Axione designs and deploys telecommunication structures: FTTH networks, or in other words, fibre optics. Geographical information is useful throughout all the phases of a project, from tendering to operating a network. Currently, the company operates 24 networks and delivers a fibre optic connection to 6,500 towns/villages totalling 13 million residents.

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////// XAVIER FODOR. PHOTO REPORT: ESTELLE POULALION.

1 / RESPONDING TO AN INVITATION TO TENDER

The first, and without doubt one of the most important stages in the creation of an FTTH network, takes place at the head office of Malakoff. Taking into consideration public market specifications, the pre-sales team puts together Axione’s proposal. GIS is used to retrieve data and to model the network to be constructed. A quantitative model is created based on the network’s layout in order to cost the project. This preliminary deliverable allows company tenders to be queried and prioritised. The term “decision mapping” is in vogue as it helps to better understand the design challenges and to respond more precisely to the invitation to tender.

2 / PROJECT PREPARATION

Once the contract has been awarded to us, the construction design office works on the compiling of studies such as the Summary Pre-Project, which specifies the routing of cables and telecommunication boxes to be used. Thanks to data retrieved from operators, the Detailed Pre-Project serves to compile the construction documentation that will be entrusted to the team who are going to construct the network.

3 / MOVING FORWARDS TOGETHER

Teams working on the same project meet on a regular basis. Axione has design offices in Châtillon and Lille. With extensive deployment of fibre optics, they are presently working on some fifteen projects at the same time.

4 / CREATING AND MAINTAINING ESSENTIAL TOOLS

Network design is not only done in the office!

It is crucial to get out into the field and to proceed to do field studies. You must verify on site that it is indeed possible to construct the modelled layouts. Axione’s Method, Data & Tools division has created a software designed for tablets. The division also sets up and maintains the pool of tablets.

5 / ENSURING RELIABILITY WITH FIELD SURVEYS

The field teams carry out a letterbox census: they verify each address that will be connected. They qualify all the storage and cable routes, along with equipment. For example, they do an inventory of existing electric poles and cables in order to perform electrical load calculations. This enables checking as to whether optic fibre can be added to the present layout and passed “overhead”. They also carry out a study of telecommunication chambers by locating existing cables. This serves to choose the ducting through which Axione’s fibre optic cables are going to pass. The company will then lease this equipment to operators. Geolocalised data collection thus serves to validate the technical choices with regard to deployment and to complete the costing.

6 / INTEGRATING DATA INTO THE INFORMATION SYSTEM

Throughout the year, the Method, Data & Tools division develops IT business solutions for the different entities of Axione. Everyone, from the design offices to the field operators, uses the organisational tools that ensure coherent processes and procedures. The data produced during the construction of the network is collected.

7 / OPERATING THE NETWORK

Once constructed, the FTTH network is often operated as a Public Service Delegation, which means that Axione administrates it on behalf of all the operators. Its supervision centre is located in Pau. GIS ensures that the data actually conforms to the project. It now serves for reporting and management of anomalies A web portal also enables verification of eligibility for fibre optics.

8 / MONITORING OF DEPLOYMENT

Fibre optics is under continual development. The team that pilots the deployment of fibre optics often conducts meetings to monitor progress. A colour code is used to show the situation on a map. In the future, GIS will be able to programme the extension or densification of networks

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