Actavo provided high-speed broadband, fibre optic broadband infrastructure throughout Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica.
Overall scope of works
Survey, design, FTTH and FTTB construction, Multi Dwelling Unit construction, traffic management, testing and commissioning, logistics and procurement and back office support.
Survey
The collection and recording of the following data in the field:
- Network Plant Infrastructure: manually posted on base maps and returned in the form of high-resolution jpeg/pdf
- Pole and pole hardware information – GPS locations collected via GPS devices and photographic references.
- Assessing and delineating between Single Dwelling Units (SDU) and Multi Dwelling Units (MDU) based on set criteria
- Delineating between home and commercial property
- Noting the scale and scope of gated communities
- Detailing addresses and associated mapping information to make construction easier.
- Data recorded on GIS platform and live maps
- Survey data QCd and uploaded to design platform
Design
The detailed network design provided all specifications, design drawings, costings and bills of materials required to proceed to the network build phase. The scope included:
- Fibre route design
- Managing DCR process on client’s behalf
- Production of detailed GIS compliant maps with aerial and underground plant information
- Production of detailed Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Detailed splicing matrices and Straight-Line Diagrams (SLD)
- Handover of .shp files on schedule.
- Design data compatible with proprietary
- provisioning systems
Services delivered – Trinidad & Tobago:
- 7,950km surveyed
- 225,000 homes and businesses passed
- Over 16,600 devices (Fibre Access Terminal, Splice Enclosures, Fibre Distribution Terminals, Multi Dwelling Units) spliced and installed for FTTH & FTTB
- Designed the FTTH network of 225,000 HP
- Handover of .shp files on schedule.
Services delivered – Barbados
- 1,600 km surveyed
- 1,016 km of network constructed
- 26,500 homes and businesses installed (FTTH & FTTB)
- 102,500 homes and businesses passed (FTTH & FTTB)
- Engineering designs completed for 97,000 homes passed
- Over 6515 devices (Fibre Access Terminal, Splice Enclosures, Fibre Distribution Terminals, Multi Dwelling Units) spliced and installed for FTTH & FTTB
- 400 personnel deployed
Services delivered – Jamaica
- The survey of 165,000 HP (homes passed)
- Surveyed 800 MDUs/MCUs
- Actavo designed the FTTH network of 142,000 HP
- Constructed >1500 km of overhead FTTH network
- Constructed 80 km of Backbone/FTTB network including new underground chambers, duct and risers.
- Spliced >10,000 devices and performed and recorded > 100,000 ILM & OTDR tests
- Deployed 20 splicing teams
Key successes
Planning
Actavo believes strongly in a pre-build survey. The verification of details contained in pre-build drawings ensured that potential problem areas were uncovered before the work began.
The survey allowed Actavo to:
- Identify all obvious landmarks where the route changed direction
- Verify HH / MH positions
- Record crossings with other services on height and positions on service poles.
Experience
Actavo has demonstrable experience in the planning, construction, and upgrade of multiple networks within the telecoms sector. From making good existing networks to new network way-leaving, activation and commissioning, its systems ensure the quality, safety and environmental management of all works is never compromised. This is demonstrated through Actavo’s accreditation to ISO and OHSAS standards and its continuous achievement of major safety and quality awards.
Solutions to challenges
Network mapping
The level of network service provided was the first of its kind in the Caribbean, which created challenges around mapping the network. Maps were often out of date which made surveying and accurate design difficult.
Actavo responded by having engineers on the ground, mapping as they went along.
Training & development
Actavo was responsible for providing all labour workforce, plant and equipment for the construction of the FTTH networks. Initially, there was a shortage of qualified personnel for the job. Actavo invested heavily in personnel and quality equipment, including extensive training and supervision.
Benefits to client
- Outstanding Service Level Agreement – performance average cable break resolution at 95%
- Fibre Optic Association (FOA) and Electronics Technicians Association (ETA) accredited operatives
- Extensive experience in Fibre-To-The-Home builds in other parts of the world
- The Caribbean governance team, made up of senior executives and industry leaders was established to successfully deliver the project.