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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Oct 16, 2023 8:00:00 AM
  • Fiber network construction
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers
  • 3-GIS | Web
  • Fiber deployment

Navigating the network lifecycle: Construction

Once we traversed the realms of planning, engineering, and field verification, we were ready to start construction.  This was our biggest challenge. Construction was the moment where theory met reality, and we were determined to turn our vision into tangible infrastructure. However, the path ahead was riddled with obstacles and divergent opinions, particularly when it came to meeting the needs of the contractor community and ensuring swift progress. 

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Sep 15, 2023 4:46:07 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers
  • Fiber deployment

Navigating the network lifecycle: Field verification

The network lifecycle is a complex and interconnected process, with each step building upon the previous one. We've explored the planning and engineering phases, uncovering the challenges and strategies involved in our endeavor to support The West Coast Company (WCC) in their nationwide fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) buildout. Now it's time to dive into field verification.

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Sep 5, 2023 3:19:28 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers
  • Fiber deployment

Navigating the network lifecycle: Engineering

Welcome to part three of our blog series detailing the highs and lows of the network lifecycle. In the first installment, I shared my experiences supporting a nationwide fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) buildout with the West Coast Company (WCC). While, in the second installment, I dove into the significance of strategic planning. 

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Aug 4, 2023 4:35:08 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers
  • Fiber deployment

Navigating the network lifecycle: Planning

Welcome back to our blog series on the journey of building fiber networks from the ground up. In the first installment, I shared the whirlwind beginning of our endeavor to support The West Coast Company (WCC) in their nationwide fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) buildout. Today, we delve into a critical phase of the network lifecycle: planning.

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Jul 21, 2023 5:24:42 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers

Navigating the network lifecycle: An introduction

For those of you that have been in the telecom industry for some time, the following story will more than likely resonate with your own experience. I was introduced to 3-GIS through one of its owners, Tom Counts, and was intrigued with the niche that they had built for themselves specifically in the fiber market. 

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Jul 7, 2023 10:23:53 AM
  • Fiber network management
  • Telecom technologies
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers

Shift in GIS technology: Reimagining the transactional model

If you work for a telco and have needed to track your network assets in a centralized way, you may have used Ericsson Network Engineer (ENE) or similar software solution. ENE and many other solutions that rely on Esri technology use geodatabase versioning technology to manage transactions. Versioning facilitates long transactions by allowing editors to work isolated within their own version of the geodatabase and across multiple editing sessions.

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Jun 16, 2023 4:24:22 PM
  • Telecom technologies
  • GIS
  • Fiber deployment

Adapt. Overcome.

As I approach my ten-year anniversary at 3-GIS I have spent some time reflecting on the journey. Many of you may not be aware of this, but I did not start my career supporting the Telecom industry. As a matter of fact, my first job was converting water and electric utility CAD and billing systems to GIS-enabled platforms. From there I worked on large Superfund remediation programs and permitting for trash incinerators which, strangely enough, led me to focus on transportation engineering and mining exploration. From there I had the honor of supporting our warfighters and intelligence communities by providing mapping and innovative GIS application solutions. While this career journey has been somewhat circuitous, I am truly thankful for the wisdom and experience that has been imparted to me along the way.   

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Jun 9, 2023 10:13:29 AM
  • Fiber network management
  • Telecom technologies
  • GIS
  • Communications service providers

How telcos use GIS-based network management systems

To be competitive in the telecommunications landscape today providers rely on workflow processes and systems that integrate information across the company to support running the business efficiently. A GIS-based network management system provides telecommunication providers with many key benefits in this ever-changing industry. The GIS system allows providers to build a digital replica of the physical connected network to support all aspects of the business including operations, planning, engineering, provisioning, sales, marketing, and finance. This digital replica of the network enables collaboration across departments providing timely and fact-based information to support better decision making on financial investments, reducing operational costs, and improving customer satisfaction. 

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