Strategies and tools for large-scale fiber deployment

Insights

• Effective governance and strategic business modeling are critical to managing large-scale fiber deployments and ensuring timely, cost-effective execution.
• Integrating geographic information systems (GIS) and operational support systems (OSS) early in the planning phase enhances route optimization, asset tracking, and operational readiness, reducing errors and delays.
• A hybrid resourcing model, combining in-house expertise with external partners, balances control, scalability, and flexibility throughout the fiber rollout.
• Thorough testing and validation at every stage of deployment are essential to confirm network performance and ensure reliable service activation.

Legacy telecom infrastructure was originally built for voice and early data services over copper and evolved through fragmented, outdated frameworks. Today’s digital environment demands fiber technology that supports ultra-fast, high-capacity data transmission.

Making optimal decisions about where, when, and how to deploy fiber, along with selecting appropriate components and network architecture, is complex. The scale of modern rollouts strains existing OSS. However, a full OSS replacement is often unfeasible in the short term due to integration challenges and capital limitations.

Several frameworks and methodologies have emerged to address the growing complexity of fiber network deployment, each offering perspectives depending on project scale, geography, and organizational maturity.

For example, some fiber deployment processes emphasize digitalization, program governance, and integrated execution models. Its focus on modular build cycles, use of digital twins, and centralized tracking tools support faster deployment while maintaining quality control. Similarly, this guide to fiber network design provides practical insight into infrastructure planning, equipment selection, and geographic route optimization — essential elements in the technical planning phase.

At a strategic level, this industry perspective underscores the importance of accelerating permitting processes, improving cross-agency collaboration, and enhancing operational efficiency through leaner workflows and supply chain agility to enable faster and cheaper deployment.

Infosys 3Is approach — initiation, installation, and illumination — adds to this evolving body of knowledge by offering a structured, end-to-end perspective on the fiber enablement journey. Rather than focusing on isolated stages, it emphasizes the interdependence of strategy, execution, and activation. By embedding ongoing considerations such as governance, OSS readiness, compliance, and forecasting across all phases, it helps organizations manage complexity while remaining adaptable to local contexts and evolving technologies.

3Is – Initiation, installation, illumination

The 3Is is a structured approach (Figure 1) that incorporates critical aspects in fiber deployment such as network design, OSS integration, regulatory compliance, safety protocols, governance, and demand forecasting. This phased framework guides the deployment journey systematically, from initial planning to full-service activation.

Figure 1. Infosys 3Is framework

Source: Infosys

Initiation

The initiation phase aligns business goals with on-ground realities through critical early-stage activities such as governance design, business model definition, feasibility analysis, and infrastructure planning. By addressing both market dynamics and operational constraints upfront, this phase ensures that the deployment is not only viable and compliant, but is also positioned for long-term scalability and value realization.

Governance: A strong governance structure (Figure 2) is foundational to the success of a fiber enablement program. It ensures strategic alignment, execution control, and risk oversight throughout the project life cycle. Given deployment complexities, ranging from navigating local permitting and environmental regulations to ensuring technical precision, robust governance plays a crucial role in driving timely and effective execution.

Figure 2. The pillars of governance model

Source: Infosys

Business model: The business model in a fiber enablement program rests on two pillars: the commercial model and the resourcing model. The commercial model can be floating (variable pricing based on usage or demand); fixed (consistent, predetermined pricing); or hybrid (a mix of both). The commercial model chosen defines pricing and monetization, shaping market positioning and revenue predictability.

This can be handled in-house for greater control and IP retention, contracted to external vendors for rapid scalability, or through a hybrid structure that blends internal oversight with third-party agility.

Network feasibility: A feasibility study is a critical early step in fiber deployment, requiring a multidimensional assessment of operational, demographic, market, and regulatory factors (Figure 3). It ensures that the network is technically viable and strategically aligned with both geography and business goals.

Operational feasibility depends on the availability of network equipment, skilled labor, and a stable supply chain. Long-term considerations such as accessibility, service continuity, and maintenance efficiency must also be factored into the design.

Demographic insights, including income levels, digital needs, and housing density, help match services to user demand, while market analysis identifies service gaps, competitive pressures, or partnership opportunities. These inputs inform both technological choices and cost-effective deployment strategies.

Local regulations regarding permits, right-of-way access, and environmental standards can delay projects if not proactively managed. Broader sovereign risks such as inconsistent policies or investment restrictions must also be considered. Notably, the policy around copper switch-off directly influences the urgency and structure of fiber rollout, making regulatory clarity vital for long-term planning.

Figure 3. Network feasibility framework

Source: Infosys

Infrastructure blueprinting: Infrastructure planning provides the technical and operational foundation required for a successful fiber rollout. During this phase, both the logical and physical network topology are defined, including capacity thresholds, node locations, and routing strategies to optimize coverage, reduce latency, and ensure high availability. Detailed capacity planning ensures the network meets current demand while remaining scalable, with provisions for evolving technologies.

Integrating geographic information system (GIS) tools into telecom infrastructure planning enables accurate route mapping, asset visualization, and spatial dependency tracking. These tools enhance permitting workflows, right-of-way management, and regulatory submissions by offering detailed geographic insights. Field teams can access real-time, location-based data to improve deployment and maintenance efficiency, while GIS also supports impact analysis for environmental, construction, and urban planning constraints.

By integrating infrastructure dimensioning early in the program, organizations can reduce design errors, avoid unplanned capital and operational expenses, and accelerate downstream activities such as regulatory approval and OSS integration. This phase ensures that physical network design remains tightly aligned with strategic business goals, supporting a smoother transition into installation and activation.

Installation

The installation phase forms the execution backbone of the fiber enablement journey, where strategic plans translate into physical infrastructure. Success at this stage depends not only on speed but also on precision, ensuring every splice, joint, and configuration is built for long-term performance and scalability.

Governance and quality oversight: Effective governance in the Installation phase maintains control over schedule, budget, safety, and resources. Schedule adherence relies on real-time progress tracking to prevent delays and keep downstream activities like testing and activation on track.

Cost control requires strict financial oversight to align expenditures with budgets, supporting efficient resource use. Simultaneously, proactive risk management identifies and mitigates operational issues early. Real-time field insights are critical for flagging bottlenecks and readiness gaps, enabling timely corrective actions and smooth project progression.

Construction and civil works: This phase focuses on establishing the physical pathways and structural foundations required for fiber network deployment. However, before any physical fiber installation begins, securing the necessary permits and permissions is essential to ensure smooth execution and regulatory compliance. This includes obtaining clearances from local authorities, landowners, and relevant agencies to avoid delays, rework, or penalties. For deployments within multi-dwelling units or commercial buildings, strict adherence to internal compliance standards such as fire safety and structural approvals is also required. Legal documentation may be needed as proof of compliance, and each site should undergo physical quality audits and certification to confirm readiness before construction starts.

Once site readiness is verified, core construction activities commence to establish the physical foundation of the fiber network. This includes trenching and duct installation using methods like open-cut, micro-trenching, or directional drilling, all aligned with design specifications. In parallel, aerial fiber is deployed on poles where applicable, with full compliance to load and clearance regulations. Critical passive infrastructure such as handholes, manholes, and street cabinets is then installed to enable efficient fiber distribution and long-term service scalability.

Fiber and hardware deployment: Following the completion of the foundational civil works, the fiber and hardware deployment phase commences. This involves the integration of fiber optic cables and all associated active and passive network components into the established infrastructure. It ensures that the network becomes fully functional, scalable, and ready for testing and activation, aligning with long-term service and performance goals.

Fiber laying focuses on the strategic and physical placement of fiber optic cables within pre-built pathways, ensuring their readiness and proper deployment. Deployment techniques include underground installation by pulling or blowing cables through ducted systems or direct burial, as well as aerial installation on poles. All methods strictly follow route plans and bend radius — the minimum radius a fiber optic cable can be bent without causing damage or signal loss — specifications. Additionally, fiber management involves implementing service loops at access points and applying durable labeling for efficient identification and future maintenance.

Splicing and testing are precise processes essential for establishing continuous optical paths and enabling connectivity within the network. Fiber preparation and fusion splicing create permanent, low-loss connections, while using connectors enables flexible connections. Connected fibers are organized within splice trays (these hold and protect fiber splices after fusion splicing) or optical distribution frames (structured enclosures that manage, protect, and distribute fiber connections), with comprehensive labeling for accurate inventory and troubleshooting.

Network hardware integration involves installing and configuring active devices like optical line terminals and edge routers, as well as deploying passive components such as splitters. Support infrastructure including power feeds, backup systems, and cooling is established to ensure consistent operation.

High-capacity backhaul links connect the local access network to the broader core network or internet backbone. Finally, site restoration returns roads, sidewalks, and green spaces to their original or improved condition, followed by final inspections, documentation of as-built conditions, and handover for operational readiness.

As-built data capture and onboarding: All deployed infrastructure should be accurately documented and reflected within OSS and GIS (Figure 4) to capture installed assets such as fiber routes, splice points, cabinet IDs, and equipment serial numbers, creating a single source of truth for the physical network. Inventory management updates databases to reflect the current network state, supporting provisioning, maintenance, and capacity planning. Geospatial data updates feed precise location information and infrastructure maps into GIS tools, aiding field operations, troubleshooting, and future expansions.

Additionally, provisioning system readiness involves preparing OSS with logical configurations, port mappings, and templates to enable automated, seamless service activation during the illumination phase. As infrastructure is laid and assets are documented, operational systems like OSS and GIS come alive with real-world data.

Figure 4. OSS and GIS as-built data capture and onboarding

Source: Infosys

Illumination

As the final pillar of the fiber enablement journey, illumination to last-mile activation marks the transition from passive infrastructure to an operational, service-ready network. This phase involves activating optical signals, validating end-to-end performance, and completing rigorous testing, culminating in the formal readiness for service declaration.

Signal activation: This step involves connecting the deployed fiber to central office equipment to initiate optical signal flow (Figure 5). Active devices such as optical line terminals and the equipment in customer premises are powered on and configured. Laser wavelengths are calibrated to ensure signal transmission meets design specifications and to minimize signal degradation. Successful signal activation is confirmed by the reliable power-up of active equipment, indicating stable operational conditions. At this stage, the infrastructure becomes discoverable in network inventory systems, signaling readiness for subsequent service testing.

Figure 5. Signal activation and power-up

Source: Infosys

Testing and validation: Following signal activation and power-up, the next step in the illumination phase is testing and validation. This stage ensures that the network’s physical infrastructure and active components operate cohesively and meet performance requirements for reliable service delivery. End-to-end testing validates signal strength, latency, and service continuity. In-depth optical testing is conducted using tools like the optical time-domain reflectometer, which sends light pulses through a fiber and measures reflections to find points of signal loss, and power meters to verify fiber integrity and signal loss. Results are compared with baseline values to detect any issues introduced in the final segment. This step is essential for identifying faults before the system is rolled out to customers. A system can only be marked as ready for service after a successful light signal is confirmed.

Service activation and commissioning: Service activation brings network devices active, taking the fiber network one step closer to being ready to deliver services to customers. Commissioning ensures that these activated services meet defined performance standards and are fully connected end-to-end. Network engineers configure service parameters on active devices. Optical signals are fine-tuned to maintain optimal power levels and minimize transmission errors. Performance is validated through controlled traffic tests on each device to confirm that latency, throughput, and reliability meet network quality expectations. Additionally, network monitoring systems are activated to provide real-time visibility into service health and enable early fault detection.

Ready-for-service (RFS) declaration and handover: The RFS declaration marks the formal conclusion of the illumination phase, indicating that the fiber network is operational and ready to deliver services to users. This milestone is only achieved after all testing, validation, and commissioning activities have been successfully completed. Thorough documentation, including test results, configuration records, and operational readiness reports, is finalized to provide a clear handoff baseline. Once RFS is declared, control of the network is officially transferred to the operations team, who will manage ongoing monitoring, maintenance, and customer support.

With the completion of the illumination phase, the fiber enablement journey reaches its critical milestone. The company now possesses a fully operational, service-ready fiber network, ready to support a new generation of high-speed connectivity services.

Essential ongoing practices

To ensure the successful enablement and sustained reliability of a fiber network, several key activities must be consistently managed across all project phases and beyond. Embedding these from the outset helps prevent risks, ensures compliance, and drives efficient execution.

Health and safety compliance: Ensuring full regulatory adherence by obtaining all necessary permits and licenses, and following telecommunications laws is critical. Environmental safeguards must be implemented through impact assessments and mitigation measures to protect natural surroundings. Maintaining audit readiness involves keeping meticulous logs, inspection records, and documentation to support smooth audit processes. Additionally, site safety protocols should be established and enforced, including robust health and safety plans, proper use of personal protective equipment, and efficient incident reporting systems to ensure the well-being of all personnel.

Forecasting: Demand modeling involves analyzing usage trends and predicting future capacity needs to ensure network readiness. Financial planning aligns capital expenditure and operational expenditure with strategic goals while securing necessary funding. Technology readiness includes developing proactive plans for essential technology upgrades and advancements. Scalability planning focuses on designing robust models for anticipated growth and establishing contingencies for unexpected demands or disruptions.

Reporting: KPI monitoring involves tracking key performance indicators including network utilization, uptime, and project milestones. Progress visibility is achieved by providing clear and consistent updates to stakeholders through dashboards and regular reports. Data-driven actions utilize collected data to inform strategic decisions, drive operational optimizations, and identify areas for improvement. Compliance reporting generates necessary output for regulatory bodies and internal or external audit requirements.

A phased and strategic path forward

An effective approach to fiber deployment is phased and pragmatic, recognizing that not all OSS components need immediate overhaul. Automation and digitalization efforts should be prioritized, with investments aligned to deliver long-term value rather than short-term fixes. Since large-scale fiber rollouts are typically one-time initiatives, automation must be selective, efficient, and focused on tangible outcomes. Embracing a methodology that integrates governance, robust business modeling, precise network design, and rigorous compliance ensures not only timely and cost-effective rollouts but also long-term scalability and resilience.