Google Fiber Deployment Project Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure in Austin, Texas Susan Groce, Austin Energy Electric Service Delivery April 27, 2016

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Austin Energy 8th largest publically-owned electric utility Approximately 165,000 electric poles Pole Attachments Approximately 365,000 existing 3rd party pole attachments Applications for over 30,000 new pole attachments filed in 2015 Many poles are fully subscribed Over 30 entities have wireline attachments on Austin Energy poles Communications companies School districts Other governmental entities

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Google Deployment of superfast 1-gigabit internet service (up to 100 times faster than average internet speed) Pole License Agreement with Austin Energy effective April 4, 2013 “Major Installation” projected to attach to more than 25% of Austin Energy’s poles within 5 years In 2014, Google announced exploration of expansion into 34 more Cities

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure “We’ve been making big gains, but it’s a massive, complex infrastructure project,” said Parisa Fatehi-Weeks, Google Fiber’s community impact manager. “Austin’s Google Fiber Rollout Advancing Despite Obstacles” Austin American-Statesman February 8, 2016

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Mark Strama, head of Google Fiber operations in Austin, said the Internet giant is always looking for ways to do things faster and in a less disruptive manner. “Google Fiber is building one of the biggest and most complex infrastructure projects in Austin’s history,” Strama said. “While many large-scale infrastructure projects take decades to complete, we’re building thousands of miles of fiber throughout the city in a matter of years.” “We know there is a lot enthusiasm for superfast Internet in Austin, so we’re working to connect Austinites as quickly as we can,” Strama added. “Austin’s Google Fiber Rollout Advancing Despite Obstacles” Austin American-Statesman February 8, 2016

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Lessons Learned – Communications and Specifications Communicate and require compliance with utility’s safety requirements Communicate and require compliance with utility’s customer communication protocols Have pole and attachment specifications in good order Identify project hut and backbone locations up front

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Lessons Learned – Project Schedule Expect ambitious project schedule projections, then expect project to: Take longer Be complicated Require pole replacements and power make-ready Underground infrastructure construction will impact citizens and other utilities Require significant oversight

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Lessons Learned – Work Management & QA/QC Backbone should be built first Limit applications areas and number of open applications Hold firm on application completion deadline Require initial zones to be completed before entering new zones Put an experienced utility worker in charge of reviewing make-ready work Field visit every pole Question and verify measurements of communication company’s contractors

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure Other major infrastructure projects AT&T, Time Warner, and Grande Communications have also stepped up expansion plans for ultra-fast Internet service Increased pressure from communication companies to allow wireless infrastructure in the right of way There are significant public welfare and safety implications of increased installation and maintenance of communications infrastructure in right of way

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure “Contractors will perform only as well as you expect and demand.” Ray Henning Austin Energy Line Clearance Superintendent “Communication companies must act like a utility in order to successfully execute a project.” “Control what you can control.” “In the end, it’s your utility and disgruntled customers will hold you responsible for disruptions.” Charlie Peace Austin Energy Distribution Construction Superintendent

Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure QUESTIONS?