Telecom/Electric

Shenandoah Telecommunications Company to acquire Horizon Telecom for $385 million

Horizon’s unique 7,200 route-mile fiber network is the largest and most dense network across its footprint with over 9,000 on-net locations.

Verizon deploys over 200 miles of fiber in Delaware six months ahead of schedule

Nearly 2,000 homes and businesses in Camden, Dover, Smyrna, Bridgeville and Ocean View now have access to high-speed internet.

altafiber to bring fiber optic network to 65,000 new addresses across Ohio

altafiber has invested more than $1.5 billion into its fiber network to date, reaching approximately 730,000 addresses.

Eaton to increase North American power line undergrounding with additional $85 million investment

To increase supplies of its critical underground protective connectors, Eaton is creating approximately 300 new positions, expanding its manufacturing facility in Queretaro, as well as adding new injection presses and manufacturing equipment.

PG&E plan to bury power lines underground met with opposition due to high rates

The company's plan to bury 2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) of power lines is part of a broader goal of putting 10,000 miles (16,093 kilometers) underground over the next decade.

Manhattan Beach, Calif., resumes underground utility line project after two-year hiatus

(UI) — In a significant development, the underground utility line project in Manhattan Beach is set to continue, following its suspension in 2021. The city has stepped in to support the endeavor, which will involve burying power, cable, internet, and phone lines for homes and buildings in two northern Manhattan Beach neighborhoods.

Montana telecom completes $11 million, 380-mile fiber cable burial project

(UI) — Blackfoot Communications, headquartered in Missoula, has recently celebrated the successful culmination of a six-year endeavor, entailing an $11 million investment, to install more than 380 miles of cutting-edge fiber optic cable within the Flathead Reservation vicinity around St. Ignatius, according to Government Technology.

PG&E initiates underground power line placement in Magalia, Calif.

(UI) — In Magalia, a significant transformation is underway as power lines are being placed underground. While the current cost of burying power lines is approximately $3.75 million per mile, PG&E anticipates a reduction to about $2.8 million per mile by 2026. The utility company asserts that despite the expense, the advantages of underground lines in high fire-risk areas are abundant.

NV5 awarded $16 million to upgrade NYC sewer, electrical, gas infrastructure

NV5 Global, Inc. has been awarded a $16 million extension to an existing resident engineering inspection services contract by the New York City Department of Design and Construction.

Austin Energy underground powerline study granted approval in city council budget

(UI) — A significant portion—57%—of Austin Energy's power lines are already underground. However, the focus of this study is the remaining 5,000 miles of above-ground lines. The analysis aims to identify economically and environmentally viable areas for the transition.

Mandan and MDU partner to bury power lines along North Dakota highway

(UI) — Mandan officials are collaborating with Montana Dakota Utilities (MDU) to enhance North Dakota's highway infrastructure by burying nearby power lines and installing an underground storm sewer.

LUMA's $180 million underground transmission overhaul receives Puerto Rico’s approval

(UI) — LUMA's $180 million project proposal intends to repair and harden important underground transmission system components whose prospective breakdowns might jeopardize the system's dependability and resilience.

NV5 awarded $11 million to support electrical utility distribution

In the Pacific Northwest, NV5 was selected for $9.4 million in utility hardening and grid connectivity projects. NV5 will provide owner’s engineering and utility design services for the underground conversion of approximately 34 miles of power lines.

OFS launches fiber solutions program to install broadband across the country

Manufacturing facilities in Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, and New Jersey enable OFS to support the goals of both the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Build America Buy America Act.

PG&E gains ground on undergrounding 10,000 miles of power lines

(UI) — The largest project in the country to bury electricity lines underground is being carried out by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and it is on target to finish this year. The utility intends to bury 10,000 miles of wires, and work on this project is progressing mile by mile and county by county.

Ohio to pursue $15 million in underground electric system upgrades in Cuyahoga County

The Illuminating Company maintains 11,000 miles of underground wire across the region. This year, nearly 1.5 miles of older, uncoated underground lines in Pepper Pike will be replaced with new power lines coated in a thick shell to make them more durable against elements like dirt, rocks, lightning and water.

Zayo to expand fiber network infrastructure across the nation

Zayo Group Holdings, Inc. announced a series of expansions to its independent fiber network infrastructure, including new long-haul dark fiber routes, increased fiber capacity for existing routes, additional 400 Gbps (400G)-enabled routes and new IP points of presence (PoPs).

Broadband Forum, Fiber Broadband Association partner to advance fiber broadband capabilities

With a common focus on developing and educating the broadband industry on best practices, the agreement will combine the Fiber Broadband Association’s strong background and expertise in fiber advocacy, research, education, and member and community resources with Broadband Forum’s technical strengths in best practices, interoperability, certification, and standards.

Recent underground power line explosions in San Francisco raise concerns, safety assurances remain

(UI) — A San Francisco neighborhood has experienced significant problems as a result of an underground explosion and subsequent fire for at least the second time in less than three months.

Comtech Telecommunications wins $30 million contract to enhance US Army tactical communications

(UI) — Comtech Telecommunications Corp. has been awarded a $30 million contract from Fairwinds Technologies LLC to provide Comtech’s next-generation Troposcatter Family of Systems (FOS) in support of U.S. Army tactical communications.

Lead-covered telecommunication cables contaminating popular areas, investigation finds

WSJ tested 130 underwater cable sites for the presence of lead. Of the sampled tests, over 48 had lead contamination “beyond levels determined safe by the EPA.”

PG&E plans to move power lines underground along Highway 89 in California

(UI) — In the upcoming months, the Plumas County power lines on Highway 89 between Moccasin and Indian Falls will be relocated underground by the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E).

James Q. Crowe, fiber optic, telecommunications pioneer dies at 74

Crowe Company announced that James Q. Crowe, a technology and telecommunications visionary who spearheaded the fiber optic telecommunications revolution, died July 2nd in Paradise Valley, Arizona, after a battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

$20.4 million fiber-broadband project to benefit over 8,000 customers in Lumpkin County, Ga.

The combined venture will enable Kinetic to lay more than 450 miles of optical fiber cable to bring high-speed internet to residences, businesses and schools.

Consumers Energy proposes new buried power line program to strengthen Michigan grid

The pilot will study real-world resiliency improvements that result from burying power lines, and how those improvements compare with other approaches to improving electric service for nearly 2 million Michigan homes and businesses.

Wellington City Council adopts digital map for underground infrastructure management

(UI) — The Wellington Underground Asset Map, backed by a $4 million investment, aims to revolutionize the installation and maintenance of buried infrastructure, including telecommunications cables, gas pipes, and other vital services.

Utility Broadband Alliance reaches 100-member milestone

CenterPoint Energy, Duke Energy and Lower Colorado River Authority are the newest utility members to join the utility-led Alliance, which incorporated in 2021 and seeks to help accelerate utilities’ journey toward a more secure, resilient and future-proof grid.

Penelec begins upgrading underground electrical network in Cambria County, Pa.

The work includes installing new underground transformers and protective devices designed to rapidly detect and isolate damage when problems occur and reroute electricity to nearby cables to prevent or shorten the duration of power interruptions.

Biden administration pledges nationwide internet access by 2030 using domestically-made cables

Biden said more than 35,000 projects are already funded or underway to lay cable that provides internet access. Some of those are from $25 billion in initial funding as part of the “American Rescue Plan.”

Biden-Harris administration awards $930 million for middle-mile infrastructure

(UC) — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration has announced over $930 million to expand middle mile high-speed Internet infrastructure across 35 states and Puerto Rico.