Long-distance single-mode fibre connectivity
MikroTik S-55DLC80D in Dubai, UAE
The S-55DLC80D is a 1.25G SFP transceiver for long-reach single-mode fibre links using 1550 nm optics and dual LC UPC connectors. It is intended for buyers who need to bridge substantial distance without moving to a higher-speed optical format than the connected equipment requires.
Prepare an accurate request
Share the endpoint models, fibre distance, connector arrangement, quantity and expected installation environment.
Gigabit optical format
Subject to optical budget
Single-mode wavelength
Duplex fibre connection
Direct answer for buyers
MikroTik S-55DLC80D is a long-range optical module that converts a compatible 1G SFP interface into a duplex single-mode fibre connection designed for distances up to 80 km. It is mainly considered for inter-building, metropolitan, utility, surveillance-backhaul and remote-site links where copper is unsuitable and shorter-reach optics do not provide enough margin. Network teams, integrators and procurement departments should consider it only after confirming host-port support, fibre continuity, connector type, path attenuation and the required receive-power window. A buyer should also confirm whether matching modules are required at both ends, whether patch cords and cleaning tools are included in the project scope, and whether the environmental conditions suit the selected hardware.
What the module does
The S-55DLC80D provides an optical transmit-and-receive interface for Ethernet equipment with a compatible SFP or SFP+ cage. It operates at a 1.25G signalling rate, commonly used for Gigabit Ethernet optical links, and sends traffic over two strands of single-mode fibre. One strand carries transmitted light and the other carries received light. This duplex arrangement differs from BiDi modules, which use one strand and paired wavelengths.
Its 1550 nm wavelength and long-distance optical design make it suitable for fibre paths that exceed common 10 km or 20 km module ranges. The module itself does not route, switch, encrypt or manage traffic; those functions remain with the host router, switch or media platform. Its role is physical-layer transport, so the quality of the overall result depends on both endpoint hardware and the fibre infrastructure between them.
Who should consider it
This model may suit internet service providers, industrial operators, logistics facilities, large campuses, utilities, municipalities, security integrators and enterprises connecting sites over an existing single-mode fibre route. It can also be relevant to organisations extending a Gigabit service to a remote cabinet, tower, warehouse, branch or control location where electrical isolation and long reach are important.
It is not automatically the right choice for every long fibre run. A buyer needing 10G capacity should evaluate an SFP+ solution instead. A short link may require lower-power optics or attenuation control. A single-strand route needs a matched BiDi pair rather than a duplex module. Where the host equipment supports only specific coded optics, the compatibility policy should be checked before purchase.
Business challenges this optical module can address
Distance beyond copper limits
Copper Ethernet is not intended for multi-kilometre building-to-building links. A suitable single-mode fibre system provides the physical reach required while avoiding electrical potential differences between sites.
Connecting remote operational sites
Remote substations, warehouses, surveillance points, towers and industrial locations may need dependable Gigabit transport back to a central network without introducing another active repeater along the route.
Using installed single-mode fibre
Where a tested duplex single-mode path already exists, the module can help activate it when the link budget, wavelength plan and endpoint equipment are suitable.
Maintaining a 1G design
Some networks do not require 10G throughput but still need extended optical reach. A 1.25G SFP may provide a more appropriate fit than changing the entire interface architecture.
Core capability band
Designed for links rated up to 80 km when the complete optical budget remains within specification.
Intended for single-mode fibre rather than short-reach multimode cabling.
Uses separate transmit and receive strands through dual LC UPC interfaces.
Official specifications list a tested ambient range from -40°C to +70°C, while the surrounding host device must also suit the environment.
Product-fit decision matrix
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Long-distance 1G link | The intended service is Gigabit Ethernet over a long single-mode route. | Total attenuation, receiver limits and engineering margin. |
| Two-strand fibre | A duplex fibre pair is available end to end. | Correct strand mapping, LC UPC patching and cleanliness. |
| MikroTik host device | The router or switch has a supported SFP or SFP+ cage that can operate the 1G module. | Exact device model, RouterOS version and interface compatibility. |
| Third-party host | The other vendor allows compatible 1G SFP modules. | Vendor coding policy and support position. |
| Outdoor or industrial cabinet | The transceiver temperature rating and enclosure design meet the site conditions. | Host temperature limits, airflow, power stability and cabinet heat. |
Verified technical information
| Brand | MikroTik |
|---|---|
| Product code | S-55DLC80D |
| Product type | SFP optical transceiver |
| Data rate | 1.25G |
| Rated distance | Up to 80 km, subject to fibre condition and optical budget |
| Fibre mode | Single mode |
| Wavelength | 1550 nm |
| Connector | Dual LC UPC |
| Format | SFP |
| Tested ambient temperature | -40°C to +70°C |
| MTBF guidance | Approximately 100,000 hours at 25°C |
| Host compatibility | Compatible host SFP/SFP+ cage required; exact device support should be checked |
| Included components | Confirm current package contents with FourTeck |
| Warranty guidance | Confirm applicable UAE supply and vendor terms at quotation stage |
| Availability | Contact FourTeck for current UAE options, quantity and lead time |
Compatibility and optical-budget notice
An 80 km rating does not mean every 80 km route will operate correctly without engineering checks. The link budget must account for fibre attenuation at 1550 nm, connector losses, fusion or mechanical splices, patch panels, splitters if any, ageing allowance and a practical safety margin. Both endpoints must remain inside their permitted transmit and receive power windows. Very short paths can also be problematic with high-power long-reach optics, so attenuation may be needed in some designs. A qualified installer should test the route with appropriate optical equipment rather than relying only on geographical distance.
The physical connector must also be correct. This module uses dual LC UPC. APC connectors, which commonly have a green body and an angled polish, must not be directly mated to UPC optics. The end-to-end route should preserve the correct connector polish and duplex strand polarity. FourTeck can help review the stated requirement, but final fibre acceptance should be based on site measurements and the installation engineer’s design.
A practical purchase and deployment journey
Define both endpoints
Record the exact router, switch, media converter or transmission device at each end. Confirm that each interface can operate a 1G SFP module and that any vendor restrictions are understood.
Document the fibre path
Identify the fibre type, measured length, number of patch panels, splice count, connector polish and whether two continuous strands are available.
Calculate and test optical loss
Use design calculations and field measurements to make sure the expected received power remains within the permitted range with sufficient engineering margin.
Confirm the complete bill of materials
Include the correct number of modules, LC UPC single-mode patch cords, couplers where needed, dust-control items, labelling and any attenuators approved by the link designer.
Install, inspect and validate
Clean connector faces, insert modules correctly, verify transmit-to-receive polarity, review optical diagnostics when available and test traffic under the intended network configuration.
Optical reach must be engineered, not assumed
Long-distance fibre design is primarily an optical-power problem. The cable length is visible and easy to discuss, but it is only one contributor to loss. A route may contain distribution frames, patch cords, ageing connectors and multiple splices. Each element reduces the optical power arriving at the far end. Dirt on an LC ferrule can create additional loss or reflections, and a single poor connection can destabilise a route that appears acceptable on paper.
A responsible design begins with the module’s transmit and receiver characteristics, then subtracts the estimated loss of the route and preserves a margin for variation. Because detailed power values and field conditions should be confirmed from current technical documentation and measurements, buyers should avoid selecting solely from the phrase “up to 80 km.” In practical procurement, the useful questions are: What is the measured insertion loss? What wavelength was used during testing? How many passive connection points exist? Is there a future splice or expansion allowance? Is the receiving port likely to be overloaded on a much shorter route?
The S-55DLC80D can be a strong fit where the path genuinely requires long reach at 1G, but it should not replace proper link engineering. FourTeck can coordinate product selection and quotation, while the customer’s fibre contractor or project engineer should provide route records and acceptance-test information. This division of responsibility helps prevent delays caused by incorrect connector types, insufficient margin or a mismatch between the optical design and the host interface.
Host-port compatibility and operational visibility
The physical SFP form factor is widely used, but a matching shape does not guarantee full operational compatibility. A host device must support a 1G optical module in the selected cage. Some SFP+ cages can run 1G SFP modules, while others have limitations that depend on hardware design, software version or port configuration. MikroTik publishes wired-interface compatibility guidance for its platforms, and the exact host model should be checked before the purchase order is finalised.
When the module is used in a third-party switch or router, the vendor’s transceiver policy matters. Some equipment accepts standards-based modules freely; other platforms display warnings, disable unsupported optics or restrict support eligibility. Buyers should identify both endpoint vendors rather than assuming that successful operation on one side proves compatibility on the other.
Operational teams should also decide what monitoring information they expect. Optical diagnostics can help technicians observe transmit power, receive power, temperature and other parameters when supported by both module and host. Monitoring is valuable for identifying a degrading path before complete failure, but it should complement periodic fibre inspection and testing rather than replace it. Thresholds need to reflect the actual link budget, because a value that looks low in one design may be normal in another.
During commissioning, record the initial received-power reading at both ends, the software version, interface settings, patch-panel positions and strand labels. This baseline makes later troubleshooting faster. It also helps distinguish a fibre-path change from a module fault or configuration change. For managed networks, include alarms in the monitoring platform where the host exposes suitable diagnostic data.
Physical installation and maintenance discipline
Optical modules are compact, but the installation process deserves careful handling. The LC dust caps should remain in place until connection. Patch-cord end faces should be inspected and cleaned with appropriate fibre tools. A connector can look clean to the eye and still carry contamination that affects performance. Technicians should avoid touching ferrules and should never force a connector that does not seat normally.
Duplex polarity must be correct: the transmit side of one module connects to the receive side of the other. Pre-terminated links and patch panels can introduce crossed or straight-through mappings, so installers should trace and label the pair rather than repeatedly swapping cords without documentation. Where a route passes through several distribution frames, consistent labelling at every point reduces future service errors.
Environmental planning includes more than the module’s tested ambient range. The host equipment may have a narrower operating specification. A sealed outdoor cabinet can become far hotter than the surrounding air, especially in direct sunlight in the UAE. Power supplies, switches and neighbouring components generate heat, and airflow may be limited. Cabinet design, shading, ventilation and thermal monitoring therefore remain part of the system decision.
Maintenance procedures should preserve spare-port caps, approved cleaning materials and replacement patch cords. Teams operating critical routes may choose to hold tested spare modules, but spare policy depends on network criticality, lead time and redundancy. A spare should be stored in suitable packaging and periodically checked against the current hardware standard. Procurement should also record the exact part number to prevent a shorter-reach or different-wavelength module from being substituted unintentionally.
Ideal business environments and use cases
Service-provider aggregation
A provider may use long-reach 1G optics to connect a remote point of presence or distribution site where the traffic requirement remains within Gigabit capacity. Route diversity, power resilience and monitoring should be designed separately.
Industrial and utility links
Plants, substations, water facilities and remote control points often require fibre because of distance and electrical-noise considerations. The surrounding switch, enclosure and power system must be selected for the same environment.
Campus and estate networks
Universities, logistics parks, large compounds and property portfolios can use single-mode fibre to join distant buildings. The actual route may be shorter than 80 km, so receiver power and appropriate module selection still need review.
Surveillance backhaul
Remote camera clusters or security control locations may need a fibre uplink to the central network. Capacity planning should include aggregate video throughput, future cameras and redundancy rather than considering optical distance alone.
Telecom and tower connectivity
A long fibre route to a tower or communications shelter can require robust optical reach. Lightning protection for other conductors, cabinet cooling, power backup and access procedures remain separate project requirements.
Remote branch infrastructure
Where an enterprise owns or leases a suitable fibre pair between locations, the module may provide a straightforward physical uplink. Service demarcation, support ownership and fault-response responsibilities should be documented.
Integration and operational considerations
An optical module is one component in a larger network path. VLAN design, routing, loop protection, redundancy and traffic policy are handled by the connected equipment. When replacing a copper or wireless link, teams should verify interface configuration and maximum transmission unit requirements, particularly when the path carries provider tagging, tunnels or specialised industrial protocols.
Redundancy deserves separate planning. Installing one long-distance module at each end creates one physical link, not a resilient architecture. Critical services may require an alternate fibre route, separate ducts, redundant switches, diverse power and suitable failover configuration. Two links that share the same trench or patch panel may still fail together. The appropriate level of resilience depends on the business impact of downtime.
Security also remains a network-layer responsibility. Fibre is resistant to common electromagnetic interference, but it does not encrypt traffic. Sensitive data may require MACsec, IPsec or another security control supported by the endpoint systems and organisational policy. Access to patch rooms, cabinets and fibre distribution panels should be controlled and documented.
For troubleshooting, define ownership boundaries. The facilities team may own the passive fibre, the network team may own the switches and optics, and a carrier may own part of the route. Clear demarcation prevents repeated handoffs when a fault appears. Keeping insertion-loss results, OTDR traces, patching diagrams and module serial records together can materially shorten diagnosis.
Buyer questions to resolve before ordering
Procurement checklist
☐ Confirm exact product code S-55DLC80D.
☐ Record required quantity, including any approved spares.
☐ Verify both endpoint hardware models.
☐ Confirm 1G SFP operation in the selected cages.
☐ Verify duplex single-mode fibre availability.
☐ Confirm dual LC UPC presentation at each endpoint.
☐ Obtain measured path loss and route documentation.
☐ Check whether attenuation is needed for a shorter path.
☐ Include correct single-mode patch cords.
☐ Define installation and fibre-cleaning responsibility.
☐ Confirm cabinet temperature and host operating limits.
☐ Document warranty, lead time and delivery coordination.
How FourTeck can support the purchase
FourTeck can assist buyers by translating the network requirement into a clearer request for quotation. This may include confirming the exact MikroTik part number, reviewing the stated endpoint models, checking whether the requirement is for duplex or single-strand fibre, identifying likely patching items and coordinating a quotation for the requested quantity. Where the customer is comparing different reach options, FourTeck can help structure the comparison around actual distance, optical loss and interface speed rather than selecting only from a model name.
Installation and configuration requirements should be stated separately. Fitting an SFP module is straightforward, but validating a long fibre path can require specialist test equipment and access to multiple sites. The quotation should therefore distinguish product supply, passive-fibre testing, active-equipment configuration, on-site work and post-installation validation. This makes responsibilities and assumptions easier to understand.
For broader infrastructure needs, buyers can review FourTeck technology products, discuss network installation and support services, or send the project details through the FourTeck contact team. Customers planning a larger multi-vendor design can also explore the main FourTeck business technology website.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for the MikroTik S-55DLC80D. Supply can depend on quantity, vendor lead time and the exact commercial requirement. A quotation request should state whether the project needs one replacement unit, a matched set for a new link, or multiple modules for several routes. Delivery and project coordination can be discussed after the model and quantity are confirmed.
For organisations operating across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman, FourTeck can coordinate requirement review and commercial planning through one discussion. Installation or configuration scope should be included in the quotation when required. Site access, fibre testing, patching responsibility, cabinet conditions and acceptance criteria should be agreed before a deployment date is set. Availability wording should not be treated as a stock commitment until FourTeck issues the applicable quotation and confirms the supply arrangement.
GCC Availability
Businesses planning MikroTik fibre links across the GCC can contact FourTeck for requirement review, product selection guidance and quotation coordination. The S-55DLC80D may be relevant to long-distance 1G links in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Oman, but the correct choice depends on the endpoint equipment, fibre route and local project conditions. Product availability, delivery schedules, service visits and vendor lead times can vary by country, quantity and requirement. Buyers should provide the destination country, exact module quantity, host-device models, fibre distance, connector presentation and preferred deployment schedule. Where configuration, installation or testing support is required, that scope should be described separately so it can be assessed. FourTeck can also help coordinate broader regional requirements through resources such as FourTeck Kuwait technology support. No assumption should be made about local inventory, customs processing or fixed delivery timing until the destination and commercial terms are confirmed.
Africa Availability
FourTeck can assist organisations assessing MikroTik optical connectivity for projects in Africa, including selected requirements in East Africa and other regional markets. Support can begin with reviewing the exact transceiver model, intended distance, fibre characteristics, endpoint compatibility, quantity, spares strategy and installation expectations. Availability and fulfilment may depend on destination, product quantity, vendor lead time, shipping arrangements, local power and environmental conditions, and whether on-site services are part of the request. Buyers should share the destination country, exact requirement, expected project schedule and any testing or configuration needs. Projects in Kenya or Uganda can also reference FourTeck Kenya and FourTeck Uganda, while wider enquiries can use FourTeck Africa. Local inventory, immediate shipment, customs outcomes and country-wide onsite coverage should not be assumed unless specifically confirmed for the project.
Related products and services to evaluate
Shorter-reach 1G optics
For routes well below 80 km, a different single-mode module may provide a more appropriate optical-power profile. Selection should follow measured loss and host compatibility.
Single-strand BiDi pairs
Where only one fibre strand is available, a matched transmit and receive wavelength pair may be required. A duplex module is not a direct substitute.
10G SFP+ alternatives
Projects needing more than Gigabit capacity should evaluate SFP+ interfaces and suitable 10G optics rather than expecting this 1.25G module to provide higher throughput.
Fibre testing services
Insertion-loss measurement, connector inspection and route documentation can help verify that the passive infrastructure is ready for commissioning.
Network configuration support
Endpoint VLAN, routing, failover and monitoring configuration may be needed in addition to the optical hardware.
Why businesses contact FourTeck
A transceiver purchase can appear simple until the buyer must reconcile interface speed, connector type, wavelength, reach, fibre condition and host support. Businesses contact FourTeck to clarify those requirements before a quotation is prepared. The discussion can identify whether the stated model fits the actual route, what supporting components should be considered and which project details remain the customer’s or installer’s responsibility.
FourTeck can also help organise bill-of-material information for procurement teams, coordinate quantity-based quotations, separate supply from service scope and document assumptions for regional delivery. This practical approach is especially useful when multiple stakeholders are involved, such as IT, facilities, a fibre contractor, a systems integrator and purchasing. It reduces ambiguity without making unsupported promises about stock, delivery, compatibility or final link performance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the MikroTik S-55DLC80D used for?
It is used to create a 1.25G duplex single-mode fibre interface for long-distance links rated up to 80 km, subject to the actual optical budget and installation conditions.
Does an 80 km rating guarantee operation at 80 km?
No. The result depends on fibre attenuation, splices, connectors, patch panels, cleanliness, receiver limits and engineering margin. The route should be calculated and tested.
Which fibre and connector does it require?
The module is intended for single-mode fibre and uses a dual LC UPC connection. The path requires two strands with correct transmit and receive polarity.
Can it be installed in an SFP+ cage?
Many MikroTik SFP+ cages can operate supported 1G SFP modules, but the exact host model and software compatibility should be confirmed before ordering.
Is it suitable for a single fibre strand?
No. This is a duplex optical module. A single-strand link normally requires a matched BiDi pair using complementary wavelengths.
Can the module be used on a short link?
A long-reach optic may deliver too much power on a short path. The design should verify receiver limits and determine whether another module or approved attenuation is appropriate.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Provide the required quantity, endpoint device models, fibre distance, connector type, destination, expected schedule and whether patch cords, installation or testing support are required.
Is UAE stock guaranteed?
No stock position should be assumed. Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability, quantity and vendor lead time for the applicable quotation.
Does FourTeck provide installation support?
Installation, fibre testing and network configuration can be discussed as separate scope items. Site access, responsibilities and acceptance criteria must be agreed for the project.
Confirm the complete long-distance link requirement
Send FourTeck the endpoint models, fibre route information, quantity and delivery destination. The team can coordinate product confirmation, supporting-item review and a suitable quotation without assuming that distance alone determines compatibility.
