3 Types of Manholes and Their Uses in Telecom Networks
Modern cities need many underground systems to work properly. Under the streets, there are fiber optic cables, power lines, water pipes, and communication lines. They all work together to provide important services. These systems must be checked and updated often as needs grow. Because of this, easy access is very important for telecom and infrastructure companies. That is why a manhole is important in managing these systems. In the dark fiber industry, a manhole is also very useful. It allows technicians to reach underground fiber cables for setup, maintenance, and repairs. For dark fiber providers that own or rent unused fiber, good access points help them build networks faster and keep the connection stable over long distances. What is meant by manhole? A manhole is an opening in the ground that lets workers reach underground utility systems. The structure has a cover on the surface and a vertical shaft that goes down to the pipes or cables below. Most access points use a metal or concrete cover that is level with the road surface. The main parts of a manhole are the cover, the frame, and the vertical chamber. Inside, there are steps or ladder rungs fixed to the walls. At the bottom, workers can reach the infrastructure that needs work. Because of that, these access points come in different sizes depending on their use and must be big enough for workers to enter while carrying tools. What is the difference between a sewer and a manhole? The difference between a sewer and a manhole is their function. A sewer carries dirty water, while the other one gives access to underground systems. A sewer is a pipe that moves wastewater from buildings to treatment plants. These access points can connect to sewers, telecom cables, power lines, and water pipes. Not all manholes connect to sewers. Fiber optic and telecom networks use many of these access points. In telecom projects, technicians place these access points at regular distances along cable routes so they can pull cables and make connections. 3 Key types of manholes These access points are grouped into three categories based on how deep they are below the ground surface. According to Blair Supply Corp, manholes are categorized as Type 1, 2, and 3 based on their depth and purpose: Building better underground networks Understanding manholes and their types is important for people who work in telecommunications. In practice, these access points are a key part of networks that connect cities and support modern communication. As a result, engineers use each type for different depth and installation needs. With this in mind, companies building fiber networks in Southeast Asia need to choose the right infrastructure partner. ARNet operates more than 10,000 km of dark fiber in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. In addition, the company owns and maintains its full network, including access points and underground routes. It also provides long-haul, metro, and last-mile fiber services for hyperscalers and major telecom companies in the region. Because of this integrated approach, working with ARNet means working with a single dark fiber provider in Southeast Asia that controls its licenses and infrastructure. The company builds and runs its own network with its own teams and equipment. This setup helps speed up deployment and improve network reliability. To ensure performance, ARNet promises more than 99.99% uptime and uses real-time monitoring to detect issues early. Overall, for organizations that need scalable fiber networks with well-managed underground systems, ARNet can support long-term growth. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
IoT Connectivity Guide: 4 Types Every Business Should Understand
The world is getting more connected every day. These connected devices help people work more easily and live better. IoT connectivity connects devices to the internet and to each other. Connected devices can share information and work on their own. People and companies use these devices every day. The State of IoT 2024 report says there were about 18.8 billion IoT devices connected around the world by the end of 2024. This number keeps going up as more industries use smart devices. Knowing the types of IoT connections helps businesses choose what works best for them. What is IoT connectivity? IoT connectivity is a way to connect smart devices to a network and the internet. With this connection, devices can send and receive data by themselves. Because of this, they do not need people to control them all the time. Usually, the connection uses Wi-Fi, mobile networks, or fiber optic cables. This is why IoT connectivity is important for smart systems. In a smart factory, machines and sensors are connected to a control system. Then, they share real-time data about work progress, product quality, and machine condition. This helps companies watch their operations and make quicker decisions. For IoT to work well, a strong and reliable network is needed. Here, fiber optic networks give fast and stable connections. As more devices are added, fiber networks become important to send large amounts of data to data centers. The 4 types of IoT The IoT market has different categories based on how and where the technology is used. Each type serves specific industries and purposes. Understanding IoT connectivity is important for all these types because it decides how well devices and systems work together. Here are the four main types: Consumer IoT (CIoT) People at home or in their daily life are mostly using this IoT type using smart devices. These devices connect to the internet. Examples include smart speakers, fitness trackers, smart thermostats, and security cameras. Thus, Transforma insights shows that this type makes up about 60% of all IoT devices. Commercial IoT Many businesses are using this IoT. For example, stores use connected systems to track products. In addition, hotels use smart systems to control room temperature and lighting. At the same time, restaurants use sensors to monitor food storage. As a result, these technologies help businesses work more efficiently and reduce costs. Industrial IoT (IIoT) Many factories and warehouses are using this IoT type. In many cases, machines are connected to watch performance and find problems early. As a result, it helps reduce breakdowns and improve product quality. Because of these benefits, the update from IoT analytics shows that the use of this technology is growing fast. Infrastructure IoT Infrastructure IoT uses simple smart devices to help cities run better. In everyday operations, these devices connect to the internet and share data. For example, power systems use them to check electricity and find problems early. At the same time, water systems use sensors to detect leaks and reduce water waste. Meanwhile, traffic systems rely on smart lights and sensors to keep traffic moving smoothly. Because of this, all of these systems need a stable internet connection. As a result, cities work better and life becomes easier for people. Moving forward with smart connectivity IoT connectivity is growing very fast as more devices connect every day. As a result, businesses need strong and dependable networks. In practice, IoT systems rely on connections that are both fast and stable. In this context, dark fiber plays a key role by delivering high-speed and reliable connectivity for large-scale IoT networks. To support this demand, ARNet provides dark fiber infrastructure across Southeast Asia. Today, we operate more than 10,000 kilometers of fiber across Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Through this footprint, our network connects over 60 data centers and supports major technology companies and hyperscalers. At the same time, owning and managing our own network enables faster deployment and consistent service quality. With continuous monitoring, we deliver over 99.99% uptime. This makes it easier for your business to adopt, scale, and future-proof IoT deployments. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Understanding Network Connectivity in Dark Fiber Infrastructure
Network connectivity is how computers and devices connect to share information. For example, a global telecom organization reports that 68% of people around the world (5.5 billion people) use the internet in 2024. This shows how important good connections are for businesses and people today. Companies need fast and reliable ways to connect their systems. That’s where dark fiber networks come in. Dark fiber networks give businesses their own private fiber cables. This helps them control their connection speed and quality. Therefore, learning about network connectivity helps businesses pick the right setup for their needs. What is the meaning of network connectivity? Network connectivity means devices can connect and talk to each other through a network. This lets information move from one place to another. You use network connectivity when you browse websites, send emails, make video calls, or access files stored online. Good network connectivity means your data moves fast and arrives safely. How well your network works depends on a few things. These include how much data can travel at once, how fast it travels, and how reliable your cables and equipment are. For this reason, businesses need steady connections to keep their work running smoothly. They use these connections every day for customer service, storing data, and running their operations. What are the different types of network connectivity? Network connectivity comes in two main types. These are physical connections and wireless connections. Each type serves different needs depending on speed, stability, and use case. Below is the explanation of each type. Physical connections Physical connections use actual cables to link devices together. These cables can be made of copper wire or special glass fibers. Specifically, fiber optic cables send information as light signals through thin glass threads. As a result, these cables can carry lots of data very quickly over long distances. In this case, dark fiber means unused fiber cables that a company can rent or buy for their own private use. Wireless connections Wireless connections send data through the air without any cables. Instead, they use invisible signals similar to radio waves. For example, common types are Wi-Fi in your office, cell phone networks, and satellite signals. In fact, according to the GSMA State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2024 report, 4.6 billion people use mobile internet on their phones. Wireless is convenient because you can move around freely. However, cable connections usually work faster and more reliably. What can cause network connectivity issues? Unfortunately, several problems can stop your network from working properly. These include DNS server downtime, incorrect DNS configurations, and network security settings blocking DNS traffic. Below is the explanation of each problem. DNS server downtime DNS servers work like phone books for the internet. They change website names into number codes that computers understand. DNS server downtime happens when these servers stop working. For instance, this can happen during repairs, attacks from hackers, or technical breakdowns. In 2025, several major DNS outages affected popular services, causing many websites to stop working. As a result, companies using only one DNS provider face bigger problems during these failures. Incorrect DNS configurations Wrong DNS settings stop devices from finding websites and online services. These mistakes happen when someone enters the wrong server addresses or sets up the system incorrectly. Small errors in these settings can make it hard or impossible for users to reach the websites they need. Network security settings blocking DNS traffic Security systems protect networks from threats and attacks. However, sometimes these security tools block good traffic by mistake. For example, strict security rules or old protection settings can stop DNS requests from going through. As a result, this creates problems for people trying to access websites and online tools. Securing your network infrastructure Strong network connectivity is necessary for business success today. Companies must pick systems that work reliably and can grow with their needs. Dark fiber gives businesses full control over how their network performs. These unused fiber optic cables can run on land, underwater, or above ground, and each type needs different protection based on whether it connects nearby areas or covers long distances. In fact, the global dark fiber network market reached USD 6.25 billion in 2024. This shows that more and more companies want their own private fiber cables. For this reason, ARNet provides dark fiber solutions for companies that need better network connectivity. The company gives businesses their own private fiber cables that work faster and more reliably. As a result, ARNet’s services help companies avoid the connection problems that happen with shared networks. Businesses should pick ARNet because the company offers reliable systems that grow as your company grows. ARNet’s private fiber networks remove speed limits and provide better security than regular shared services. This means your company can set up the network exactly how you need it. You can keep strong performance for all your important business activities. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Understanding Submarine Cable Map and Dark Fiber Infrastructure for Global Connectivity
The internet around the world runs through physical cables placed under the ocean. These submarine cables carry more than 95% of global data between countries. According to Grand View Research, the submarine cable market reached USD 31.70 billion in 2024. This market keeps growing because more people need fast and stable internet. A submarine cable map shows where these cables connect countries and continents. Dark fiber works together with submarine cables to support strong network systems. Dark fiber means unused fiber optic cables that companies can rent or own for their own networks. Many businesses use a submarine cable map to see where cables land and plan their connections. Because of this, understanding how submarine cables and dark fiber work together helps companies choose the right internet setup. How deep are submarine cables buried? Submarine cables are buried at different depths based on where they are located. A submarine cable map typically shows the routes of these cables across the ocean floor. In shallow waters near the coast, crews bury cables 1 meter deep into the ocean floor. This protects them from ship anchors and fishing nets. According to KIS-ORCA, special underwater plows dig narrow trenches to bury the cables. However, deep ocean areas do not need cable burial. Instead, cables in deep water just sit on the ocean floor. This is because fewer ships and fishing boats go to those deep areas. Looking at any submarine cable map, you can see that cables crossing deep ocean trenches sit at depths over 8,000 feet below sea level. Meanwhile, companies use water jets and underwater robots to bury cables in areas up to 2,000 meters deep. What happens when undersea internet cables are cut? Damaged submarine cables quickly stop internet services. Countries lose their internet connection until workers fix the cables. A submarine cable map helps network operators see which cables are affected and plan alternate routes during outages. For example, Internet Society reported that in March 2024, four cables were damaged off the coast of West Africa. This affected many countries at the same time. Fixing broken cables needs special ships and trained workers. First, workers pull the broken cable from the ocean floor onto the repair ship. Then, they connect new cable pieces to fix the break. Most simple repairs take 5 to 15 days. However, harder repairs in dangerous areas can take many months. For instance, Recorded Future found that cable breaks in the Red Sea in February 2024 took almost five months to fix. This was because of permit delays and safety concerns in that region. Why do we need undersea cables with satellites available? There are many reasons why submarine cables are still very important today: Satellites are still useful in places where cables cannot reach. Remote islands and far areas often use satellites because it is hard to install cables there. But according to TeleGeography, satellites carry less than 0.37% of the world’s data. Most busy coastal areas use submarine cables instead. MarketsandMarkets also says the submarine cable market reached USD 18.2 billion in 2024. It is expected to grow to USD 29.7 billion by 2029. Big companies like Google and Meta continue to build new submarine cables. Today, there are 559 active submarine cable systems around the world. Building reliable network infrastructure Submarine cables are the main foundation of global internet connectivity. Businesses need reliable fiber infrastructure to send and receive their data. Dark fiber solutions give dedicated bandwidth without sharing with other users. This means companies can grow their network speed as they need more data capacity. Companies can check the submarine cable map to see how their location connects to global networks. ARNet provides dark fiber solutions that connect businesses to important network infrastructure. Our dark fiber services let companies control their own network capacity and speed. ARNet’s infrastructure links to major submarine cable landing stations and data centers across the region. We help businesses understand the submarine cable map and connect to the right landing points for their needs. If your business needs connections between countries in Southeast Asia using sea cables, ARNet can help. We help businesses understand the submarine cable map and connect to the right landing points for their needs. Choose ARNet because we offer dedicated fiber solutions with guaranteed bandwidth and low delay times. Our network infrastructure helps businesses that need secure and reliable internet for their work. ARNet’s dark fiber services remove the speed limits that shared networks create. This gives your company the performance needed for applications that use lots of data. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet