The roll out of the National Broadband Plan to over 540,000 premises in rural Ireland is one of the largest fibre projects in the history of the Irish state, deploying high-speed broadband to every citizen and business in Ireland. Actavo is the only contractor involved in both design & survey, and build. The work is split across the whole of the Republic of Ireland into 227 Deployment Areas, as defined by Government Dept. of Communications Intervention areas and the existing infrastructure topography.
Scope of works
To survey and design 96,000 buildings over two years. This involves:
- Walk-out of the proposed preliminary design
- Survey of existing infrastructure for suitability of use and existing condition
- Securing wayleaves before finalising design
- Design of new network
- Quality checking the final design
Services delivered to date
- Mobilised a team of 50 people in 3 weeks
- 35,000 premises surveyed
- 77,000 poles surveyed
- 16,000 chambers inspected
Key successes
Rapidly deployed a survey team during Covid-19.
Solutions to challenges
Technical skill
Working in rural areas is a key challenge, due to a lack of connectivity. The software Actavo uses – ArcGIS – can be used offline. Once the team is back in coverage, they sync with the information stored on the cloud. Surveyors use Collector and Survey123 for ArcGIS to complete map-based surveys on tablets in the field and upload survey data back to the central project office in Dublin, allowing a simple syncing across all the work and phases.
Time and cost saving: Actavo’s team of FTTH Designers and GIS analysts developed accurate data models and scripts to automate and streamline every part of the engineering process. From route planning to field data collection, FTTH design to output all required deliverables including LLDs, SLDs, Splice Charts & BoM/BoQs – significantly reducing engineering durations and driving down costs for the client.
Health & safety: In the safe, controlled environment of Actavo’s dedicated Training Centre, surveyors train using mock-ups of the eir network, before they go to site.
Covid-19: The ArcGIS platform provides detailed information to monitor the status of surveys and provide reports about the overall productivity of the project. This remote access was particularly valuable during Covid-19, in order to monitor performance when not on site.
Benefits to client
Vast experience
Actavo has designed and engineered FTTH networks for municipalities, Tier 1 carriers, and communities around the world. Its field engineers are trained to identify design inefficiencies, constructability issues, and other obstructions that can delay or hinder deployment of the network.
Through experience of working on similar projects, Actavo has tailored specific design and survey teams, and a series of GIS based systems for the unique workflows and requirements for the client. Design and survey teams work collaboratively through data handoffs and compilation of the end deliverables. A singular project management team oversees the end-to-end operations and feeds information to the respective design, survey, QC and GIS departments as needed from the client or third parties.
USP
Actavo has the capability to undertake, both the survey and design along with the build contract, which achieves synergies for the benefit of the National Broadband Plan. Actavo has an unrivalled track record in fibre rollouts in Ireland, the UK and internationally, so understands the challenges of building in remote, rural environments. It is this experience and knowledge which has developed Actavo’s well-established, tried-and-tested processes and systems, and selection of the best key supply chain partners, to ensure that it can facilitate an on-time rollout.
Mobilisation expertise
Actavo is always ready to mobilise swiftly, with a core team of highly qualified resources. Actavo has an experienced management team, nationwide geographical presence, skilled and experienced staff, equipment and a network
of approved contractors and suppliers.
This is underpinned by an ISO-accredited Integrated Management System, and well-honed operational processes and procedures. At the core of all Actavo operations is a culture of risk management that ensures that both the client and Actavo are protected from project risks. This is a continuous process that runs throughout the project life cycle.