Telecommunications
CGA publishes telecom white paper on preventing utility damage trends
(UI) — Based on research among telecommunications stakeholders, CGA’s new research points to the sector’s impact on the U.S. damage prevention system as a whole and recommends key actions telecom organizations can take to drive damages down.
Wisconsin's $42 million broadband infrastructure grant sees overwhelming demand
Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) have announced that the Wisconsin Broadband Office received 124 applications requesting $221.6 million for the Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program.
FCC adopts rules to eliminate ‘digital discrimination’ for communities with poor internet access
Poorer neighborhoods were found to have received lower investment in broadband infrastructure and offered worse deals for internet service than comparatively higher-income areas. That inequity in access “was especially pronounced during the pandemic,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.
Montana telecom completes $11 million, 380-mile fiber cable burial project
(UI) — Blackfoot Communications, headquartered in Missoula, has recently celebrated the successful culmination of a six-year endeavor, entailing an $11 million investment, to install more than 380 miles of cutting-edge fiber optic cable within the Flathead Reservation vicinity around St. Ignatius, according to Government Technology.
Comtech Telecommunications wins $30 million contract to enhance US Army tactical communications
(UI) — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. has been awarded a $30 million contract from Fairwinds Technologies LLC to provide Comtech’s next-generation Troposcatter Family of Systems (FOS) in support of U.S. Army tactical communications.
Wellington City Council adopts digital map for underground infrastructure management
(UI) — The Wellington Underground Asset Map, backed by a $4 million investment, aims to revolutionize the installation and maintenance of buried infrastructure, including telecommunications cables, gas pipes, and other vital services.
Fiber Broadband Association expands state broadband resources with Workforce Development Guidebook
(UI) — FBA’s Workforce Development Guidebook notes that, according to the government’s calculations, 150,000 telecom jobs will be created by BEAD, while research by the Fiber Broadband Association estimates the industry will need over 205,000 new jobs in the next five years to construct, operate, and maintain these new networks in every state.
Crown Electrokinetics partners with telecommunication infrastructure company to build fiber optic network across Northwest US
The agreement expands Crown’s customer base and geographic coverage with operations now in Washington, and soon to expand to Oregon and California.
KCI Technologies acquires Virginia-based telecommunications company
KCI Technologies has acquired National Telecom Design. The acquisition extends KCI’s presence in the telecommunications industry, growing KCI’s engineering, backbone and lateral fiber design, relocation and inspection capabilities for communications clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic.
Georgia to use $240 million in federal cash to build broadband
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said the state will spend another $240 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds to construct broadband internet to rural locations that don’t currently have connections.
Infinera, NEC deploy solution to connect underground fiber optic networks in US, Mexico
Infinera and NEC Corp. have deployed the partnership’s ICE6 technology, a solution that will help establish a 100% underground and ultra-low latency fiber network to connect Laredo, Texas, with the city of Monterrey in Mexico.
Kentucky governor announces $203 million for broadband expansion
Kentucky took a step toward closing its digital divide when Gov. Andy Beshear announced $203 million in broadband investments to connect areas with no internet access or chronically slow service.
Conterra to invest $22 million in North Carolina broadband infrastructure
Conterra Ultra Broadband Holdings announced its continued investment in fiber network growth across Union County, North Carolina, with its initial investment of $9.6 million and an additional estimated $12.7 million expected over 5 years.
Broadband expansion has companies looking to recruit skilled workers
Although major federal investments are aiming to bridge the internet access gap, the funds can only go so far without an increase in the number of workers capable of building and installing high-speed internet infrastructure.
Fiber Comes Home
The inexorable wave of fiber to the premises continues its march across America and indeed, much of the world. And to my delight, fiber is finally arriving at homes in my suburban community.
Unity-based telecom is bought by Idaho company
Unity telecommunications has been bought by Direct Communications to serve high-speed internet to rural communities.
FOSA supports new Federal Highway Administration "Dig Once" regulations
The Fiber Optic Sensing Association supports new "Dig Once" policies that go into effect on March 3.
Harbor Link breaks ground on new Baltimore underground conduit project
Harbor Link begins work on a Baltimore telecommunications project that will install 60 miles of conduit to be used for fiber optic cables.
South Dakota Struggles to Provide Rural Broadband Access
As federal officials debate investing billions of dollars in broadband access, South Dakota is planning to invest $100 million as it struggles to extend reliable internet service to every corner of the state.
Santee Cooper is Set to Offer Broadband on its Extra Lines
Santee Cooper is taking company applications to use extra fiber and transmission lines for rural broadband service.
A Wisconsin County Forms Task Force to Expand Internet Access
Dane County, Wis. created a task force to provide internet access to rural communities.
Agreement Provides Fiber-Optic Improvements in Rural Areas
Fiber-Optic improvements will be conducted in a few rural counties.
USDA Awards Alaska Utility $22 Million for Fiber Installation
Alaska Power & Telephone Company has been awarded $21.5 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to install more than 200 miles of fiber optic cable in rural Alaska.
Traverse City Utility Builds out New Fiber Network
A utility in Traverse City, Michigan is building out a new fiber broadband network across the city which includes installation of nearly 15 miles of underground cable.
Fiber Project Pushes Through Difficult Ground Conditions, Environmental Challenges
On its own merit, a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) shot spanning more than five football fields long is a substantial task. But when you add in both volcanic and clay ground conditions, a tight deadline and an environmentally protected job site, it becomes all the more challenging.
USDA Awards $750 Million for Rural Broadband Infrastructure
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is awarding nearly $750 million in loans and grants to help improve broadband infrastructure in rural areas around the country.
euNetworks Adds New High Density Fiber Networks in Milan and Madrid
euNetworks Group Limited (“euNetworks”), a Western European bandwidth infrastructure company, has announced that it has undertaken further network investment in Europe, building duct based, high fiber count networks in the cities of Milan and Madrid.
Australian Fiber-Optics to Bring High-Speed Internet to East Timor
Australia on Friday announced a new maritime security agreement with East Timor in which the fledgling democracy will gain naval infrastructure and an undersea internet link with the world as China increases its influence in the region.
Utility & Communications Construction Update
Mixed revenue and profitability results marked the second quarter of 2019 for the utility and communications industry, particularly among the publicly traded members of the Utility & Communications Construction Index (UCCI). Quanta Services continues to increase both its revenue and profitability. UCCI companies are near all-time highs of revenue, but experienced declines in profit margins during the quarter.
Pennsylvania Counties Using Fiber Optics to Improve 911 Capabilities
For years, fiber-optic cables have been the gold standard in speed and reliability for telecommunication networks. Not only do they provide much faster internet data speeds for homes and businesses, they allow for larger and more complex data sets to be transferred at no loss to speed or quality.
- DeLa Express seeks FERC approval for Permian-to-Louisiana gas pipeline project
- OSHA penalizes Houston contractor over safety violations resulting in worker's death
- Fiber infrastructure has no known expiration date, Fiber Broadband Association research concludes
- Nevada OSHA fines Elon Musk's Boring Company over safety violations in Vegas tunnel project
- Damage prevention and safety: Turning awareness into action
- Ditch Witch 1030
- Michigan lawmakers introduce bills to create septic codes throughout the state
- Indiana American Water to gain 8,000 water customers with Silver Creek Water acquisition
- Arkansas governor allocates $42 million for water infrastructure projects
- Federal judge finds Flint, Mich, in contempt over lead water pipe crisis