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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May 5, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network industry and markets
  • Telecom technologies
  • GIS

How GIS transforms fiber proposals - Part 3: Creating accurate cost estimates

Cost miscalculations. The silent deal-killers of the fiber proposals process. Following our exploration of slow, manual processes and asset visibility challenges, we now address the most problematic factor that 37% of organizations we surveyed in a recent webinar identify as their biggest hurdle: creating accurate cost estimates.

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Apr 28, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • Telecom technologies
  • 3-GIS | Web

How GIS transforms fiber proposals - Part 2: Maximizing success with network asset visibility

Valuable fiber assets often sit unused while providers build costly new infrastructure alongside them. Why? Because many providers simply can't see what they already have.

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Apr 21, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network industry and markets
  • Telecom technologies
  • GIS

How GIS transforms fiber proposals - Part 1: The cost of manual proposal methods

Ever wonder why some fiber providers consistently win contracts while others struggle to close deals? In a recent webinar, we pulled back the curtain on what's really happening in the proposal process. The (not so) shocking reality? Many providers are losing winnable deals due to slow, manual processes, poor visibility into their network assets, and proposals with cost estimates that miss the mark.

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Mar 17, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network industry and markets
  • Telecom technologies
  • Communications service providers

Connected America 2025 recap: Innovations and regulations shaping telecom's future

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the third annual Connected America conference in Dallas. Over 2,200 industry professionals gathered to explore the future of connectivity, and throughout the event, two major themes became apparent: emerging technologies are transforming telecom operations in exciting new ways, and the industry is adapting to evolving regulatory frameworks under the new administration.

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Mar 10, 2025 3:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network design and automation
  • Telecom technologies
  • Fiber deployment

The hidden costs of not using OSP design software

Some network operators still rely on manual processes or outdated tools for outside plant (OSP) design, assuming they can cut costs by avoiding specialized software. But what seems like a cost-saving measure can often result in unexpected expenses, from labor-intensive rework to project delays and compliance issues. The hidden price of these inefficiencies adds up quickly—delaying revenue, straining budgets, and putting operators at a competitive disadvantage. Let’s break down the financial impact of relying on manual OSP design methods.

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Mar 3, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • Telecom technologies
  • Communications service providers

The case for a scalable physical network inventory

With the surge in fibre network rollouts, the demands on network management solutions are greater than ever. Yet, many telcos are still navigating the complexities of managing their operations without a solid, scalable physical network inventory (PNI) solution at the heart of their infrastructure.

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Feb 17, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network management
  • Telecom technologies
  • 3-GIS | Web
  • Fiber deployment

How fiber mapping software cuts costs – Part 2: Unlocking savings with 3-GIS

In Part 1 of this series, we explored how fiber mapping software can optimize both CapEx and OpEx by improving accuracy, streamlining operations, and reducing unnecessary expenses. Now, let’s take a closer look at how 3-GIS software and services specifically address these challenges—helping network operators accelerate deployment, minimize costs, and maximize returns.

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Feb 3, 2025 5:00:00 PM
  • Fiber network industry and markets
  • Telecom technologies
  • Fiber deployment

Why AI's data center boom demands smarter fiber planning

With the announcement of a $500 billion AI infrastructure initiative and Microsoft's planned $80 billion investment in data center expansions, the race to build America's AI infrastructure is accelerating rapidly.¹ AI isn't just another tech trend—it's becoming woven into the fabric of daily life, from the algorithms that personalize our streaming services to the chatbots handling customer inquiries. For telecom operators, this shift represents more than just an infrastructure challenge. As AI applications become essential to business operations, network reliability and speed directly impact their customers' abilities to compete in an AI-driven world.

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