In 2015, ESB and Vodafone formed a joint venture company, SIRO, to design and build an optical fibre network to homes in 50 towns across Ireland. The network has been built on existing ESB overhead and underground infrastructure.
Scope of works
Survey and design, sub ducting, cable installation, splicing and testing and commissioning of the network in each town. The FTTH network consists of a metro (aggregation) network layer and an access network layer (the PON). Design and build PoP cabin locations within existing ESB substations. Liaise with local councils and manage road open licences on the MRL system. Liaise with ESB to plan outages to facilitate the works on overhead networks.
Services delivered
- Creation of the LLD for passive optical network (PON)
- Design and build PoP cabins
- Programme ESB network outages
- Installation of sub-duct and fibre optic cable within energised MV and LV underground electrical networks
- Installation/stringing of fibre optic cable on MV and LV overhead electrical network
- Installation of all OH/UG field PON equipment, splice enclosures, ODPs and splitter units
- Design and build internal cabling solutions for large MDU buildings
- Splicing and testing of network
- 79,000 homes passed
Key successes
Actavo delivered on time and in budget for the client. Even during Covid-19 Actavo continued to operate as part of the country’s ‘essential workers’ and delivered 13,000 homes during the pandemic.
Solutions to challenges
Covid-19
In response to the unprecedented health crisis of Covid-19, the Actavo team came up with safety measures within two days of lockdown. As the project was at the Splicing and Testing phase, operatives were able to work alone. Masks and hand sanitiser were provided, and the 2-metre rule imposed.
Innovation
Getting permission to build network across railway tracks is challenging. In response to this, Actavo developed a uniform application for every crossing to streamline the process. This list of requirements was adopted by the client for its dealings with other contractors.
Innovation
To close out licences on a project, it is necessary to view records of historical works which can be time consuming on a long-term project. Over the course of the project, Actavo developed software for dealing with vast quantities of information, streamlining the process, increasing efficiency and productivity.
Adaptability
Building network across motorways is challenging. Major road traffic management is involved, including dealing with TFI, coordinating motorway crossings and working at night to reduce traffic disruption, which requires extra health and safety steps.
Benefits to client
- Ability to build large quantities of homes in a timely fashion.
- Experience and expertise in various workstreams of the project.
- High standard of quality maintained throughout.
- Proactive in dealing with any defects.
“Actavo has been working with Siro since 2015 as a key partner in the design and build of an underground Fibre To The Home (FTTH) network in towns across Ireland. To date, Actavo has rolled out FTTH for Siro in several towns, including Dundalk, Cavan, Mullingar, Newbridge, Naas, Kildare Town, Athy and Navan. Actavo is also Siro’s sole partner for the delivery of nationwide customer connection and in-home activation services on behalf of the telecom retailers who are Siro’s clients.
In delivering all these services, Actavo has performed well in terms of quality, safety, delivery against programme and customer service. Actavo has good project management capability and demonstrates flexibility to mobilise rapidly in diverse locations.”
John Keaney,
Chief Executive Officer, SIRO.