Telecom/Electric
PG&E gains ground on undergrounding 10,000 miles of power lines
(UI) — The largest project in the country to bury electricity lines underground is being carried out by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and it is on target to finish this year. The utility intends to bury 10,000 miles of wires, and work on this project is progressing mile by mile and county by county.
Ohio to pursue $15 million in underground electric system upgrades in Cuyahoga County
The Illuminating Company maintains 11,000 miles of underground wire across the region. This year, nearly 1.5 miles of older, uncoated underground lines in Pepper Pike will be replaced with new power lines coated in a thick shell to make them more durable against elements like dirt, rocks, lightning and water.
Zayo to expand fiber network infrastructure across the nation
Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. announced a series of expansions to its independent fiber network infrastructure, including new long-haul dark fiber routes, increased fiber capacity for existing routes, additional 400 Gbps (400G)-enabled routes and new IP points of presence (PoPs).
Broadband Forum, Fiber Broadband Association partner to advance fiber broadband capabilities
With a common focus on developing and educating the broadband industry on best practices, the agreement will combine the Fiber Broadband Association’s strong background and expertise in fiber advocacy, research, education, and member and community resources with Broadband Forum’s technical strengths in best practices, interoperability, certification, and standards.
Recent underground power line explosions in San Francisco raise concerns, safety assurances remain
(UI) — A San Francisco neighborhood has experienced significant problems as a result of an underground explosion and subsequent fire for at least the second time in less than three months.
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.
Lead-covered telecommunication cables contaminating popular areas, investigation finds
WSJ tested 130 underwater cable sites for the presence of lead. Of the sampled tests, over 48 had lead contamination “beyond levels determined safe by the EPA.”
PG&E plans to move power lines underground along Highway 89 in California
(UI) — In the upcoming months, the Plumas County power lines on Highway 89 between Moccasin and Indian Falls will be relocated underground by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).
James Q. Crowe, fiber optic, telecommunications pioneer dies at 74
Crowe Company announced that James Q. Crowe, a technology and telecommunications visionary who spearheaded the fiber optic telecommunications revolution, died July 2nd in Paradise Valley, Arizona, after a battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
$20.4 million fiber-broadband project to benefit over 8,000 customers in Lumpkin County, Ga.
The combined venture will enable Kinetic to lay more than 450 miles of optical fiber cable to bring high-speed internet to residences, businesses and schools.
Consumers Energy proposes new buried power line program to strengthen Michigan grid
The pilot will study real-world resiliency improvements that result from burying power lines, and how those improvements compare with other approaches to improving electric service for nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses.
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.
Utility Broadband Alliance reaches 100-member milestone
CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy and Lower Colorado River Authority are the newest utility members to join the utility-led Alliance, which incorporated in 2021 and seeks to help accelerate utilities’ journey toward a more secure, resilient and future-proof grid.
Penelec begins upgrading underground electrical network in Cambria County, Pa.
The work includes installing new underground transformers and protective devices designed to rapidly detect and isolate damage when problems occur and reroute electricity to nearby cables to prevent or shorten the duration of power interruptions.
Biden administration pledges nationwide internet access by 2030 using domestically-made cables
Biden said more than 35,000 projects are already funded or underway to lay cable that provides internet access. Some of those are from $25 billion in initial funding as part of the “American Rescue Plan.”
Biden-Harris administration awards $930 million for middle-mile infrastructure
(UC) — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has announced over $930 million to expand middle mile high-speed Internet infrastructure across 35 states and Puerto Rico.
ComEd awarded $14.5 million federal grant to deploy fiber optic infrastructure in underserved Chicago communities
The Middle Mile Grant will leverage ComEd’s planned infrastructure investment to affordably bring new middle-mile infrastructure into 24 communities in need, representing 440,000 households in communities like North Lawndale, Englewood, Woodlawn and South Shore.
Lumos invests over $50 million in North Carolina fiber optic expansion project
"One of our strategic actions is to increase the availability of high-speed broadband throughout the County – this investment allows us to do just that," said Desiree Patrick, Harnett County Community Relations Director.
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.
Fermaca Networks launches “first of its kind” fiber optic route from West Texas to Central Mexico
“This $175 million investment is the first phase of Fermaca Networks’ Mexico network expansion. It marks the first phase of bringing much sought Long Distance Dark Fiber availability between the US and Mexico," said Edgar Mosti, Chief Revenue Officer of Fermaca Networks.
Peak Utility undergoes corporate realignment to improve utility, telecom services
As part of Peak’s growth strategy, the new structure will align the company’s businesses by region to better meet client needs and provide its customers with comprehensive utility and telecommunications services.
Ohio city invests $7 million in fiber optic network
Ohio-based Omni Fiber and the City of Wilmington have partnered to bring broadband access to the majority of the city with a new state-of-the art 100% fiber network.
Canada approves largest telecommunications deal in country’s history with Rogers-Shaw merger
The largest telecommunications deal in Canadian history will go forward after Rogers Communications Inc.’s $19 billion takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. received approval from Ottawa.
Bandwidth IG adds third dark fiber route to San Francisco network
Approximately 300 MW of additional data center capacity is under development in the Silicon Valley market, according to Cushman & Wakefield. The growth demonstrates the immense need for reliable infrastructure to connect compute locations, cloud providers, and network operators across the market.
CommScope to increase U.S. fiber optic cable production to connect underserved communities
CommScope’s expansion will introduce a new HeliARC fiber optic cable, specifically designed for the needs of rural deployments while investing $47 million CapEx in the U.S. toward expanding fiber optic cable production focused on rural applications.
NextEra Energy subsidiary FPL starts moving power underground in Coral Gables, Fla.
(UI) — More than 100 city officials and employees of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) gathered in a neighborhood in Coral Gables, Fla., to officially start a long-awaited project: the undergrounding of electricity lines in the area as part of FPL's Storm Safe Underground Program.
Empire Access to expand fiber optic network in Pennsylvania
This expansion comes as Empire Access recently announced plans to build fiber in nearby Pennsylvania communities, Williamsport and Scranton.
Luna Innovations wins fiber optic monitoring system contract for major U.S. clean energy project
Luna’s technology will provide temperature, depth of burial, and acoustic monitoring for the power cables that form the backbone of the system. The monitoring services will help ensure safe, efficient delivery of renewable, reliable, low-cost power over the area’s 300-mile transmission line.
Alabama governor approves plan for $660 million in funding for water, sewer, broadband upgrades
Alabama lawmakers gave final approval on March 16 to a spending plan to use $1 billion in federal coronavirus funds largely on a mix of water and sewer infrastructure, broadband expansion and reimbursements to health care providers hit financially by the pandemic.
Zipfly Fiber upgrades copper infrastructure to fiber optic network across Washington, Oregon
With the addition of these markets, Ziply Fiber has announced new fiber construction projects in more than 90 cities and towns across the Northwest since it began its extensive fiber expansion efforts in the summer of 2020.
- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico