Abstract: A buried fiber optic cable system includes a distribution cable extending along a buried route, a splice enclosure connected to the distribution cable along the buried route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the buried route in a first direction away from the fiber optic splice enclosure. The first sub-distribution system may include spaced apart fiber optic taps along the buried route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable between the fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation. The system may also or alternately include a similar lateral sub-distribution system.

Abstract: A cable installation system for use by a cable installer may include a plurality of cable dispensers having different lengths of cable. In particular, each cable dispenser may also have a non-numeric, length-identifying marking associated therewith corresponding to the length of cable. Furthermore, the system may also include a cable dispenser indicator device for use by the installer to determine a distance between first and second locations, such as a cable tap and a subscriber interface. The cable dispenser indicator device may also provide an indication to the installer of the non-numeric, length-identifying marking corresponding to the determined distance so that the cable installer can select the corresponding cable dispenser from the plurality thereof. By way of example, the non-numeric, length-identifying markings may include a series of different colors and/or graphics for respective length ranges.

Abstract: A cable deployment and storage system includes a cable reel mounting device, and a cable reel for carrying a length of cable. The cable reel includes a hub that may be rotatably mounted on the cable reel mounting device during deployment of the length of cable, a pair of inner end flanges carried by respective opposing ends of the hub, and a pair of removable outer end flanges carried by respective inner end flanges to contain the length of cable therebetween during deployment. The outer end flanges may thereafter be removed to reduce a size of the cable reel. The pair of inner end flanges may store any remaining length of cable therebetween after deployment. The cable may include connectors installed at each end during manufacturing.

Abstract: A NID includes a base having a network area and a customer area adjacent thereto. The NID may also include a cable reel carried by the base. An access cover may be provided for the cable reel and the base that may include a network cover door for the network area, and a customer cover door for the customer area. The access cover may have a shape defined by at least a portion of an ellipsoid. The shape of the access cover may be defined by half an ellipsoid with major and minor axes adjacent the base, and the base may have an elliptical shape. The cable reel may be rotatable with the base or rotatable independent thereof.

Abstract: A cable installation system for use by a cable installer may include a plurality of cable dispensers having different lengths of cable. In particular, each cable dispenser may also have a non-numeric, length-identifying marking associated therewith corresponding to the length of cable. Furthermore, the system may also include a cable dispenser indicator device for use by the installer to determine a distance between first and second locations, such as a cable tap and a subscriber interface. The cable dispenser indicator device may also provide an indication to the installer of the non-numeric, length-identifying marking corresponding to the determined distance so that the cable installer can select the corresponding cable dispenser from the plurality thereof. By way of example, the non-numeric, length-identifying markings may include a series of different colors and/or graphics for respective length ranges.

Abstract: An aerial fiber optic cable system includes a distribution cable extending along an aerial route, a splice enclosure connected to the distribution cable along the aerial route, and a first sub-distribution fiber optic system extending along the aerial route in a first direction away from the fiber optic splice enclosure. The first sub-distribution system may include spaced apart fiber optic taps along the aerial route, a first sub-distribution fiber optic cable between the fiber optic splice enclosure and a first fiber optic tap, and at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable between adjacent fiber optic taps so that the first sub-distribution fiber optic cable and the at least one second sub-distribution fiber optic cable are arranged in end-to-end relation. The system may also or alternately include a similar lateral sub-distribution system.

Abstract: An optical fiber connector having a magnifying lens to aid the user in placement of the optical fibers to be abutted.