What to expect during the fiber construction process
The information below will inform you about the construction process for the fiber network we are building for the City Fiber Project.
The week of May 6, 2024, our construction partner, under the supervision of FMTC staff, will start work in our ‘24 fiber build areas in Red Oak and Clarinda.
There will be multiple construction crews in each community.
We will build out our fiber network in each build area so that everyone in the build area can get fiber Internet service when they sign up to do so.
The final connection to each home is called a ‘drop.’ You can get one for no cost if you sign up for Internet service from us. See Questions & Answers page for more details.
Main line construction will progress throughout spring, summer and fall and is currently scheduled to be complete at the end of September. Weather can always be a factor with construction projects and may alter timelines.
Installations will start this summer, but we will announce specifics after construction has been underway for month or so. Our expectation/intention is to install/connect everyone who signs up for service in the build area - by the end of December of '24.
The Steps of Fiber Construction
🚧 Network design - Prior to construction, our engineers planned the network which includes the routes the fiber will take, as well as the size of the fiber needed for both current and future needs of customers.
👷🏻♂️ Permits and Locates - Our staff works with local city leaders to get appropriate permits. At least two days before construction happens in an area, our team will request locates for all underground utilities. They will be marked by each utility company with colored flags and spray paint.
🚧 Construction of Main Line Fiber - The main line fiber is the core of the construction for the project. The main line fiber network that allows everyone in the build area to have fiber Internet - once a drop (the final piece of fiber that connects home to main line fiber) is put in place. Our construction contractors will use cable plows, directional boring equipment, and other digging equipment to place conduit, fiber cable, pedestals and vaults that will house the fiber network.
👷🏻♂️ Drop Installation, splicing & testing - This is the part of the process where we connect fiber from the main line to the home or business of a customer who signs up. After the drop is put in the ground, it needs to be spliced to the main line fiber AND connected at your home. Then our technical staff will test the fiber to assure data will pass across the network properly.
🚧 Installation at your home - Most often installations will be schedule on a separate day from when the drop is installed - to assure the testing can be done. During installation, FMTC technicians along with staff from our construction partner, will install the internet router you choose, get your WiFi network up and running, and help you install the FMTC Connect app - to allow you to control your WiFi network. They will make sure your service is working properly and before they leave your home.