Discussion and Review of Kinetic Fiber Network Installation Proposal – Matt Grahm — WS.D

The map below shows an approximate extent of our plan. The vast majority of the proposed network is to be buried with pedestals between properties near existing pedestals to allow for service. We prefer to use the pedestal because the buried vaults cause long-term problems; the seals eventually fail and water gets into the conduit, if the handhole is full of water it can freeze and we can’t do service during the winter, and it is difficult to find the access points when a snowplow covers the ROW with 4 feet of snow. The pedestal allows the conduit to come out of the ground preventing water from filling it, pedestals are much easier to access in the winter and are more reliable long-term. I will prepare a map showing our existing service and trunk lines, proposed buried, and proposed aerial installation to pass out at the meeting. Our engineers are working on compiling that now. I want to be clear; we are only proposing to work in the ROW and utility easements; we are not going to work in any homeowner’s property. We are installing access to the network; any drop line will be up to the homeowner. You could look at the network as a road system; the existing trunk lines that currently run through are the interstates; they carry high amounts of data across the country and are specifically run to larger businesses, schools, and hospitals. We want to install the lower volume lines that get you from your neighborhood to the interstates. Once a customer requests a service line, that would be the driveway to your home. The streets have to be built before the homes and driveways are installed. As indicated earlier, Kinetic is trying to upgrade the existing, outdated copper infrastructure by replacing it with fiber. We currently serve a significant portion of Tiffin with old copper telephone lines. As we migrate customers off of the old copper service, we will decommission and remove the existing copper infrastructure. Maintaining two parallel services is redundant and copper is cost intensive. This includes copper wire, pedestals, and cabinets. When a pedestal is no longer in use we will remove it and cut the conduits at about 3 feet below the surface and backfill; when an aerial line is no longer needed we will remove it and the pole if it is owned by Kinetic and if a buried copper line is installed in conduit the copper will be pulled from the conduit. Direct-buried copper will be cut below the surface and marked as abandoned as there would be too much damage to the ROW to dig that up. Cabinets will be removed when an entire area is no longer in use. We want to provide Tiffin with the best possible service. Maintaining the existing copper is becoming cost prohibitive as well. If the council decides not to approve our request, we may have to begin the process to decommission the existing copper infrastructure and notify residents that our copper network will no longer be available. We would prefer to transition them from fiber to copper as they are comfortable with the service, but the current climate may force us into making decisions. That is why we are trying to install the new network and offering free transfers at lower rates. Just to be sure you have the concise request: “Kinetic Fiber proposes to install a fiber optic (FO) network in the City of Tiffin, IA. Kinetic will install FO cables at approximately 18”-24” below grade parallel to city streets in public Right-Of-Way (ROW) or Utility Easement (UE). Kinetic will be allowed to install FO cable using “Resi-Plow”, “Resi-Bore”, and directional boring techniques. Kinetic will install fiber optic cable at approximately 36”-48” below grade using only standard directional boring equipment when crossing public streets. The FO network will only be allowed in the ROW or UE until the private property owner requests service. Kinetic Fiber will be responsible for any damage caused by its activity or the activity of their contractor; this includes, but is not limited to, public utility strikes, street damage, road hazard, and landscaping on private property. Kinetic will not be held responsible for private improvements on public ROW or UE. Kinetic will restore ROW and UE to as good or better condition as exists prior to installation.” Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to speaking with you!