Understanding soil and ground conditions around fiber networks is important for network construction and maintenance. But for fiber network owners, the real value comes from connecting that information to the infrastructure they manage. Having relevant environmental data available alongside network assets, routes and other documentation means operators can make better informed decisions about potential risks in advance.
How ground issues affect fiber networks
Soil conditions and other issues relating to excavation work can all raise the risks for fiber networks, especially when they are unexpected. Below are just a few examples of challenges in the ground around a (planned) network that can cause all sorts of problems, delays and even damage and health risks.
Soil types:
- Sand and peat make trenches unstable and collapse without reinforcement.
- Soft ground lets pavement subside onto cables, causing damage and outages.
Geography:
- Slopes are prone to soil erosion that causes the ground to shift and slide.
- Area groundwater levels may be too high for the necessary trench depths.
- Monumental trees need to have their roots protected and undisturbed.
Man-made:
- Contaminated soil necessitates health precautions, extra permits and measures to avoid any spread.
- Important archeological finds on site can cause long delays and potentially require rerouting large parts of the network.
- In Europe especially, the risk of unexploded WWII bombs and other munitions can cause serious danger and delays.
Mitigation of all these risks requires smarter routing solutions during work planning. Some issues such as archeological finds or unexploded bombs can be unavoidable because it is hard to know they are there in advance. Fortunately, there are agencies and governmental organisations that can provide reports on soil conditions, contamination, and even mapping the likelihood of uncovering ancient settlements or unexploded munitions. Easy access to this type of information can sometimes make or break network planning, routing and maintenance.
The risk of disjointed environmental information
Problems with the ground to be dug will add extra time and cost factors, not to mention safety risks, to network construction and maintenance. Without coherent and up-to-date environmental information that is readily available for engineers, unexpected conditions out in the field can heavily delay the work and push costs well over budget.
It can also be a headache for the back office if extra inspections, reports, or permits are required. The risk of potential problems becomes even worse if the reports and measurements that are available have become outdated, incomplete, and/or dispersed over multiple systems.
If damage to the network does result, it may be difficult to determine the exact cause of trench failures, for example, when information about the surrounding soil conditions is incomplete. Resolving the matter of who is responsible for the damage, delays and extra costs can become unnecessarily complicated and contentious.
The solution: data discipline and complete traceability
The solution to these kinds of risks is complete and up-to-date information about the soil conditions and any potential ground excavation issues. And ensuring all of it is easily accessible long before the digging begins.
As traceability becomes more stringent due to client demands and regulatory requirements, this level of data discipline has also gone beyond just a nice-to-have. Extensive and comprehensive network information is now a key part of compliance and customer satisfaction. In terms of operational excellence, connecting relevant environmental information with corresponding network data can reduce the risk of delays by a substantial margin.
A network asset registration system that can include extensive data and attachment of permits, reports and other documentation is an effective way to manage the network efficiently and reduce environmental risks at the same time. It can even be just the thing to shift construction and maintenance from uncertainty, confusion and surprises out in the field to a reliably orchestrated plan.
