Bringing you lightning-fast fiber internet – as fast as we possibly can
When you’re driving on I-80 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike, do you ever stop to wonder how these highways were first built? Imagine the effort and time it took to survey the land, plot the best route, lay hundreds of miles of asphalt, and build all the ramps connecting people to these amazing new interstate speedways.
Imagine the joy drivers must have felt cruising from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh in just a few hours instead of days!
Speed is Worth the Wait
At FastBridge Fiber, we’re big fans of the heroes who built our interstate highways. In fact, we’re taking similar steps to bring FastBridge Fiber internet to your home. Like building a highway, the process takes time, and there can be unexpected challenges along the way. But once we’re done, you’ll enjoy speed you’ve never experienced before.
So, what’s involved in building a brand new, lightning-fast fiber optic network?
Phase 1 – Groundwork
Just like highway planners, our engineers spend months researching the optimal pathway for running our fiber optic cable. We identify existing telecommunication carriers in the area where we can connect our network into the internet. This is sometimes called the internet backbone. We scan the landscape, looking for the most direct, cost-efficient route to your front door.
Inevitably, we encounter obstacles that must be overcome. Dense soil makes digging trenches harder, which increases construction time and cost. Cable can’t be laid in some places – like near railroad tracks or sewer lines. We also try hard to protect tree roots and minimize other impacts on the environment. Sometimes, we find the best route is overhead, on the utility poles, rather than underground, which involves even more considerations.
Phase 2 – Mapping
Finally, our network map is drawn. But before we can begin laying cable, we have to clear the path through paperwork. Building a new fiber optic network requires extensive permissions and permits, including getting access to utility easements.
If you’ve ever applied for a permit, you know the process isn’t always as fast as you hoped. Just laying a few miles of cable can involve negotiating with multiple government agencies, neighborhood associations, and local municipalities. We’ve learned that being organized and persistent is the key to cutting through bureaucratic red tape.
Phase 3 – Construction
Once we have all our paperwork approved, it’s time to start digging! You’ll know our construction teams are close when you see brightly colored flags and paint marking the utilities in your area. Be sure not to remove those markers – they let our workers know where to dig to avoid other underground utilities, such as power, water, sewer, and telecom lines.
Because fiber optic cable is relatively thin, our trenches don’t have to be very wide. If all goes well, our expert team can lay several miles of cable in very little time. But delays do happen. Supply chains can get interrupted. Construction is often noisy, so some jurisdictions limit the hours we can work. We may have to shut down in bad weather to protect equipment and the safety of our crews.
Aerial construction typically moves faster than laying cable underground, but it takes longer to obtain the utility permits. We may need to access rear easements, as well, to work on utility poles at the back of your lot.
We can’t always predict what might disrupt our operations. We do our best to keep working, because we know you’re counting on us to bring FastBridge Fiber internet to your home as soon as possible.
Phase 4 – Connection
This is the moment you’ve been waiting for! If you’ve signed up to be notified when service is available at your address, you’ll get an email letting you know your home is ready to be linked to our network. Once you sign up for service, we’ll work with you to schedule an installation appointment so that we can bring the fiber from the curb or nearby pole right into your home. Then you can enjoy amazingly-fast and reliable internet and the best customer service you’ve ever known.
Just as it took time to construct Pennsylvania’s highway system, it will take time (but not as much time!) to bring the FastBridge Fiber network to your home. But, once you experience the internet at lightning speed, you’ll know it was worth the wait.
If you have questions about our progress in bringing FastBridge Fiber to your home, please contact us anytime at info@fastbridgefiber.com.
