We do our best to make constructing the Ting fiber network as quick and clean as possible.

We use traditional methods for our fiber network construction, including micro trenching. Micro trenching is quicker, less disruptive, and equally reliable as the other methods. We encourage everyone to understand micro trenching, how it works, and why it's the best path forward.

Construction expectations

Here's what you can expect when we build the fiber network in your neighborhood.

• Construction information is sent out to neighborhoods, typically a letter or postcard detailing the upcoming work we are planning for the area.
• A utility marking service will mark underground utilities (water, gas, electric) with paint or locate flags in and near the public right-of-way.
• We build in the public right-of-way wherever possible. Construction zones will be marked by temporary no parking signage and include the exact timing for construction. We work hard to minimize the impact, but our construction may temporarily impact foot and road traffic while our teams work.
• We install access hatches flush to the ground in the city-owned right-of-way for every home passed. The hatches branch fiber from the main fiber line to connect individual homes.
• We install two different types of access panels. Every home receives a small 10 by 13-inch "toby box." For every 20 homes, we place a larger handhole. These handholes look like the access hatch you might find in a lawn irrigation system, with a lid that sits flush with the ground.

An example of a "handhole." Handholes are covered with a solid green top that sits flush with the ground.

We place toby boxes and handholes in the city right of way (ROW). The ROW can extend 2-4 feet from the sidewalk into the grass. We try to minimize construction's impact and ensure people know what's happening before construction begins. Here are a few other things to be aware of:

• There may be some dust and noise.
• There may be handhole or above-ground equipment installations on parkways.
• We only dig on your property if you request to bring fiber from the street to your home.

Construction methods

We have two methods to install fiber internet in your neighborhood, micro trenching and boring.

Micro trenching

Micro trenching uses a specialized machine to cut 12 to 16-inch deep trenches in the street.

The trench will run parallel to the curb. As we cut through the pavement, a vacuum sucks up the debris, making it clean. The fiber, in its protective conduit, is placed in the resulting trench.

(L-R) The conduit that protects the fiber underground, the conduit being laid in the trench, the sealed trench.

We fill the trench with durable flowable cement specially selected to blend with the pavement.

Micro trenching is the most efficient method available and is much less disruptive to the surrounding area than traditional construction methods.

Boring

Our construction team places a directional boring machine at an entrance point, usually on street lots at the beginning of a street or on corner street lots, to start creating a path that will house the fiber conduit.

The directional bore can travel up to 500 feet underground, so a crew member operates the machine to avoid damaging underground utility lines.

A directional boring machine doing its work

Work will take place in the public right-of-way (ROW). The ROW, located 2 to 4 feet from the sidewalk into your yard, is City-owned land reserved for utility easements.

We dig a hole at every other property line to access the fiber.

We place a box in the hole to surround and protect the conduit and cover the box with a green cover. Most yards use a small box. Since fiber splicing occurs on corner lots, requiring more room for the fiber equipment, these yards may have a more extensive box cover.

A fiber box, covered and sitting flush with the lawn.

If we cannot finish a hole with a covered box on day one, we mark it for safety and prioritize its completion on the morning of day two.

We take great pains to put things back the way we found them. It is normal to see water and mud when we direct the bore underground if your property is beside an entrance point. After we complete the boring, we will do whatever it takes to return the grass to its original condition. Rest assured, the water you may see is not from the water main. You may also hear the machine working during this time.

Our construction may temporarily impact traffic flow while we work. The disruption to traffic should only last the day, and we will do our best to minimize impact.

Right of way (ROW)

The City reserves the last two to four feet from the sidewalk for utilities. This right of way houses utilities, including power, water, and in this case, the conduit that carries fast, reliable fiber internet to homes and businesses.

The right-of-way measurement can differ depending on your neighborhood. Contact your City for specific details regarding your right-of-way.