Copper-free data and power link transforms traditional antenna technology

Precise timing synchronisation for high-performance networks, is now improved as HUBER+SUHNER launches enhancements to the world’s first truly copper-free fiber powered link.

The HUBER+SUHNER Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Power-over-Fiber solution brings pre-, during, and post installation benefits to telecommunications providers working in the 5G and data center space. Using fiber optics as a means of power for the antenna brings cost and timing savings during installation and operation, as no power distribution is needed on a building’s roof.

“As the volume of data and transfer speeds continue to increase, so too does the requirement for accurate time synchronisation, with GNSS timing signals in use within many applications, from data centers to central offices” says Product manager Dominik Tibolla at HUBER +SUHNER. “Using the GNSS signal from satellites enables the acquisition of precise and accessible timing information from atomic clocks, whilst combining this with the distribution over fiber, lower attenuation over longer distances is enabled.”

Traditionally, power is carried over copper technology with a GNSS antenna. This often requires a power cable to be attached alongside the signal distribution cable. The GNSS and Power-over-Fiber solution from HUBER+SUHNER eliminates the need for a separate power cable by utilising the fiber optic connection to the antenna as a means of power and signal distribution.

GNSS and Power-over-Fiber solutions go beyond where existing technology could reach. It enables an increased distance of a few kilometers between source and receiver system, compared to a few meters previously. Satellite signals cannot usually reach indoor locations due to the blocking effect of the building structure but combining this with fiber distribution internally, the HUBER+SUHNER GNSS and Power-over-Fiber solution distributes the GNSS signals to all corners of a building interior, providing a more secure, reliable, and flexible connection.

Using the fiber as a means of power distribution also offers unlimited safe and secure timing signal reference distribution, with reduced interference. Providers can also take advantage of its ability to make use of existing infrastructure, by only having to pay for what is used within the network and being ‘future-proof ready’, with easy and flexible expansion opportunities. 


Corning’s proprietary technology recognised as Data Centre Physical Connectivity Innovation of the Year.
Award given for the successful delivery of a new cooling system at University College Dublin, one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities.
The State of Data Infrastructure Sustainability report shows data center decarbonization represents a top priority, though organizations are struggling to make progress.
Vertiv joins leading data centre partners in UK-first curriculum at University Technical College.
Juniper Beyond Labs will foster collaboration with EuroFiber, Intel, Purdue University and other customers, partners and academic institutions on research, pathfinding and proof-of-concepts.
Colocation provider Element Critical is proud to announce that Megaport’s industry-leading Network as a Service (NaaS) platform is launching across its national data center platform. Element Critical’s Austin One Data Center was the first facility to introduce the cloud interconnectivity solution. The enhanced EC Cloud Connect capabilities are now also available to Chicago, Silicon Valley, and Houston data center customers.
Award-winning platform now supports ‘off net’ locations, bringing consumption-based networking to more global businesses than ever before.
The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has published a detailed report on the importance of 5G and Wi-Fi convergence in the deployment of seamless, access-agnostic connectivity for enterprise organizations.