DSTELECOM implements LOCKEN’s pioneering access control solution to ensure fibre network security

dstelecom has developed an innovative solution for controlling access to fibre optic distribution cabinets, with the aim of increasing network security and reinforcing the quality of service provided to its customers. The project will be implemented in phases, to more than 1,750 cabinets in over 100 municipalities, from the north to the south of the country.  The project is already in rollout phase and is expected to be completed by July 2022. 

dstelecom is the first telecommunications company to implement an access control system at this level of network distribution, thus positioning itself as a pioneer in the telecommunications market, which usually applies these control systems in more centralised infrastructures.

The LOCKEN solution, developed exclusively for dstelecom, will guarantee increased resilience and reliability against potential damage or vandalism and will ensure there is no unauthorised access to the fibre distribution cabinets. Additionally, it will contribute to reducing the company’s environmental impact by decreasing the number of trips to the lockers for network maintenance. The system will replace current mechanical locks with a mechatronic locking solution, which, combined with a smart key, Bluetooth technology and a mobile application, will allow each user to be authenticated, managing access permissions and guaranteeing, or restricting, access whenever necessary.

 “The main challenge of this project was to design a system that, together with the right processes, would allow for remote control of who has access to each cabinet, when and why”, says Sérgio Fernandes, CTO of dstelecom.

To date, throughout its infrastructure, dstelecom has more than 1,750 distribution cabinets, where it divides the optical signal, creating from there, all the network capillarity in order to reach end users. Given their importance within the network topology, they are strategic and critical points for the stability of the services provided. Although these cabinets have hundreds of optical connections, they are currently devoid of any energy supply, making it difficult to install control systems.

According to the same source, the solution developed in partnership with the multinational, technology company LOCKEN, part of ISEO, responds to these challenges. “The fact that we are able to register in real time all accesses to the cabinets will allow us to correlate this data with other information on the network, such as the registration of tasks, failures and service degradations”, he adds.

According to Carlos Fernández, Architecture Manager at LOCKEN, dstelecom is at the forefront of innovation. “Many important companies are in the digitisation process that have not yet reached where dstelecom has already reached with this project”.

Innovation is one of the main pillars of dstelecom’s DNA. “Our teams are challenged daily to think outside of the box and discuss important issues for the evolution of the business. This project is the result of this, with strategic thinking between colleagues sparking this change”, concludes the company’s CTO.

dstelecom is a wholesale telecommunications operator responsible for the construction and management of the first and largest multi-operator FTTH fibre optic network in Europe, available to all telecommunications operators.