Fall is upon us. Our region is progressing into a colorful, fruitful harvest season. The weather is getting cooler, and the leaves are beginning to drop.
Autumn is the transition season that leads us from sunny months to the crisp days of winter, where end-of-the-year excitement begins.
Just like seasons change, the Beacon Broadband fiber-to-the-home project is transforming.
Beacon Broadband’s crews and contractors have started making headway across our multifaceted project to bring the fiber broadband experience where no one else will go.
There are numerous elements to the process, so when we say “the project is progressing,” we are referring to the many pieces that make up this dynamic construction process.
What makes this project unique is how energetic it is. Rather than moving forward one step at a time, there are many
concurrent moving parts. Below is a broad view of what’s going on within project areas.
Design and Engineering. The team is developing route maps for underground and aerial fiber-optic cables and assessing the terrain through which the network will pass. This is complex and requires intense analyses to determine materials, timelines, cost forecasting, and more.
Business Development. Behind the scenes, the team is working on processes and workflows to provide exceptional service to our future customers. We are training and learning to use systems and tools that set us apart from other service providers in the region.
Utility Locations and Trenching. Crews are locating and identifying underground utilities to prepare neighborhoods for underground trenching of conduit. This includes marking the locations of electric, water, sewer and telecommunications infrastructure. Using directional bore machines for main construction is the least invasive installation method to connect underground materials. All this construction can be disruptive. We apologize for that in advance. Beacon Broadband and our contractors will do everything possible to ensure your property is in as good or better condition than before we started work.
Fiber Hut Construction. Earlier this year, we installed fiber huts in the south end. In September, huts were placed in Geisel, Port Orford, Langlois, Broadbent and Morrison. These huts act as the main switchboards along our network. Inside the huts, we are placing equipment and connecting fiber cables to devices that receive and transmit signals between your devices and the internet.
Mapping. We are creating and integrating a mapping system of the Beacon Broadband network to track and manage the fiber strands across the network for faster troubleshooting, installation, reporting and more.
Make Ready Construction. “Make ready” work is underway. This is the process of ensuring existing utility poles— which fiber-optic cable will be strung—are in suitable condition to install the cables. Currently, crews are surveying the state of Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative poles to determine what improvements, if any, are needed, then making improvements.
Equipment and Supply Procurement. The team is working diligently to ensure Beacon Broadband is forecasting and purchasing supplies and equipment needed to complete the construction project. We are planning ahead and preordering critical equipment early to stay ahead of industry supply chain shortages.
Service Drops. Our crews are working ahead of construction and installing aerial strand fiber from existing overhead power poles and underground conduit to many of the homes that have preregistered for service. When Beacon Broadband’s fiber network is up and running in the area, this groundwork will allow our customers to connect to the network more efficiently. At the moment, most of the service drops are being done in the southern end of the Beacon Broadband service territory.
Installation. While we are not yet installing fiber equipment in the home, the Beacon Broadband team is working to create efficient processes and workflows. This will ensure our future installers have the training to help you decide the best equipment placement for reliable service from Beacon Broadband
We are excited to begin offering the fiber broadband experience to our future customers. The project will be built out over the next three to five years. While the project progresses, be sure to preregister for service at www.beaconbroadband.com. To stay informed and involved in the construction project, visit www.beaconbroadband.com/projectupdate.