Fiber optic drop terminal mounting plate

A fiber drop terminal (“FDT”) assembly adapted for use in a fiber optic network of a multiple dwelling unit to selectively optically connect at least one connectorized optical fiber of a distribution cable to a connectorized optical fiber of at least one drop cable, wherein the FDT assembly is adapted to be selectively mountable to a generally vertical surface, the FDT assembly comprising:

• a base defining a back wall and at least one sidewall extending outwardly from the back wall, wherein the base defines at least one opening for passage of the distribution cable and the drop cable through at least one of the back wall and sidewall;
• a cover adapted to selectively connect to the base;
• at least one plurality of adapters joined to at least one of the base and the cover, wherein the adapters are adapted to receive a connector of the distribution cable and a connector of the drop cable to optically connect the connectorized optical fiber of the distribution cable to the connectorized optical fiber of the drop cable;
• and
• a mounting plate that is selectively mountable to the generally vertical surface and is adapted to selectively receive the base of the FDT assembly, wherein the mounting plate is structured and arranged to prevent dismounting of the base from the mounting plate without prior disconnection of the cover from the base.

A method of installing a fiber drop terminal (“FDT”) assembly to a generally vertical surface, the FDT assembly adapted for use in a fiber optic network of a multiple dwelling unit to selectively optically connect at least one connectorized optical fiber of a distribution cable to a connectorized optical fiber of at least one drop cable, the method comprising:

• providing the FDT assembly comprising a base, a cover, at least one plurality of adapters joined to at least one of the base and the cover, and a mounting plate;
• mounting the mounting plate to the generally vertical surface, wherein the mounting plate is selectively mountable;
• retaining at least one of the base and the cover of the FDT assembly to the mounting plate, wherein the at least one of the base and the cover is selectively retained by the mounting plate;
• and
• locking at least one of the cover and the base such that the mounting plate is prevented from selective dismounting without prior removal of at least one of the cover and the base.