Project Information is up to date as of 03/14/23.

The Phillips Road Fiberhood will construct a ready-to-connect open-access fiber optic network to serve the citizens of Phillips Road and the surrounding area with unlimited, symmetrical, gigabit broadband. At the completion of this project, fiber distribution will be constructed through new underground conduit systems and available at the road for new connections. Using the fiber cable provided by PUD 3, customers will be able to get their home or business connected to the network so they can turn up world-class internet, HDTV, and voice services.

PROJECT PARTNERS/FUNDING

This project is made possible in partnership with PUD 3’s Fiberhood program and the Community Economic Revitalization Board (CERB). PUD 3 was awarded a grant and loan to construct this network in May 2019. PUD 3 intends to meet the requirements of the grant to have substantial completion of the fiber distribution network by November 2023, and hopefully much sooner.

WHAT WE NEED FROM AREA RESIDENTS:

THERE IS A DEADLINE FOR THIS NEXT PART: JUNE 1, 2022! (THE DEADLINE HAS PASSED)

To speed up the timeline and help our engineers plan ahead for the scope of the project, we are asking residents in the project footprint to let us know if they would like to be placed on the construction list for connection to PUD 3’s gig-speed fiber optic network. Eligible properties received a letter, application, and instructions in early-April 2022. Customers that have updated contact info on file with PUD 3 received a heads up to be looking for the application around the same time. If you are within the project area and you need another application, please email fiberhood@masonpud3.org. 

If you are interested in connecting to high-speed internet via PUD 3 fiber in the future, please download and return this Construction Application BY JUNE 1, 2022 by sending it to:

SCANNED: telecomconnect@masonpud3.org; or by mail:

Mason PUD 3 – Telecom Department
PO Box 2148
Shelton, WA 98584

This application will notify the engineers that you want to be included in the construction phase. They will schedule a site survey with you at your home and design a plan to install conduit for the fiber cable. Even if you are not planning to get connected right away, it is very important to submit your application now so that we can prepare the path for future fiber while our construction crews are in the area.

The Fiberhood application fee of $250 will not be billed until the connection phase of the project when it is time to install the fiber optic gateway on your home.

MANY STEPS TO GETTING CONNECTED

We understand that you likely wish you were connected already. Extending fiber networks to rural, unserved areas like yours is a very difficult, costly, and time consuming endeavor. If it was easy, a private for-profit company would have done it already! There are many, many communities throughout Mason County that are in similar broadband-deserts, without access to adequate internet. PUD 3 staff has to tell many inquiring customers every day that we are not in a position to serve them right now. Thankfully, your community’s story is different! You have done your part to rally your neighbors and express interest in PUD 3’s Fiberhood program. Now, it’s our turn to do the heavy lifting. Don’t worry, PUD 3’s teams are experts in this process! About 3,000 homes and businesses around Mason County, in some of the hardest to reach areas, are now connected to the fiber optic network. We are working through our long construction queues and turning up new neighborhoods every month or so.

 

Here's a quick overview of the 8 STEPS to a PUD 3 Fiber Connection.

1. Pre-Construction Engineering – Engineers evaluate poles in the area and call for adjustments or replacements to make room for the fiber cables, OR if existing power service is underground, they create designs to install new conduit where it won’t interfere with existing utilities and make as little impact as possible to roadways.
2. Make Ready Crew – Linemen replace or reframe the poles AND/OR they dig trenches for fiber conduit if the main electrical lines are to remain underground.
3. Telecom Engineering – Engineers then design the maps and estimate the supplies and equipment needed. This is a very technical process to ensure there is enough fiber for each existing parcel, and room for growth as the neighborhood develops. This step also includes identifying a location and installing a fiber distribution hut and creating a safe pull-off for PUD 3 crews to work at the hut.
4. Main Line Fiber Crew – A fiber crew then installs the main fiber-optic cables and the service terminals in the neighborhood. This is very often a contract crew that PUD 3 hires to perform this work. The required competitive bidding process takes additional time, but it ensures PUD 3 is in compliance with the law and that we get the best deal possible on behalf of our customers.
5. Splicing Crew – Splicers must join the newly installed cables together with a high-tech fiber fusion machine. This is usually yet another sub-contracted group. Sometimes this phase can seem to take a long time because the work occurs in a box van and is less visible than the installation of new infrastructure such as poles, conduit, or fiber cable.
6. Service Drop Designer – Once the network is constructed at the road, customers within the Fiberhood can apply to get connected! An engineer meets with the homeowner on site to plan the best path to the home and review requirements.
7. Service Drop Install Crew – The installation crew extends a service line and attaches a fiber gateway to the exterior of the home.
8. Pick a Provider – With PUD 3’s open access fiber network, a number of retail service providers can deliver unlimited, symmetrical, gigabit internet (1000/1000 Mbps), HDTV, and/or phone services to your home over the single fiber optic cable. Shop around to get the best deal! If you’re not happy with one, pick another and utilize the same fiber line installed by PUD 3.

SO, WHICH STEP ARE WE AT NOW?

Bringing fiber into the Phillips Road community will be one of our most challenging projects to date since all the existing utilities are underground. Additionally, due to the grant/loan requirements, PUD 3 will have to hire an excavation contractor to install the conduits and then a telecommunications contractor to install the fiber and splice it together.

We have completed the conduit and fiber engineering designs for this project.  Hanson Excavation has been awarded a contract to install the first phase of infrastructure, including the complete conduit system along with vaults and pedestals.  Phase 1 is expected to be completed by 06/29/23.  Once complete, the second phase of construction will involve the installation and splicing of the fiber mainline cable, service terminals, and service drops.  We anticipate construction to be completed by the end of November 2023.

COVID IMPACTS

COVID-19 has brought additional challenges in forecasting and executing construction projects throughout the world.  PUD 3 is no exception to these impacts caused by COVID-19.  For example, the raw materials used to construct our fiber network ranging from fiber optic cable, distribution terminals, pole attachment hardware, splice enclosures, vaults, pedestals, conduit, and the electronic gateway components that we install at each premise have been impacted at the manufacturing and distribution levels.  We have been (and are currently) experiencing supply-chain delays impacting several of these items.  We are doing everything possible to secure these needed materials to keep construction moving forward.  For the latest information on the supply chain issues that we are experiencing, click here.

Additionally, labor resources have been impacted due to COVID-19.  This, unfortunately, has caused construction times to increase due to absenteeism when a person gets infected, or has been in close contact with someone who is infected.

Please understand that we are working though these challenges diligently to keep projects on track in the most efficient manner possible.