Fibre-optic installation explained

The sight of orange and yellow mesh fencing cordoning off pavements is an increasingly common occurrence, and some residents have raised concerns about the obstruction the construction poses.

Giorgio Iovino, a representative from Vumatel, explained the general process of fibre installation after the company recently completed construction in Parkhurst. They are expecting to complete Parktown North and Greenside by mid-July.

Iovino stated that there were several stages in setting up fibre optic networks in neighbourhoods. He noted that permissions from the Johannesburg Roads Agency needed to be obtained first, thereafter residents are notified through town hall meetings, posted notices and door-to-door engagements.

“A suburb is divided into phases [sections or zones],” explained Iovino. He said the company gradually completes work from one zone to another through a designated suburb.

He emphasised that buried fibre, placed beneath pavements, sidewalks and driveways, made for better long-term infrastructure, despite its construction being disruptive.

Iovino also explained that the company constructs on one side of the road at a time to ensure that pedestrians still have a sidewalk to utilise, and that pavements, sidewalks and driveways from the boundary of a property constitute public spaces, therefore after permission is received from the roads agency, companies are allowed to trench and construct along them.

The first stage of construction involves trenching, laying ducts, putting in backfill and then hauling fibre through the duct. Once the fibre work has been laid, the team will then reinstate pavements and driveways.

Iovino said that the construction of fibre infrastructure, including reinstatement of the pavement, is estimated to take up to a month per construction site.

Throughout this process, he noted that managers frequently check for construction work that needs to be redone or corrected.

Before the final sign off, compaction testing is performed to ensure the reinstated pavements won’t sag and residents are also invited to send in a list of work outstanding.

Additionally, a representative from the roads agency will inspect the suburb, ensuring the completed construction is up to scratch.

Iovino also highlighted that Vumatel would be liable for maintaining the pavements and sidewalks they utilise for up to a year should the infrastructure falter.

Construction of fibre infrastructure for the Killarney and Riviera suburbs is expected to kick off in mid-May.