[Tagging] Optical telecomunication cable tagging

[Jean-Marc Liotier]

On 03/03/2014 22:13, François Lacombe wrote:
> I've found a dozen of markers in the country around my home, like this :
> http://www.infos-reseaux.com/photos/image/217-identification-telecom-trn
>
> It identifies terrestrial optical fibre cables going underground 
> between cities in France.
>
> How should it be mapped in OSM ?

Those cables are not visible and therefore should not be mapped.

Being in charge of GIS projects for the fiber network of a major 
telecommunication operator, my opinion is that Openstreetmap will never 
achieve any useful view of optical networks: those cables are everywhere 
but their path is usually not visible from public right of ways.

I contribute to the mapping of high-voltage lines, which are major 
landmarks. I support the mapping of cabinets, which are minor urban 
landmarks. I understand that some may be willing to map 
telecommunications chambers, whose metal opening is visible on the 
surface. But spare yourself the pain of mapping underground cables - I 
guarantee it is a hopeless and useless endeavour.