There are several ways to build out a fiber broadband infrastructure to homes and businesses. The traditional methods are to use existing utility poles or to trench new fiber conduit along rights of ways. However, other technologies are available to use other existing infrastructure. Pacific Grove, California entered into a deal with SiFi Networks to build fiber to every home and business using both overhead and sewer systems.
The system will involve both overhead infrastructure and SiFi’s patented “wastewater fiber technology” (WFT), which runs fiber cables through existing sewer networks.
In 2006, several professionals in Dayton (Bill Hill and Leigh Sandy) explored using the storm drainage infrastructure in downtown to build fiber optic broadband to businesses. A company out of Dublin, Columbus called Ca-Botics has a technology using small robots to attach fiber to the top of underground wastewater pipes. The idea was close to being implemented, but could not be completely worked out at the time.
This kind of innovation can overcome some of the barriers to building fiber broadband networks to homes and businesses in the Dayton region.
Leigh Sandy is the founder of Extra Mile Fiber and has been building and operating networks connected to the Internet since 1995.