Impact

Invested Engineer

Published on 02 January 2025

Since February 2022, SPIE Belgium has been improving fibre-optic signals between major European cities.

Yunus Yaras, automation engineer, and Olivier Beaucarne, site manager at SPIE Belgium, take us behind the scenes of the project.

How do you connect cities to one another?

 

With optical fibres! Across Europe, a network of fibre-optic cables connects the main communication hubs. To ensure and preserve high quality communications, amplifiers are positioned throughout the network. These amplifiers are, in essence, IT rack containers that contain electronic equipment.

These containers operate all year round, in all weather conditions and environments. The whole project has come together to create a true “ONE SPIE” story, with contributions from a diverse range of business units and departments. The containers need to be supplied with a guaranteed power source.

Additionally, they are all equipped with cooling systems that keep them at a constant temperature. Gas fire extinguishing systems, CCTV, leak detection systems, and communications equipment are installed by SPIE as well. Should a problem arise, the container automatically communicates with the control centre for technicians to take action.

Olivier Beaucarne, Site Manager at our Mouscron industrial site, SPIE Belgium

« ONE SPIE » – DEVELOPING A SHARED EXPERIENCE

 

« We were able to draw upon the experience we had gained in data centres when constructing these containers. Building several of them has enabled us to adapt our working procedures and methods to offer a solution tailored to the deployment of these structures. We work with the same teams as much as possible to guarantee high quality and increased attention to safety. »

 

 

“Did you know?”
  • The containers were installed in northern France and the southern United Kingdom in 2023.
  • SPIE Belgium plans to install several additional containers in Germany and Belgium.
  • Measuring 13 metres in length and 4 metres in width and height, the containers operate autonomously 365 days a year.