News and perspectives from the world of fiber optic networking

There's a lot to say in the world of fiber optic networking - planning, design, mapping, technology, software, database, permitting, dark fiber, fiber-to-the-home. The experienced network professionals of 3-GIS know the challenges you face & implement solutions daily.

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Mar 24, 2022 3:38:53 PM
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • Telecom technologies
  • As-built

Is CAD the answer to telecom design?

Whether it be through new inventions, technological advancements, more efficient processes, or simply finding better and easier ways to do things, the way we work is evolving. In the power industry, we have evolved to create smart grid technology to understand the real-time needs of the network. In the telecommunications industry, we have evolved through hardware advancements to produce faster bandwidth capabilities and, by using artificial intelligence, anticipate and proactively address potential outage locations before the end user is impacted. The planning, designing, and documenting of these networks is also evolving to allow further access and knowledge of the networks that we deploy. As we deploy the advanced networks that are being constructed today, the management of these networks requires a different level of access and information.

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Jun 14, 2021 3:36:48 PM
Article Article
  • Fiber network construction
  • Fiber network design and automation

Checkpoints to confirm constructibility

Engineering firms aim to put their best resources on their most complex design projects. That is, they assign their top notch engineers and best software to meet the time and cost requirements. But even the most experienced design engineers need a few good rules of thumb to ensure the constructibility of the deliverable. We’ll share four of our team’s checkpoints that help deliver projects that streamline the processes to service activation.

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Mar 26, 2021 3:54:56 PM
Article Article
  • Fiber network construction
  • Fiber network management
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • RDOF

5 reasons asset management system is needed for RDOF fiber deployment

While there are many challenges that arise during any fiber optic deployment, construction and reporting requirements and deploying fiber in rural areas bring some unique challenges to RDOF projects. One of the most important actions that you can take to meet these challenges is to invest in an asset management system that can meet your current needs and scale with your changing business operations. 

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Aug 21, 2020 3:20:16 PM
  • Fiber network construction
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • Telecom technologies

Unleashing the power of configuration

Streamlined, efficient business operations is a top goal for telecom organizations around the world. Effective network management systems  fit your unique business environment and allow your team to get up and running quickly, reduce swivel-chair turns, eliminate bandaid workarounds, and decrease operational delays. The key to reaping these benefits? Using your configuration control to unleash the power of the application.

We sat down with Greg Connors, now Technical Product Manager at 3-GIS, but former Technical Lead at Level 3 Communications and longtime GIS specialist, to ask him about his experience with different systems with varying degrees of configurability. Check out what Greg has to say:

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Jul 23, 2020 1:12:37 PM
  • Fiber network construction
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • Telecom technologies

Using automation to uplevel the accuracy & speed of network deployment

The increasing pace of developing new network technologies means that network providers, managers, and engineers need to document and manage new and complex information, but methods for meeting these needs have yet to be addressed in most existing network management systems. 3-GIS takes the next step in physical network management providing solutions that create and maintain high veracity OSP data that can be leveraged throughout the service providers’ business and operational ecosystems.

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Jun 29, 2020 5:10:10 PM
Article Article
  • Fiber network construction
  • Fiber network design and automation

Five lessons learned in the permitting process

We’re running the risk of stating the obvious here -- reliable internet access is essential. We’ve all had the opportunity to learn this first hand throughout the COVID-19 pandemic shelter-in-place orders. If you’re a telecom engineering firm, you’ve likely felt the urgency to deploy even more fiber even faster because of the pressure being applied to current networks around the world.

But deploying a fiber network is complex and protracted. From planning to design to permitting, it can take what feels like an eternity just to make it to the construction phase. 

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May 11, 2020 7:02:00 AM
  • Fiber network management
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • Telecom technologies

Enabling network deployment at velocity: GIS more than network mapping

The year was 1994 and at the time I had visions of saving the planet. I was determined to enter into an environmental profession and my Alma Mater had only one program that resonated, Environment Science and GIS. As I progressed through the program I learned to not only understand the meaning of GIS but also began to appreciate the power of the technology. After graduating, I worked with an environment engineering firm evaluating the efficacy of GIS technology for business providing utility services. It was the utility companies that were migrating networks consisting of water, gas and electric from CAD based solutions to GIS based solutions. 

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Jan 16, 2020 10:08:22 AM
Article Article
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • Telecom technologies
  • Utility Telecom Networks

Avoiding fiber deployment roadblocks in the utility market

Fiber networks are the future for utility companies and co-ops to bring new services to their market. Getting these networks deployed with accurate data to successfully avoid costly deployment roadblocks that could lead to insufficient reports, time loss, and operational frustrations is key to bringing network services to their customers faster and achieving better business operating results. So, what are the possible problems and obstructions utilities could encounter? And what tools are available to help prevent them from disrupting their deployment efforts?

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