10 Cost-Saving Ideas for Fiber Construction

Building and upgrading networks is a huge investment, but is required in order to stay competitive and offer the best services. Before a solution is decided upon and construction begins, take the following 10 steps to ensure your newly constructed asset provides the ROI you were seeking.

1.) Define what you want: Before designing a network, take time to document what you want. Understand the ROIs you want to see: speed, revenue, competitive advantage, capacity, customers.

2.) Establish priorities: Once you have determined what you want, prioritize the items. A prioritized list of wants will help determine the solution you really need.

3.) Segment must-haves vs. like-to-haves: Part of prioritizes the ROIs you want is determining what you must-have and what you would like to have to propel you business into the future. When it comes time to make tough decisions, you will have already made them.

4.) Evaluate your headend: Before you move to a fiber construction decision, it’s important to know precisely what you currently have and what your existing network is capable of.

• Conduct a performance test

• Do an as built rack profile and wiring diagram

You won't be sold a solution you don't need if you are sure of what you already have.

5.) Evaluate your outdoor network: Increased speed and bandwidth are placing new demands on outdoor network infrastructure. Before you invest in an upgrade or a new technology, be sure you know what your fiber network is capable of.

6.) Understand the impact of legacy technologies: Despite the rapid advance to new technology, the truth is many networks are a patchwork of legacy technologies and new technologies. Regardless, they must all work together seamlessly. Before you choose a solution, you need to understand the impact on your legacy technologies.

7.) Plan for the future: Even though no one has a crystal ball to look into the future, be sure you understand the options and choose a solution that will adapt to all of them if need be. Choose a solution that is guaranteed to provide easy upgrades in bandwidth and speed.

8.) Define project parameters: All projects are defined as a box. They have finite boundaries. A definite bottom and a definite ceiling. You need to look at your project in this way. What’s the bottom? The minimum? Then what’s the ceiling? The absolute maximum? It’s not always price that defines these.

9.) Demand a low-cost solution: The best solutions cost the least. Low-cost solutions don’t mean you have to be cheap, but require creative ideas that make the most out of existing assets and resources.

10.) Get what you want and need: When all of these steps are followed, you will be sure to get the network you desire- one that fulfills you three highest priorities: cost, performance and future upgrade flexibility.