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Telecommunications Standards for Optical Fibre Cables and Smart Meter Communication: A Practical Guide



In a world increasingly reliant on the seamless exchange of information, the telecommunications sector stands at the forefront of modern innovation. Success in this space hinges not only on technical progress but also on rigorous adherence to standards. This article explores three cornerstone telecommunications standards: prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025, SIST EN 13757-3:2025, and SIST EN IEC 60794-2-20:2025. These standards underpin reliable connectivity, robust fibre networks, and smart metering—crucial as businesses roll out new technologies and scale operations. Adopting these standards is now a must for enterprises seeking higher productivity, enhanced security, and scalable digital infrastructure.


Overview / Introduction

Modern telecommunications systems are more than just wires and signals—they form the backbone of smart cities, always-connected enterprises, and efficient utilities. At the heart of this global network are rigorous standards that ensure interoperability, quality, and security. Whether managing sophisticated fibre optic networks or implementing meter data exchanges in utilities, standards like prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025, SIST EN 13757-3:2025, and SIST EN IEC 60794-2-20:2025 are indispensable.


What will you learn from this guide?

  • What each standard covers and its practical implications

  • How standards drive connectivity, reliability, and regulatory compliance

  • Best practices for adopting these standards

  • How implementing standards gives businesses an edge in productivity, security, and scaling


Detailed Standards Coverage

prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025 - Validating Optical Fibre Bending Stiffness

Optical fibre cables - Part 1-117: Generic specification - Basic optical cable test procedures - Mechanical tests methods - Bending stiffness, Method E17


The prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025 standard establishes procedures for assessing the bending stiffness of optical fibre cables—a critical mechanical property that determines a cable’s ability to resist deformation under stress. Bending stiffness influences installation performance, durability, and ensures that fibre optic networks remain operational despite frequent handling or flexing.

The core of this standard, Method E17, provides three test approaches: the three-point bend, cantilever bend, and buckling bend. Each method is meticulously described with sample preparation, recommended apparatus, procedures, acceptance criteria, and detailed reporting sections. This revision updates and clarifies reporting requirements for each submethod, providing a comprehensive framework for quality assurance in fibre cable production.


Who needs to comply: This standard is vital for cable manufacturers, fibre optic installers, network operators, and quality assurance laboratories tasked with ensuring the resilience and reliability of broadband and data transmission infrastructure.


Practical implications: Implementing this mechanical test ensures:

  • Cables can be installed in demanding environments without risk of damage

  • Reduced maintenance and downtime

  • Consistent network performance as enterprises scale or upgrade their infrastructure


Key highlights:

  • Detailed test methods for three types of bending stresses

  • Precise reporting and specification requirements for compliance

  • Alignment with the wider IEC 60794 series for global consistency

SIST EN 13757-3:2025 - Application Protocols for Meter Communications

Communication systems for meters - Part 3: Application protocols


The SIST EN 13757-3:2025 standard is a pivotal document for smart metering infrastructure. It defines application-level communication protocols for meters, sensors, and actuators, with a strong focus on the M-Bus (Meter-Bus) application protocol. This protocol enables diverse meters (water, gas, electricity, thermal energy) to exchange data seamlessly with remote systems for billing, monitoring, and analytics.


Beyond just meters, this standard extends to general IoT (Internet of Things) elements deployed in utility networks. The document meticulously outlines how meters encode and transmit their data, how two-way control and security are achieved, and how compatibility with previous protocol versions and alternative communication media (wired, wireless, relayed) is maintained.


Who needs to comply: Utilities, meter manufacturers, smart city solution providers, and systems integrators benefit most from adopting this standard. Regulatory bodies frequently mandate compliance in utilities to ensure data integrity and interoperability across different equipment and suppliers.


Practical implications:

  • Guarantees seamless integration of metering devices with utility management systems

  • Supports advanced features like remote firmware updates, clock synchronization, and alarm status reporting

  • Provides vendor-neutral interoperability for large-scale urban and industrial deployments


Key highlights:

  • Extensive coverage of M-Bus protocol for data exchange and control

  • Enhanced support for sensor/actuator and alarm device integration

  • New features for non-metric units, improved clock synchronization, image transfer, and advanced error handling

SIST EN IEC 60794-2-20:2025 - Multi-fibre Optical Cables for Indoor Use

Optical fibre cables - Part 2-20: Indoor cables - Family specification for multi-fibre optical cables (IEC 60794-2-20:2024)


SIST EN IEC 60794-2-20:2025 delivers a comprehensive specification for multi-fibre optical cables intended for indoor environments—a foundation for high-density data centers, campus networks, and modern smart buildings.


This family standard covers all principal aspects of multi-fibre indoor cables: construction, buffer types, fibre identification, mechanical properties, fire performance, and environmental testing. The 2025 revision notably updates mechanical and environmental test requirements, introduces specific cabled fibre attenuation benchmarks (crucial for transmission planning), and provides concrete cable design examples.


Compliance with this standard ensures that indoor communications infrastructure can keep up with evolving requirements, including MICE classification for robustness (per ISO/IEC 11801-1), and that solutions remain interoperable across various vendors and use cases.


Who needs to comply: Network planners, ICT infrastructure providers, data center operators, building automation integrators, and cable manufacturers all rely on this standard to ensure high-quality, scalable, and safe network deployments.


Practical implications:

  • Facilitates deployment of dense optical networks with minimal risk of cross-vendor incompatibility

  • Ensures mechanical and fire safety properties are consistent across installations

  • Supports future-proofing for IoT and high-bandwidth applications


Key highlights:

  • Updated requirements for mechanical/environmental testing, including attenuation

  • Detailed cable construction guidelines with real-world examples

  • Harmonization with related international standards and MICE specifications for stringent environments


Industry Impact & Compliance

Why Are These Standards Essential Now?


With the arrival of advanced telecom networks, IoT, smart metering, and digital infrastructure, standards compliance is no longer optional. It is the baseline that ensures:


  • Productivity gains: Robust, interoperable systems dramatically reduce integration headaches and downtime

  • Security: Standardized protocols limit vulnerabilities and allow for timely implementation of security best practices

  • Scalability: Future upgrades and new device additions happen seamlessly, avoiding expensive overhauls or compatibility crises

  • Regulatory alignment: Many regions require standards-based implementations for licensing, subsidies, or vendor selection


Failure to adopt up-to-date standards can result in:

  • Costly compatibility issues

  • Risk of regulatory penalties

  • Increased network downtime and maintenance

  • Security exposures in critical infrastructure


Implementation Guidance

Common Adoption Strategies


Adopting these standards doesn’t have to be overwhelming. A phased and structured approach yields the best results:


  1. Gap Analysis: Audit current systems against the standards’ requirements.

  2. Stakeholder Engagement: Involve engineering, IT, compliance, and operations teams early.

  3. Vendor Assessment: Ensure suppliers offer products and solutions fully certified to these standards.

  4. Training: Provide hands-on training for technical staff, including test procedures and security settings.

  5. Documentation: Maintain meticulous records of compliance, test reports, and implementation notes.

  6. Continuous Update: Monitor for revisions, errata, or updates—standards evolve to address new technologies and threats.


Best Practices

  • Work closely with accredited testing labs and certification bodies

  • Specify standards-based compliance in all procurement documents

  • Pilot new standards in controlled environments before widescale deployment

  • Leverage resources from standards organizations and professional associations for updates and training


Conclusion / Next Steps

Adopting recognized standards like prEN IEC 60794-1-117:2025, SIST EN 13757-3:2025, and SIST EN IEC 60794-2-20:2025 is not just a technical requirement—it’s a strategic investment in your organization’s resilience, agility, and competitiveness. As technologies evolve, so do the risks and opportunities. Businesses that prioritize standards-based implementations are best positioned to innovate, scale securely, and maximize return on their network investments.


Recommendations:

  • Start with a compliance review and roadmap

  • Partner with standards-aware vendors, consultants, and training providers

  • Stay informed on revisions—make standards adoption an ongoing business process

Ready to boost your enterprise’s telecommunications infrastructure? Explore the detailed specifications on iTeh Standards and begin building your future-ready, standards-compliant network today.


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