Europe’s telecom networks face unprecedented demands for capacity, reliability, and speed. Whether maintaining copper-based broadband and coaxial TV services or installing cutting-edge fibre-optic connections, service providers must safeguard their critical infrastructure.
One overlooked threat that can compromise performance and uptime? The sealing of jointing points.
FILOform’s specialist sealing and protection solutions are designed to do exactly that. We deliver robust, long-term sealing protection for underground telecoms assets.
“Our job is to help telecom operators sleep at night,” says FILOform’s Ian Joynson. “If your network is sealed properly from day one, you prevent so many of the problems that can come back to bite you. (Sometimes quite literally in regards to cable infrastructure!)”
Quietly maintaining the backbone of our telecoms infrastructure
For decades, copper and coaxial cables have formed the backbone of telecom networks. They remain an essential part of service delivery in many areas to this day.
Protecting these existing networks must go on long after simply connecting the cables. It requires – for example – keeping moisture, gas, and contaminants out of underground jointing points and terminations.
FILOform’s heat-shrink systems and advanced sealing materials create a highly reliable barrier for underground copper and coax installations. This proven approach:
- Ensures long-term performance
- Minimises maintenance call-outs
- Extends the life of existing assets
Sealing for the future
As fibre rollouts accelerate, network owners face new sealing challenges. Fibre infrastructure often relies on duct-in-duct or cable-in-duct configurations, where even small ingress points can lead to major service disruptions.
FILOform’s duct sealing technology delivers gas-tight and watertight protection tailored to modern fibre networks. These seals are designed for fast, tool-free installation, reducing build times and costs without compromising performance.
A recent fibre deployment case study illustrates the impact:
In a large-scale fibre rollout, FILOform’s bespoke duct seals were installed across multiple network entry points. The result:
- Rapid, clean installation
- A permanent barrier against water, gas, and other ingress
- Long-term reliability for thousands of new connections
Total sealing solutions
FILOform’s telecoms portfolio spans both mechanical sealing systems and chemical sealing solutions. This 360° offering gives customers complete flexibility depending on their project requirements.
- Mechanical seals – Provide fast, clean installation with modular adaptability – with unparalleled ease of installation and inspection
- Chemical seals – Deliver highly conformable, permanent protection, ideal for irregular shapes or multiple cable configurations
For customers who want complete peace of mind, FILOform also offers a full start-to-seal service. This turnkey approach covers everything from initial site assessment and product specification to material supply and installation via approved partners.
It means network owners can rely on a single, trusted provider to get every seal right, first time.
“We’re not just selling boxes of sealant here at FILOform,” Ian explains. “We’re solving sealing challenges from start to finish, so our customers can focus on running their networks, not fixing preventable problems.”
The hidden threat of rodent ingress
Not all threats to telecom infrastructure are environmental. Rodents, drawn to the warmth and shelter of underground ducts, can cause catastrophic damage if given access.
For example, in August 2017, a rodent chewed clean through a major communications cable in South London, plunging thousands of TalkTalk customers into a 13-hour outage.
“It sounds almost comical until you think about the impact,” notes Ian. “One small point of ingress, one rodent, and suddenly an entire area is offline. That’s why sealing is so mission-critical.”
FILOform’s sealing systems are designed to close off every potential entry point, preventing rodents from accessing (and subsequently destroying) valuable network infrastructure.
The benefits for telecom operators
Whether protecting a legacy copper network or building next-generation fibre infrastructure, FILOform’s sealing solutions deliver measurable value:
- Improved network reliability – Ingress protection reduces outages and protects service continuity
- Lower maintenance costs – Robust sealing means fewer repairs and call-outs
- Installer efficiency – Easy-to-install designs save time on site and reduce labour costs
- Futureproof performance – Gas- and water-tight barriers extend the life of critical assets
“When we say we can help you protect 99% of any cable configuration in any environment, we mean it,” says Ian. “Our customers are getting full peace of mind.”
Partnering with the telecoms industry
FILOform works closely with telecom operators, contractors, and network designers to match sealing solutions to specific project needs. From rural last-mile connections to urban fibre hubs, their solutions are engineered to perform in diverse environments.
All backed by decades of experience in underground cable protection.
In an industry where uptime is everything, FILOform helps keep the lines open – today and for the future.