Fiber Broadband Association research highlights importance of streamlining underground locate process amid workforce dilemma

(UI) – The Fiber Broadband Association’s (FBA) Deployment Specialists Committee published a new white paper on “Accelerating Timeliness of Utility Locates.” Underground locates are a public safety requirement and a growing concern as network operators look to expand fiber broadband services into new markets and neighborhoods.

Operators must take necessary precautions to prevent damage to utilities, ensure utility services remain intact, and prevent serious injury to telecommunications installation teams and residents.

Sponsored by Sada McGee from Mears Broadband, and Erik Phillips from UtiliQuest, this white paper was written to share the latest research from affiliated organizations such as the Common Ground Alliance, as well as share best practice recommendations to optimize the timeliness of locating underground utilities, encompassing safety, health, and environmental considerations that are applicable across all construction facilities, worksites, and personnel.

Many potential issues that lead to underground locate delays can impact network deployment and an operator’s ability to meet deadlines associated with funding grants.

Available labor is a large factor, causing delays and problems at several levels. This issue is only compounded by the fact that good locators are hard to find and that it takes anywhere from three to six months to train a locator.

Efforts will need to be made to attract new employees to the locating industry. For example, adjacent programs such as FBA’s Optical Telecom Installer Certification (OpTIC Path™) program trains fiber optic technicians—another critical role for the broadband industry—that are ready to enter the workforce upon graduation.

Until more of these programs are available for locators, the current lack of underground locate technicians and the need to ramp up locates means installs may be delayed and tickets backlog will continue to pile up.

To help the industry navigate the issue and accelerate the locate process, the white paper details recommendations, including:

Pre-ticket call-in preparation

• Contact 811. Familiarize yourself with state-specific 811 laws and regulations, recognizing variations in ticket types, completion requirements, and tolerance zones, etc.
• Engage with all stakeholders including state 811 centers, local damage prevention councils, HOAs, etc., in the vicinity, sharing project scope, blueprints, and other relevant materials in advance to facilitate preparation.
• Secure all necessary permits before initiating a locate request to avoid delays and potential second requests.
• White line proposed installation paths to minimize unnecessary locating time, providing a visual guide for locators.
• Limit the locate area to the required excavation zone, avoiding unnecessary extensions.

Ticket call-in process

• Adhere to state 811 laws and regulations when initiating locate requests.
• Ensure the accuracy of contact information, appointing knowledgeable personnel as primary contacts for effective communication.
• Plan on delays due to less-than-optimal locate labor resources being a serious issue as it relates to the time it takes to respond to locate tickets.

During the Locate Process and Construction

• Pothole to visually identify utilities that are in the vicinity of the installation.
• Maintain regular communication with stakeholders, organizing periodic meetings to ensure alignment.
• Notify the homeowner of the upcoming project that outlines the various steps in the process for the sake of information. This will help engender community support.
• Implement proper damage prevention measures to mitigate utility damage, safeguarding project timelines and reputation.
• Pay special attention to any “cleared” utility locates shortly after the ticket request was made because the probability is high that it was cleared in error.

“The reality of fiber broadband deployment today includes difficult decisions around installing fiber underground, whether all affected utilities have performed locates within the state-assigned timeframe or not. Each state has different laws that govern installers when they decide to move forward without underground utilities being located and marked,” said Brendan O’Boyle, FBA Deployment Specialists Committee Chair, and PLP National Sales Manager-Communications Markets.

“Underground line construction crews assume all responsibility when they proceed but are put into impossible situations to decide to move forward to stay within the time constraint required to complete the project. Understanding how to work with local permitting departments, HOAs, and other groups to ensure the locate process is smooth, fast, and efficient will be a key factor as operators look to move forward.”

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