Commissioning Fibre Links with OTDR and Optical Loss Testing Using VIAVI Solutions

Before a network goes live, proof of performance is mandatory. This case study details how a contractor used OTDR and Optical Loss Testing to certify a multi-tenant business park network, delivering documented compliance for every fibre link.

Background

A construction contractor was completing fibre installations for a new business park, delivering multi-tenant optical connectivity to carrier and enterprise customers. Before the network could go live, every fibre route needed to be tested to confirm continuity, splice quality, and optical power budget compliance.

The client required documented proof that each link met design targets for insertion loss and reflectance, and that no faults or bends existed along the route.

The Challenge

The fibre network included a mix of underground ducts and in-building risers, with distances ranging from 200 m to 5 km. Installation crews used multiple subcontractors, increasing the risk of variations in splice quality or connector cleanliness.

The project required a method to:

• Verify end-to-end optical loss against specifications.
• Detect and locate splices, connectors, or breaks along the route.
• Provide permanent, traceable documentation for hand-over.
• Enable quick troubleshooting if a link failed acceptance criteria.

The Solution: OTDR and Optical Loss Testing with VIAVI

The commissioning team selected VIAVI’s T-BERD/MTS-4000 platform equipped with an OTDR module and optical power meter.

The workflow involved:

1. Visual Inspection: Inspection and cleaning of every connector using the VIAVI P5000i Fibre Microscope and US Conec One-Click® Cleaner to ensure contamination-free interfaces.
2. Optical Loss Testing (OLTS): Measuring insertion loss to verify that total attenuation stayed within the link budget.
3. OTDR Testing: Testing at both 1310 nm and 1550 nm to capture reflectance values and identify any high-loss splices or excessive reflections.
4. Trace Analysis: Documentation through VIAVI StrataSync®, giving the customer centralised access to all results and certifications.

Each link’s OTDR trace provided a clear picture of splice locations and connector quality, while end-to-end loss results verified the installation met design parameters.

[Image of network traffic analysis dashboard]

The Results

Out of more than 120 fibre pairs tested, only two required remediation due to elevated splice loss, which was quickly corrected and re-verified.

• Average end-to-end insertion loss measured 1.8 dB at 1310 nm, well within specification.
• All reflectance values exceeded –45 dB.
• Comprehensive reports were automatically generated and stored in StrataSync.

This gave the client verifiable proof of compliance for every fibre link.

Conclusion

By combining VIAVI OTDR and OLTS testing with proper inspection and documentation tools, the contractor delivered a fully validated fibre infrastructure ready for carrier activation.

This approach ensured transparency, quality assurance, and long-term maintainability—critical advantages when deploying high-bandwidth networks in multi-tenant environments.