Extend the FTTH home connection for Telekom

Fiber-optic connections all the way to the building—that is the goal of the FTTH (Fiber to the Home) concept. However, the distance between the transfer point in the basement or at the property line and the actual connection point inside the building is often longer than originally planned. In such cases, an extension of the home connection is necessary: The fiber-optic cable must be properly routed so that the connection is actually usable.

The GRAEF Group has taken on precisely this task for Telekom: extending FTTH home connections—from cable laying and splicing to a clean handover. Such work requires precision, experience in handling optical fibers, and a structured approach to ensure that the fiber-optic connection remains stable and low-loss over the long term.

Why house connections need to be extended

In practice, there are various reasons why an FTTH home connection does not terminate directly at the planned endpoint:

Building structure and utility routing

Older buildings, complex floor plans, or subsequent renovations may make it impossible to follow the originally planned route. In such cases, an alternative route must be found and the line extended accordingly.

The handoff point and the point of use are far apart

Often, the connection point (e.g., the building entry point or basement distribution panel) is located far from the actual point of use—such as an office on the upper floor or a residential unit at the other end of the building. An extension cable bridges this distance neatly and in compliance with standards.

Retroactive development

For existing buildings that are being retrofitted with fiber-optic connections, running an extension cable is often the only way to reach the desired endpoint—without having to go through the costly process of laying new cable along the entire route.

Technical requirements for an FTTH extension

Extending a home connection is not simply a matter of “running a cable.” Fiber optics impose specific requirements in terms of handling, connection technology, and quality assurance.

Cable installation and routing

Depending on the building and the situation, different installation methods are used: conduit, cable trays, in-wall installation, or surface-mounted installation. It is essential that the fiber-optic cable be routed neatly, with strain relief and mechanical protection, to allow for future maintenance and upgrades.

Splicing: Connections of the highest quality

When fiber-optic cables need to be connected, splicing is required. In fusion splicing, the optical fibers are thermally fused together—a technique that ensures minimal attenuation and long-term connection stability. Each splice is then measured and documented to verify the quality of the link.

Measurements and Quality Assurance

Once the work is complete, the entire line is measured using an OTDR (Optical Time Domain Reflectometer). This allows attenuation values, reflections, and any faults in the line to be precisely located and documented. The line is considered accepted only once the measured values meet the requirements.

Telekom's Requirements: Compliance with Standards as a Prerequisite

Work on telecommunications infrastructure is subject to clear technical specifications. Installation quality, splice values, documentation, and handover formats must meet the network operator’s requirements. This requires that contractors be familiar with the applicable standards and processes and work in a structured manner—from planning through execution to the handover of measurement reports.

Implementation by the GRAEF Group: Experience in fiber-optic installation

The GRAEF Group brings extensive experience in the installation and connection of fiber-optic cables—from cable routing within buildings to splicing work and final testing. The focus is on clean, traceable execution: every connection is made correctly, and every section is measured and documented.

For clients like Telekom, this means: reliable execution according to specifications, a structured handover, and a fiber-optic link that operates reliably over the long term—without the need for corrective work.

Fiber Optics as Infrastructure: Why Quality Matters During Installation

FTTH is an infrastructure designed to last for decades. Errors during installation or in splice connections can lead to unstable connections, increased attenuation, or time-consuming troubleshooting in the long run. Careful execution from the very beginning is therefore not a matter of cost, but an investment in the infrastructure’s longevity. This is precisely the standard by which the GRAEF Group implements such projects—precisely, with full documentation, and with the goal of delivering a network that functions reliably over the long term.