Chile is one of South America’s leaders in digital infrastructure and renewable energy integration. With growing demand for smart grid technologies, broadband internet, and rural connectivity, utilities in Chile began expanding their optical fiber networks to improve grid monitoring, data transmission, and telecom services.
A major state-backed utility, Chilquinta Energía, launched a utility fiber expansion program across central and southern Chile. The challenge was to deploy high-capacity optical fiber along existing transmission lines without shutting down power systems, while ensuring durability in diverse environments ranging from coastal salt air to mountainous terrain.
Uni-Cable was selected to supply All-Dielectric Self-Supporting (ADSS) fiber optic cables and matching hardware accessories, providing a turnkey fiber backbone solution for Chile’s transmission and telecom integration.
Fiber Type: Single-mode G.652D & G.657A1
Fiber Count: 24, 48, 96, and 144 core options
Cable Design:
Central loose tube filled with thixotropic gel
Aramid yarn strength members for tensile strength
UV-resistant PE or AT (anti-tracking) sheath for long-term durability
Span Capability: Up to 600m (standard) / 1200m (reinforced designs)
Operating Temperature: -40°C to +70°C
Voltage Compatibility: Suitable for installations on lines up to 220kV
Suspension Clamps (aluminum alloy + neoprene inserts for vibration protection)
Tension Dead-Ends (preformed rods with thimbles for secure anchoring)
Vibration Dampers (spiral and Stockbridge types)
Joint Boxes & Splice Closures (IP68, pole- and tower-mounted)
Utility Fiber Backbone: ADSS cables were installed along 220kV and 110kV transmission lines, creating a secure communication backbone for SCADA, relay protection, and smart grid monitoring.
Broadband Access: Unused fiber cores were leased to telecom operators, providing high-speed internet to rural areas.
Challenging Terrain: Aramid yarn reinforced designs enabled long spans in mountainous regions, while AT sheaths protected against surface leakage currents in high-voltage corridors.
Maintenance-Free Design: With no metallic elements, ADSS was immune to lightning strikes and electromagnetic interference.
Uni-Cable ensured strict compliance with international fiber optic and utility standards:
IEC 60794-4, IEEE 1222, ITU-T G.652D / G.657A1
Mechanical Tests: Tensile strength, crush resistance, impact resistance, bending performance
Environmental Tests: Temperature cycling (-40°C ~ +70°C), UV aging, salt spray
Optical Tests: Attenuation (≤0.35 dB/km @1310nm, ≤0.22 dB/km @1550nm), splice loss verification
Certification: ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, third-party type test reports
Packaging: Steel-wooden drums with protective wrapping
Fiber Lengths: 2000–4000m per drum, optimized for field deployment
Labeling: Cable markings at 1m intervals; drum marking with fiber count, length, batch, QR code traceability
Shipping Route: Delivered via Port of Valparaíso, staged to match installation phases in central and southern Chile
By deploying Uni-Cable ADSS cables and accessories, Chile’s utility sector achieved:
Reliable long-distance fiber communication without outages during installation
Improved smart grid monitoring and fault detection across transmission corridors
Revenue diversification through leasing spare fibers to telecom providers
Future-proof infrastructure, ready for 5G and IoT expansion
Chilquinta engineers highlighted Uni-Cable’s advantages:
Factory-direct supply ensured competitive pricing
Fast delivery from production to port minimized project delays
Complete solutions with both fiber cables and tested accessories
Quality assurance that met or exceeded IEC and IEEE standards
This project strengthened Uni-Cable's reputation as a trusted global supplier for ADSS communication solutions, supporting the growing integration of power and telecom networks in South America.
