The “Invisible Highway” of Communication Networks: Self-Supporting Aerial Optical Cable
Under the scorching sun, workers no longer need to first laboriously erect heavy steel support cables. Instead, they directly secure a special optical cable to utility poles, and a pathway connecting to the digital world quietly unfolds overhead.
Sunlight filters through sparse clouds over an open field, where several utility poles line the road. A team of construction workers stands on an aerial lift. In their hands, they hold not a traditional optical cable and separate steel messenger wire, but a uniquely shaped “figure-8” cable. As the cable is steadily secured onto the hooks of the poles, a channel connecting villages to cities, carrying torrents of data, is established silently above the field.
01 Structural Innovation
In the field of communication infrastructure, the “figure-8” design of the self-supporting aerial optical cable represents a masterstroke of engineering innovation. This design integrates two completely different functional elements—the metal messenger wire providing mechanical support and the optical fiber core transmitting light signals—within a unified protective sheath.
A close look at the cable’s cross-section reveals a clear shape of the Arabic numeral “8”. The upper section, the messenger wire, is typically made of high-strength galvanized steel strand. This is the “strength bearer” of the entire structure, responsible for withstanding all tension from wind pressure, ice and snow load, and its own weight. The lower section is the core area of the optical cable, containing precisely arranged optical fiber units. These glass fibers, finer than a human hair, are the true channels for information transmission.
This integrated, one-piece structural design breaks away from the traditional two-step construction mode of aerial cables, which required “erecting the steel support wire first, then hanging the optical cable.” Depending on the application environment, the cable core itself comes in two types: metal-reinforced and non-metal reinforced. The non-metal core design is particularly suitable for lightning-prone areas as it avoids the risk of metal attracting lightning strikes, enhancing network reliability during severe weather.
02 Safety Considerations
The choice between self-supporting aerial optical cables is not one-size-fits-all. The metal and non-metal core designs address different environmental needs and safety considerations.
In rural and open areas with frequent lightning activity, non-metal core cables show distinct advantages. This design fundamentally eliminates the possibility of metal attracting lightning, providing the communication network with a higher level of lightning protection safety. In urban areas with lower lightning risk or places with established lightning protection systems, metal-reinforced cables are widely adopted for their higher mechanical strength and relatively lower cost.
03 A Revolution in Construction
From a construction perspective, the efficiency gains brought by self-supporting aerial optical cables are revolutionary. In traditional aerial cable installation, workers needed to first erect the load-bearing steel support wire—a process often requiring heavy machinery and more manpower. Only afterwards could the optical cable be strung. The entire process was complex and time-consuming. The advent of self-supporting cables has fundamentally changed this scenario.
Now, construction crews simply install the integrated “figure-8 cable”—combining messenger and core—directly between poles, completing both the support and communication line deployment in a single step. This simplification significantly increases the construction distance achievable per day, an advantage that is even more pronounced in rural areas with complex terrain and poor transportation access.
The improvement in construction efficiency directly translates to faster network coverage rollout and lower deployment costs, which is of great significance for advancing digitalization in rural and remote areas.
04 Connecting Urban and Rural
The application scenarios for self-supporting aerial optical cables are closely tied to their structural advantages. In vast rural and township areas, this type of cable has become the preferred solution for building communication access networks. It extends along existing utility pole routes, crossing fields, rivers, and roads, bringing high-speed broadband networks to every village. Compared to underground burial, the aerial method offers clear advantages in terms of initial investment and maintenance convenience.
Even in urban environments, self-supporting aerial optical cables have their place. They are often used for metropolitan area network (MAN) extensions and aerial sections of long-haul communication lines. In areas unsuitable or impossible for underground installation, such as parks, greenbelts, or for temporary communication lines, these cables provide a reliable and economical alternative. With the advancement of 5G network construction, self-supporting aerial cables are also being innovatively used in building fronthaul and backhaul networks between base stations.
