst? In these areas, fiber distribution hardware must endure daily punishment from heat, cold, moisture, and debris while continuing to support mission-critical internet connectivity.
In Hawaii, fiber technicians deal with salt spray, humidity, and volcanic ash that can damage connections and degrade signal performance. In Alaska, wind-driven mineral dust and subzero cold can cause expansion, contraction, and contamination that disrupt service. Both locations require gear that is tightly sealed, durable, and easy to service. We build these qualities into every Clearfield solution.
Telcordia testing for tough fiber technologies
We run our equipment through rigorous Telcordia testing to ensure its resilience. That includes UV exposure, pest intrusion, and corrosion resistance, as well as fire and ballistics testing. That’s right: we expose products to flames and firearms so you don’t have to worry about what happens after installation.
Take our FieldSmart® Fiber Distribution Hub (FDH) product line, for example. These outdoor fiber cable cabinets are designed for high-density deployments in the harshest field conditions. Each FDH unit meets Telcordia GR-3125 standards, which evaluate a cabinet’s ability to withstand temperature extremes, water penetration, mechanical impact, corrosion, and long-term outdoor exposure. It’s lab-tested and field-proven performance that our customers rely on daily.
In high-risk seismic regions like California, Alaska, and Hawaii, protection doesn’t end outside the building. Clearfield’s FieldSmart® Fiber Crossover Distribution System (FxDS) Frame Kit brings the same reliability indoors, with a Seismic Zone 4 rating — the highest standard for earthquake resistance. That means peace of mind when deploying critical broadband infrastructure in unstable geographies. We know that even if the ground shakes, your network reliability shouldn’t.
Another way we combat real-world challenges is through field-friendly innovations like our pre-connectorized systems and ClearPass® connector cleaning dust caps, which protect fiber interfaces from microscopic debris and speed up deployment. Whether you’re running a fiber optics line through lava rock or across the tundra, Clearfield’s ruggedized fiber optic cable and passive hardware ensure low-loss connections and dependable performance for the long haul.
So even if your network never faces a volcano or blizzard, Clearfield’s fiber optics technology is ready.
Ready to build a fiber network that lasts? Clearfield is up to the challenge.
Clearfield’s Chief Marketing Officer, Anis Khemakhem, is deeply passionate about technology, particularly in advancing fiber optics and telecommunications solutions. Throughout his career, he has consistently focused on leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve connectivity and enhance digital access across various sectors. His executive experience - including leadership positions at Clearfield, Amphenol and Carlisle Interconnect Technologies - demonstrates his executive engagement capabilities and capacity to handle complex, multi-stakeholder projects.