Essentials for Utility Fiber Optics Deployment

August 7, 2024 | Online :: Central Time

0824-fiber-optic-deployment

Electric utilities continue to migrate to fiber optic networks to improve internal functions, implement smart gird applications, and deploy much needed broadband access to the communities they serve. The Essentials for Fiber Optics Deployment course will provide an overview of the current environment for utility telecommunications, a primer on fiber optic technology, and highlight the challenges and opportunities for utilities currently deploying or considering the deployment of fiber optic networks such as the following:

• Utility telecommunications regulatory standards
• New business processes like planning and execution strategies
• Workforce and supply chain challenges

Fiber optic telecommunication networks’ speed, bandwidth, and low latency can also be optimized to create efficiencies and opportunities for their stakeholders, shareholders, and communities. Join the Essentials for Fiber Optics Deployment course to learn more.

Learning outcomes

• Review the physical characteristics, operating technology and uses of fiber optic cables
• Analyze key trends in telecommunications in the U.S. market and their impact on utilities
• Review the current regulatory environment and identify challenges and opportunities
• Assess different fiberoptic architectures strengths and limitations
• Identify how fiber optics can meet a utility’s internal communication needs for SCADA, AMI, DA and other critical infrastructure
• Discuss different fiber optic construction methods, tactics and techniques
• Review how the deploying fiber optics for internal use can be scaled for residential and commercial use
• Identify strategies and tactics to promote the business plan internally and with regulators
• Identify opportunities for new revenue streams for utility- or partner-owned fiber optics
• Design financing strategies to drive successful implementation for electric utility fiber optics networks
• Engage and enhance partnerships among government entities and vendors
• Design to accelerate deployment of electric utility fiber optics networks
• Discuss best practices for maintaining and managing a reliable fiber network

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 : Central Time

Fiber Optics Deployment Overview

Fiber-optic cables deliver high speed, high-capacity, low latency telecommunications services and are used for many applications. Understanding what makes fiber optic a superior transmission medium and how it came to be a dominant technology for modern telecommunications requirements.

• Understand the physical characteristics, operating technology and uses of fiber optic cables
• Analyze key trends in telecommunications in the U.S. market and their impact on utilities
• Assess different fiber optic architectures strengths and limitations

Utility Telecommunication Regulations

The utility and telecommunications regulatory landscape is constantly changing. New regulations driven by technology and increased funding mechanisms from federal and state initiatives are creating opportunities for utilities to deploy broadband for utility applications and community broadband.  This portion of the lesson will review major public policies affecting fiber optic deployment.

• Federal Regulations
• State Regulations
• Industry Codes

 15 Minute Morning Break

Building a Fiber Optic Network

Before attempting to develop a business case and selling your idea to internal stakeholders, and regulators and the community you serve you should know what you are getting into. This section covers the different fiber architectures, some of the requirements to design and construct the network and how building a fiber optic network can serve multiple purposes for a utility and its stakeholders.

• Assess different fiber optic architectures strengths and limitations
• Identify how fiber optics can meet a utility’s internal communication needs for SCADA, AMI, and other critical infrastructure
• Understand different fiber optic construction methods, tactics and techniques
• Review how deploying fiber optics for internal use can be scaled for residential and commercial use

Financing and Funding a Fiber Optics Deployment

Electric utilities constructing a fiber network in today’s environment will likely have many funding and financing options. Grants, loans and new rate case options provide opportunities for any utility to construct and operate a fiber optic network. This part of the lesson provides an overview of current funding opportunities and explores the rate case process.

• Overview of Federal funding options
• Rate case strategies
• Financing tactics for utility operations, smart grid and broadband

Lunch Break

Modernizing the Grid and Serving the Community: The Value of Building Next-Generation Fiber Broadband Architecture into Today’s Networks

Fiber network planners and operators need to make the right investment decisions in architectural solutions that can best “future-proof” their network to meet the demands of their communities and subscribers for many years to come.

• SCADA
• Distribution Automation
• Broadband

 15 Minute Afternoon Break

Unified Approach at Offering Fiber Broadband

Discuss the benefits of a unified approach and the logistics of making it happen. From the office to the field, it is possible to share information between organizations to create the best experience for your customers and meet revenue goals.

• Understanding your stakeholders
• Selling the concept to your team
• Getting buy-in from the community
• Partnerships and Joint Ventures

Concept Overview: Questions and Answers

4:00 p.m. :: Course Adjourns

Ron Bilodeau, Director Strategic Solutions – Technical Services, Osmose

Ron has more than 35 years of experience in both telecommunications construction and electric utility operations management. Ron earned an MBA and BA in Communications and Management from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, a Graduate Certificate in Renewable Energy from the University of Nevada Reno and is a Certified Project Management Professional. In his current role, he provides solutions and recommendations to the utility and broadband industries on a wide-ranging scope of requirements including joint use, broadband buildout, and wireless attachment and colocation programs and processes.

We will be using Microsoft Teams to facilitate your participation in the upcoming event. You do not need to have an existing Teams account in order to participate in the broadcast – the course will play in your browser and you will have the option of using a microphone to speak with the room and ask questions, or type any questions in via the chat window and our on-site representative will relay your question to the instructor.

• Microsoft recommends downloading and installing the Teams app if possible. You may also use the Edge browser or Chrome.
• You will receive a separate email with a unique link to a personalized landing page which will include links to join all sessions of this event.
• If you are using a microphone, please ensure that it is muted until such time as you need to ask a question.
• The remote meeting connection will be open approximately 30 minutes before the start of the course. We encourage you to connect as early as possible in case you experience any unforeseen problems.

Please Note: This event is being conducted entirely online. All attendees will connect and attend from their computer, one connection per purchase. For details please see our FAQ

If you are unable to attend at the scheduled date and time, we make recordings available to all attendees for 7 days after the event

REGISTER NOW FOR THIS EVENT:

Essentials for Utility Fiber Optics Deployment

August 7, 2024 | Online

Your registration may be transferred to a member of your organization up to 24 hours in advance of the event. Cancellations must be received on or before July 05, 2024 in order to be refunded and will be subject to a US $195.00 processing fee per registrant. No refunds will be made after this date. Cancellations received after this date will create a credit of the tuition (less processing fee) good toward any other EUCI event. This credit will be good for six months from the cancellation date. In the event of non-attendance, all registration fees will be forfeited. In case of conference cancellation, EUCIs liability is limited to refund of the event registration fee only. For more information regarding administrative policies, such as complaints and refunds, please contact our offices at 303-770-8800

EUCI is accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard. IACET is recognized internationally as a standard development organization and accrediting body that promotes quality of continuing education and training.

EUCI is authorized by IACET to offer 0.6 CEUs for this event.

Requirements for Successful Completion of Program

Participants must log in each day, be in attendance for the entirety of the course

Instructional Methods

Power Point presentations and open discussion will be used in this course.

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Upon successful completion of this event, program participants interested in receiving CPE credits will receive a certificate of completion.

Course CPE Credits: 7.0
There is no prerequisite for this Course.
Program field of study: Specialized Knowledge
Program Level: Basic
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Advanced Preparation: None

EUCI is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its web site: www.nasbaregistry.org