Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe Limited, the leading supplier of high performance telecommunications solutions, has successfully completed an optical fibre splicing project on two of the highest overhead electric routes in the UK - across the Corrieyack Pass, at over 760 metres above sea level in the Scottish Highlands. Fujitsu's work formed part of a £1.5m 132kV overhead refurbishment scheme being undertaken by contractor ESB International, and involved the splicing and testing of 24 OPGW (Optical fibre composite overhead Ground Wire) telecommunication cables.

Fujitsu's involvement in the scheme underlines the breadth of the company's optical fibre expertise, and its capability as a provider of technological solutions as well as field engineering services. The company's fibre splicing in the Corrieyack Pass was for the remaining section of a 17-mile Scottish Hydro Electric route, through the pass between Fort Augustus and Glen Truim. Running across the Monadhliath Mountains, the Corrieyack Pass is one of the original - and highest - of General Wade's military roads built throughout Scotland during the 18th century.

The OPGW's optical fibre acts as an insulator, protecting the telecommunications links from power transmission line and lightning induction, external noise and cross-talk. To provide protection from the elements, Fujitsu encased the spliced joints within 'COYOTE' mechanical closures. Throughout the project, Fujitsu's office in Broxburn, near Edinburgh, maintained close contact and liaison with both ESB International and Scottish Hydro Electric, ensuring that the telecommunications element of the refurbishment scheme was completed on target. This represented an important contribution to its overall success, as Mike Stewart of Fujitsu commented: "Fujitsu fully recognises the importance of transmitting high quality telecommunications data in this area and the obvious problems of working in such an environment. The completion of this project will enable people living in the area to take full advantage of the latest telecommunications technology".

Currently employing 1,230 staff around Europe, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe is a strategic division of the Telecommunications Group, Fujitsu Limited, Japan - one of the world's largest communications equipment suppliers. Fujitsu's customer base includes wide-ranging contracts across the breadth of modern telecommunications networks. Focused on providing strategic end to end solutions, Fujitsu offers a complete turnkey service - from project planning, community liaison, cable laying and civil engineering, to installation, implementation and ongoing maintenance.

Headquartered in Birmingham, Fujitsu Telecommunications Europe has extensive research and development facilities and also operates as part of Fujitsu's global manufacturing resource. The company has a long-established track record for product and service innovation, with extensive expertise in the field of leading edge optical transmission and telecommunications switching technology. This ranges from the development of the most advanced Photonic Network Solutions; to Passive Optical Networks; Fibre Access Systems; Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) networks; Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) solutions; Radio Access Systems and IP Applications; in addition to its TMN-compliant Network Management Systems.

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