Regarding outside plant fiber-optic restorations, what may be accomplished if a suitable path exists?

The correct answer reflects a practical approach to fiber-optic restorations in outside plant scenarios. If a suitable path exists, converting an aerial fiber-optic installation to an underground installation is feasible. This transition can enhance the reliability and protection of the network, as underground installations are generally less susceptible to environmental factors such as storms, falling trees, or accidental damage from construction activities.

This choice emphasizes the flexibility of infrastructure management in telecommunications, allowing for adaptive actions in response to situational challenges. In cases where an aerial span may be compromised or requires significant maintenance, moving the cables underground can provide a long-term solution that improves the overall resilience of the network.

The other options present less effective or inaccurate approaches to managing fiber-optic installations. For instance, maintaining aerial installations regardless of the path may lead to ongoing vulnerabilities, especially if the aerial infrastructure has known weaknesses that could be mitigated through an underground solution. Additionally, while underground installations can be more expensive, they are not always so, and the assertion that they are always more costly does not consider various factors like local conditions or specific project requirements. Lastly, the idea that only temporary fixes should be used for underground installations undermines the potential for a permanent and well-planned underground network, which is often the goal