Engineering Phase What to Expect
Phase 1: Engineering: (Pink on the map). The Acts & Robin areas are currently in this phase.
Members located in these areas can expect to receive fiber service later this year. The Starlight area is currently in this phase. Due to a lack of county “right of way” we are still working through easement issues and the pole “make ready” process with utilities located in the Starlight area. Easement refusals from Starlight residents have complicated the project significantly. This process has taken far longer than we anticipated, but we are making steady progress. We expect Starlight construction to begin during the late fall or early winter of 2021, however please understand we are at the mercy of both Starlight residents (for easements) and the electric utilities to finish the pole “make ready” process.
Phase 2: Ground Construction – (Red on the map) There are currently no areas in this phase.
More Information About The Construction Phase:
Construction consists of burying mainline conduit by either plowing it under the ground or using horizontal boring equipment. Large cement vaults (called “hand holes”) are also put into place. In this phase buried fiber drops are run from the street to your home or business. Our crews will mount a fiber box to the side of your building during this phase. You may see very large machinery, crews, and trailers along the road (or working in your yard) during this phase. You may see flags, or various colored markings (usually blue, red, or orange) spray painted on the ground. These identify underground utilities that we will avoid. Please do not cover these up! You may see orange ducts, cement vaults, or buried fiber loops alongside the road or in your yard. This is a normal part of the construction process and will be cleaned up by the end of the phase. If something has changed since we performed your site survey (i.e. you have new underground facilities, or want to change the location of your fiber or mounting box), please contact us immediately by calling 812-967-3171 (M-F 8:30a – 4:30p). After the construction process we typically clean up the area which includes smoothing, seeding, and straw. Please be patient during this period, as clean-up occurs only after all of the ground construction has been completed. Working Hours: Our crews and subcontractors generally don’t start work before 8am, and typically work until twilight. If you would like to verify the authenticity of our crews, or if you have any other concerns please contact our main office at 812-967-3171.
Phase 3: Fiber Jetting – (Purple on the map) There are currently no areas in this phase.
More Information About The Fiber Jetting Phase:
Jetting fiber consists of pushing fiber through our buried conduit with high-pressure air. Crews may also pull the fibers through manually. You may see crews and trailers loaded with large compressors and jetting equipment along the road during this phase.
Phase 4: Fiber Splicing – (Brown on the map) There are currently no areas in this phase.
More Information About The Splicing Phase:
Once the fiber has been jetted through the conduit our splicers connect them all together through the splicing process. Usually, large trailers with splicing gear are brought in to do the job. Large loops of fiber may be located in and around our cement ground vaults as we undertake this tedious process. You may see crews, with multiple trailers and pieces of equipment along the road during this phase.
Phase 5: Fiber Testing – (Orange on the map) The Gobbler Knob area is currently in this phase.
More Information About The Testing Phase:
We test each fiber strand as one of the final steps in the process before beginning your home installation. After all, we want you to receive the very best service possible! If you live in one of these areas, expect home installations to begin approximately in the next 30-60 days. You may see crews and trailers along the road, and near our remotes during this phase.
Final Phase: Home Installations Ready – (Blue on the map) The Pine Hill & Nelson areas are currently in this phase.
More Information About The Home Installation Phase:
If you are a current customer and live in one of these areas we are in the process of setting up appointments by phone (we will call you). If you are not a current customer and live in one of these areas, please contact us at 812-967-3171 (M-F 8:30a – 4:30p) to set up an appointment to order service.
Additional Information
This phase starts with an initial blueprint. Our engineers then “drive out” the area and plot the route for an upcoming build. The phase finishes up with customer contact, site survey, right of way (easements), and pole preparation (if applicable). During this phase, our customer contact team will call (or visit you in person) to perform a site survey of your yard and home. During this survey we will make note of known underground facilities (water lines, electric line, buried dog fences, etc). The location of the fiber box mounting point on your home will be decided, and we will answer any questions you may have.
Map 1 shows the Telemedia serving area. Please see the map key for details.
Please note that weather, availability of contract labor, Covid 19, and other factors could influence the build timeline, as well as service availability schedule.
Map 2 shows the area that will be covered in the Starlight build. Once again, weather, availability of contract labor, Covid 19, and other factors could influence the build timeline as well as service availability schedule.
