Since 2014, Sibelga is deploying its own optical fiber network in Brussels. An essential strategic decision to strengthen the reliability and the security of its electricity and gas networks.
To date, nearly 280 km of optical fiber cables have already been deployed throughout the Brussels Capital Region. More than 120 nodes linked to the main primary sites are already connected to Sibelga’s dispatching center. At the beginning of 2024, the entire primary network of Sibelga will be connected to optical fiber.
And that's not all! Work is progressing rapidly and by 2026, the entire Sibelga secondary network (including Sibelga's major network cabins) should be connected via fiber.
Nearly 280 km of optical fiber have already been deployed by Sibelga in Brussels.
Real-time monitoring
Imagine a wire so thin that it is almost invisible to the naked eye, but capable of carrying incredible amounts of information at lightning speed. This is exactly what optical fiber does!
Optical fiber is revolutionizing the way Sibelga manages and controls its electricity and gas networks. It offers undeniable advantages in terms of communications capacity and security.
This deployment allows Sibelga to ensure real-time remote control of its networks and rapid intervention in the event of an incident such as a power outage or an overload in a substation.
A robust network
Sibelga's optical fiber network is based on a solid backbone which ensures uninterrupted connectivity with Sibelga's dispatching.
Indeed, in the event of a blackout of traditional telecom networks (4G, 5G, ADSL, cable, etc.), optical fiber communication would not be affected. On the other hand, in the event of a fiber cable break, the communication would automatically be diverted via another connection.
Even in the event of a power outage
In the event of a power outage or a total black-out, connection continuity is also ensured.
Thanks to a network of backup batteries, Sibelga is able to power the nodes of its fiber network for the duration of a power outage. “This gives us the time needed to repair or rebuild the electrical network and restore normal power,” explains Christophe Asta, head of the Telecontrol and Telecom team at Sibelga.
Optical fiber therefore offers undeniable advantages for ensuring the transmission of critical information in all circumstances.
Sharing resources
By deploying optical fiber, Sibelga is not only enhancing the reliability and security of its networks, but also contributing to the technological development of the region.
Since 5 December 2023, Sibelga's optical fiber infrastructure is opened to public and private third parties through the Fibru network, an initiative designed to facilitate the deployment of optical fiber in our beautiful city.
Sibelga, an active player in the digital transition
These investments demonstrate Sibelga's ongoing commitment to guaranteeing a stable and secure energy supply for the people of Brussels. By reinforcing its infrastructure with optical fiber, Sibelga is ready to meet the technological challenges of tomorrow.
