Fiber Inn chooses quality
Ferdinand Dijkstra, owner of Fiber Inn: “I always get really excited when a contractor chooses Attema products.”
With a technically strong team, years of experience and a high quality standard, Fiber Inn delivers complete solutions for the installation, repair and measurement of fiber optic infrastructures. “From local FTTH connections to complex backbone and data center projects: we ensure that fiber optic networks operate quickly, accurately and sustainably, and that everyone is always connected with the best internet connection,” says owner Ferdinand Dijkstra. He prefers to work with Attema’s Connectivity products for these projects.
Ferdinand started his career as a fiber optic technician employed by a company, but in January 2012 he decided to continue as a self-employed entrepreneur. “I wanted to grow further in fiber optic technology, but there was no room for that as an employee,” he explains. “For years I only worked on home connections and saw the color coding and counts in the exchanges. I also wanted to master that technology, but the only way to do so was to continue as an independent entrepreneur. At first, my parents were against it, because being self-employed carries risks. So initially I made that decision in secret,” he laughs. “I’ve never regretted it, and my parents are now very proud of me.”
Always aiming for top quality
“I immediately started working in Eurofiber’s fine-meshed fiber network,” Ferdinand says. “To test the quality and distance of the fiber infrastructure, I performed long-distance measurements—for example, to guarantee proper signal transmission, flawless delivery, and satisfied end customers. I also carried out complex fiber splicing (fusion splicing).”
To build enough security as a self-employed professional, it’s important to stand out, he believes. “That’s why neat work and one hundred percent quality were top priorities from day one. A challenge, because fiber optics are very delicate. Poor installation, damaged cables, or dirt on connectors can lead to signal loss and disruptions. Fiber is also not resistant to water. Installation, repair, and measurement require great precision, and I took that very seriously. Especially in the beginning, I was always the last to finish—but I was also the technician delivering the highest quality. I always aimed for a perfect ten.” Over the years, he became increasingly skilled in the technology. “That’s when the moment came to experiment and innovate. That’s also where the name Fiber Innovations came from, which was later shortened to Fiber Inn—mainly because people found ‘innovations’ difficult to spell, causing emails not to arrive. Plus, I could display Fiber Inn more prominently on my van.”
Training new technicians
Ferdinand quickly built a strong reputation in the industry. “Projects kept coming in, and I didn’t want to keep saying ‘no.’ So from 2016 onwards, I started training new fiber optic technicians. This was partly with future growth in mind, but mainly to improve the quality of technicians in the field. I apply a very specific learning approach, ensuring that trainees start with a high basic quality level. Where most companies take three years to achieve this, I reach that level within just two months. And that’s highly desirable in a time when fiber optics are becoming increasingly dominant.” One technician quickly became three, and today Fiber Inn employs fourteen specialized fiber optic technicians. In 2022, the sole proprietorship was converted into a private limited company.
Quality and speed
“I’m too lazy to do things the hard way,” Ferdinand summarizes with a smile. “My motto is quality and speed. Besides working cleanly and neatly, it’s crucial to meet clients’ delivery deadlines. Fiber infrastructures must be installed right the first time. Smart innovations can help increase the amount of work completed within a given timeframe.”
Ferdinand finds these innovations at Attema. “In my experience, Attema offers some of the best products for fiber installation. For example, the Hybrid Fiber Management Plates and the Midi Fiber Dome repair splice closures are very logically designed. Anyone can work with them.”
Clear, simple, and structured
Attema products are specifically developed for Fiber to the Home applications—a technology where ultra-fast broadband connections via fiber optic cables are brought directly into homes or buildings. “In FTTH, the feed is brought to a cluster of around forty homes and then distributed to individual customer cables,” Ferdinand explains. “Attema products support this distribution and are designed in such a way that managing, splicing, and storing fibers is clear, simple, and well-organized—not only for the technician installing the network, but also for the technician handling maintenance or repairs later on.”
Developed with the market
“Most manufacturers offer a kit for fiber applications, full of separate components,” Ferdinand says. “Attema clearly does things differently. All components are aligned, simplified, and pre-assembled so the work can practically start immediately. All cables can be stripped, inserted, and secured right away. The connectivity solutions are clearly developed together with the market.” The same applies to further product development, in which Ferdinand is actively involved. “I’ve been in contact for many years with account manager Maikel Heinen, who regularly visits my projects to discuss the use of Attema products in the field and opportunities for optimization,” he says. “For example, this led to a product improvement where two guiding edges were removed from a thin fiber cassette for mini shrink sleeves. This allows us to work even faster without compromising neat fiber storage. We also frequently discuss future opportunities—such as in the business, repair, and maintenance markets, as well as other sectors within fiber technology. In that sense, we complement each other very well.”
Opportunities for the future
“When I think of Attema, I think of quality,” Ferdinand concludes. “The products are intelligently designed, easy to process, and less prone to faults. That’s why I always get really excited when a client chooses Attema products.” In the coming years, he aims to further deepen his expertise in fiber technology and explore opportunities at both execution and product levels. He also sees potential in the energy transition market, where he once again prefers to collaborate with Attema.