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

2. 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

3. Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure

4. Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Competing Uses of Utility Infrastructure
QUESTIONS?