News and perspectives from the world of fiber optic networking

• Fiber network industry and markets
• GIS
• Communications service providers

Combating the telecom skills challenge

The telecoms market is seeing rapid change, perhaps even faster than we first expected. Alongside this, the current economic climate has caused a push for network operators to shift focus from network expansion to connecting customers. That has sadly meant that reductions in headcount have been a common theme, as evidenced in a recent study showing that 76% of communications service providers (CSPs) surveyed had reduced their workforce in the last 6 years.¹ 

These reductions, coupled with those leaving the industry due to retirement, have created a collective ‘brain drain’ with the knowledge tied up in systems, processes, and network architecture now at risk of being lost. Based on these challenges, operators will need to do more with less to operate efficiently.  

• Fiber network management
• Fiber network industry and markets
• App modernization
• Data integrity

Leveraging AI and automation to streamline data collection and management

Telecom network operators face several data challenges, including as-built backlogs, data silos, and legacy system limitations. Manual data entry and cumbersome workflows contribute to these issues, often resulting in poor data quality and missing information. Addressing these challenges involves not only improving data collection processes but also implementing robust data management practices to ensure data integrity and accessibility.

• Fiber network construction
• Fiber network industry and markets
• Fiber deployment

Can BIM help us build better fibre networks?

The development and deployment of fibre networks play a crucial role in shaping our digital landscape. As we navigate this era of rapid technological advancement, it's important to explore innovative approaches that streamline the construction process, enhance efficiency, and ensure sustainability. Learning from other industries can greatly aid in this endeavour. Building Information Modelling (BIM), a revolutionary methodology mandated by the UK government for the construction industry, offers many parallels to how we conceive, design, and build fibre networks. 

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Internet service
• RDOF

The vital role of connectivity in modern agriculture

The importance of high-speed internet connectivity stretches across all facets of our lives, impacting sectors we may not think of, such as agriculture. Connectivity is not only important, but essential for sustaining agricultural communities in the United States, as emphasized by Andy Berke, the administrator of the Rural Utilities Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

• Telecom technologies
• GIS
• 3-GIS | Web

How do Esri and 3-GIS work together?

One question we get asked a lot of centres on how Esri and 3-GIS technologies combine to provide a comprehensive, GIS-based system of record. In this post, we’ll explain the collaborative relationship between Esri and 3-GIS and the respective roles they play in telecom network management.

• Fiber network management
• Telecom technologies
• GIS

What is enterprise GIS?

If there’s one thing that’s consistent across the telecom industry, it’s the need for reliable data. As telcos work through their planning and growth strategies, data accessibility and integrity remain points of friction—prompting discussions around the need for enterprise GIS. But what exactly is enterprise GIS? Let’s break it down to understand why more and more organizations are embracing it.

• Fiber network management
• Telecom technologies
• 3-GIS | Web
• 3-GIS | Diagramming

The evolution of network visualization

I have always found maps to be interesting. Whether it was a nautical chart or fold out road map in the back seat of a car, I spent quite a bit of time looking at maps as a child. Even when I go somewhere today, I will often bring back a map as a souvenir.

• Fiber network industry and markets
• Internet service
• Communications service providers

The true cost of network downtime

In recent blog posts, we explored fault resolution using 3-GIS tools (such as OTDR Trace and Single Point of Failure) and discussed common reasons customers may dial up their service providers for assistance. While addressing individual issues is crucial, it’s also important to understand the broader implications of network outages. Today, we’ll dive into the larger impacts of network outages, including the financial, operational, and customer service challenges they pose.