Redwood Region Economic Development Commission

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Question #5: Facilities & Resources

We have partnered with IP Networks (“IPN”) to assist you with the deployment of an ultra-high speed fiber to the home (FTTH) network.   IPN has established a unique relationship with the local utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (“PG&E”) that allows IPN to install an advanced telecommunications network on the utility’s embedded infrastructure.  Through a unique resolution passed by the California Public Utility Committee (“CPUC”) in 2000, IPN is licensed to leverage all PG&E assets including poles and conduit to install fiber.  IPN’s fiber is installed SOLELY in the existing utility infrastructure. This method of installation (see Question #6) offers several advantages, including:

1. No land disturbance: Because we are using 100% utility assets for installation there is no need for any new foundations for asset construction nor any plowing, trenching, boring, micro-trenching, rock saw, etc.  The fiber is simply hung on the existing electrical distribution asset where there is distribution of electricity or pulled through existing underground conduit where the electrical lines run underground.
2. Existing Right-Of Way: IPN is able to leverage the local utility’s telecommunications ROW.  In such cases, no additional ROW grants are required.
3. No Pole Access Issues: Per discussion above, IPN already has access to all poles.  Therefore all the utility’s poles are available for attachment today.
4. No Conduit Access Issues: Again, per the overarching license agreement between IPN and the local utility (PG&E), IPN has access to all PG&E conduit for pulling fiber through.  There is no need for trenching, etc.  We simply enter through the manhole and pull the fiber through.
5. No significant environmental impact: Again, because we are using existing infrastructure, we foresee no significant environmental impact.  In fact, during the CPUC review and approval of the IPN-PG&E agreements, the IPN worked extensively with the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) staff to help refresh the actual CEQA processes and procedures helpful to industry while still keeping protection of California’s environment at the forefront.   As a consequence, there was formal resolution passed by the CPUC specific to IPN that gave IPN a Mitigated Negative Declaration for all projects that IPN operates in eight counties in California.  We are actively working with the CPUC to expand this coverage to Humboldt County.  This document appeared too large for the system to be attached as an Exhibit however, it can be viewed at: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/jones_stokes/IS%20DMND.pdf . 

Poles And Aerial Installations

The total overhead mileage for electrical distribution, and thus available to Google for fiber installation in the proposed project area is approximately 255 miles which is hung across approximately 4,488 poles.

Conduits

The total underground conduit mileage for electrical distribution in the proposed project area, and thus available to Google for fiber installation is approximately 59 miles.

Question #6: Construction Methods

Although we have not done a specific study aimed at determining the optimal construction method for fiber to the home (FTTH), we are working with IP Networks to ensure straight-forward to connectivity. 

As noted above, IP Networks, through a unique licensing relationship with the local utility Pacific Gas & Electric (“PG&E”), has access to all PG&E assets including conduits and poles.  Based on over 450 route miles of fiber construction in the wider Bay Area, IP Networks is confident that FTTH is feasible using our proven installation methods of either aerial or underground thru conduit, depending on how the electricity enters the home (see below).

IPN Lateral Construction: Aerial

Phase 1: Pole Calcs/Engineering

• Field Survey of PG&E Pole Route to determine Pole Class, Heights, Condition, and existing telecom attachments
• Perform Load Calculations to confirm Pole can support new fiber
• Determine method of fiber attachment to pole and specify bill of materials
• Submit Pole Package to PG&E for approval and JPA authorization

Phase 2: Pole Make-Ready (PG&E inspector)

• Adjust existing Pole cable attachments (telephone, cable) to make room for new fiber
• Frame out pole with attachment materials (Stand-offs, Dead-Ends, Tangents)

Phase 3: Fiber Placement (PG&E inspector)

• Install 72 count ADSS fiber onto poles
• Adjust slack and add fiber storage loops
• Tag fiber with FC Number
• Collect data on OSP install for As Built completion (sequentials, GPS locations data, etc.)

IPN Lateral Construction: Underground (always through existing utility conduit)

Phase 1: Rod & Rope (PG&E inspector)

• Review PG&E duct maps to determine route for fiber lateral
• Install mule tape from Splice Manhole to Building Vault

Phase 2: OSP Install (PG&E inspector)

• Install maxcell innerduct from splice point to building vault
• Install 72 count fiber from splice point to building vault, leave 50 feet of slack on each end

Phase 3: OSP Splice (PG&E inspector)

• Receive city permit for temporary street occupancy
• Allocate Coyote splice case for lateral splice
• Splice lateral fibers (6-12 fibers) into network fiber
• Rack & Tag lateral fiber
• Collect data on lateral fro As Built completion

Phase 4: Vault Core and OSP Feed (PG&E inspector)

• Core hole from PG&E vault to building electrical room
• Feed OSP fiber into building

Phase 5: ISP Install & Splice

• Install AFL wall mount enclosure in electrical room for transition from OSP fiber to ISP fiber
• Install 12 or 48 count ISP fiber from building electrical room to building MPOE
• Fusion splice OSP fiber (6-12 fibers) to ISP fiber running from building electrical room to building MPOE
• Splice ISP fiber to SC pigtails (6-12 fibers) in Multilink wall mount enclosure in MPOE
• Install 12 or 48 count fiber up building risers from MPOE to telco closet on floor of customer
• Splice ISP fiber to SC pigtails (6-12 fibers) in Multilink wall mount enclosure in telco closet
• Install 12 count fiber from telco closet to customer suite and splice to SC pigtails (4 fibers) on each end
• Install Multilink rack mount enclosure in customer rack

Phase 6: Electronics configuration

• Install customer premise electronics
• Test circuit end to end