The optimization achieved in the design represented between 30 and 35% savings in CAPEX thanks to the reduction in the size of micro-trenches, design automation, and the reporting tool.
Fiber Deployment Director, Salam
Our client, Integrated Telecom Company, wanted to develop its fiber infrastructure in order to meet the FTTH penetration targets set by the Saudi regulator as part of the kingdom's Vision 2030 national strategy.
Our client's challenges:
The goal of the project is to connect 640,000 households in five major geographic areas to fiber through the deployment of 22,000 km of fiber.
Salam faced several challenges:
- Having the in-house expertise needed to deliver a project of this scale;
- Reassure the Saudi regulator of its ability to deliver the expected results within the set deadlines, even though the objectives were very ambitious and the deadlines very short;
- Select the right partners;
- Manage the logistics of supplying equipment (cables, technical cabinets, splitters, etc.);
- Our client called on Sofrecom to design and engineer the network, evaluate and select partners, and supervise deployment in accordance with the deadlines set by the regulator and in compliance with international standards.
Our experts were tasked with four main missions:
- Defining the technical specifications;
- Collecting data and designing the FTTH network;
- Supervising and monitoring deployment;
- Documenting all control points.
Our client's methodology for ensuring fiber deployment
With the project already underway, the first step was to analyze the existing situation (processes in place, data already collected, local skills, etc.) and standardize engineering rules by establishing a single set of guidelines (engineering rules, acceptance criteria, safety rules, etc.). This reference system was updated and shared regularly with all project stakeholders.
Our experts then proposed the creation of industrialized plans using the Comsof Fibre tool, which optimizes network design, cost, and design time.
Our engineers also developed a tool to optimize data collection (digitization of plans, data control, etc.) and reporting.
The size of the project and the amount of information collected daily (more than a million photos taken during the initial surveys alone, and detailed monitoring of more than 120 construction sites simultaneously) made it essential to master efficient processes based on a suitable information system.
Our teams then evaluated and selected subcontractors. They supervised all deployments.
During this phase, Sofrecom committed to the following:
- Ensuring that the construction and materials complied with the design and engineering rules.
- Preparing a daily progress report on the project to enable us to manage deadlines and meet our client's commitments to the regulator.
- Continuously adapting to design changes.
- Adapting the system to manage the many difficulties encountered in the field (complaints from local residents, etc.).
- The health crisis also required increased vigilance on the part of the project manager to monitor and ensure compliance with health and safety rules.
The benefits our client has achieved with our methodology
This fiber project, the first of its kind for our client, enabled them to undertake an internal transformation and adapt their organization. It allowed them to create a new positioning and gain legitimacy with the kingdom's regulator. The deployment strategy implemented by our teams enabled it to be the first to obtain all the acceptance certificates.
Salam testifies to the project's success factors:
- "The main success factors were the provision of an effective reporting tool and the selection of the right partners and subcontractors."
- “The optimization achieved in the design represented between 30 and 35% savings in CAPEX thanks to the reduction in the size of micro-trenches, design automation, and the reporting tool.”
- “Sofrecom and its partners have, of course, contributed significantly to the transfer of skills to our young population and to developing their skills.”
