SMAP deploys world's deepest fibre branching unit
The SMAP submarine cable system in Australia has deployed what it claims is the world's deepest next-generation branching unit, with installation completed at the Adelaide branch site at depths exceeding 5,000 metres. The X-BU, is designed to combine electrical and optical switching functions within a single wet body, supporting high fibre-count systems such as SMAP's 16 fibre pairs. By integrating both switching capabilities in one structure, the design is intended to simplify deployment, operation and mai