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Homer
Electric Fiber Optic Fact Sheet
What is fiber optics?
Fiber optics are thin transparent fibers of glass enclosed in cable. A fiber system uses
light waves to move impulses from one point to another. Fiber optic is the latest wave of
technology in the communications world and presently, systems are being installed
worldwide. With fiber optics, the signals move at virtually the speed of light and
therefore, are much faster than the conventional methods of communication transfer. The
transmission quality and capacity are far superior to conventional copper cabling systems.
Much more data can be moved much faster over fiber than any other known method at this
time.
Where was the fiber -optic cable installed?
 Homer Electric linemen installed 90-miles of fiber-optic cable on existing power
transmission lines from the Homer HEA office to the Soldotna Substation, along a route
roughly parallel to the Sterling Highway. The cable proceeds west toward Beaver Creek
Substation and continues to the Kenai HEA office.
What is a fiber optic system being used for?
A fiber optic system provides a highly sophisticated means of transporting data, voice,
and video messages at high speeds from one point to another.
The fiber optic project was first conceived to meet Homer Electric's internal needs such
as voice and data transmission between district offices, SCADA communications with the
Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Project, and video conferencing. The project was
designed to carry 24 fiber strands. After meeting the internal needs, which consisted of
the use of four strands, Homer Electric leased excess capacity to the telephone industry
and committed capacity to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.
How much was the investment?
The cost of the construction totaled $2.5 million.
Who benefits from the fiber-optics project?
Homer Electric has used four of the 24 strands to improve data and voice communications
between HEA's two main service centers. Various HEA substations and SCADA equipment were
added to the fiber-optic backbone system. Fiber will replace many telephone lines, which
represents a savings to HEA members.
Adding a 20-foot extension to HEA's microwave-radio tower was just one step toward
utilizing our fiber-optic line to improve communications with the Bradley Lake
Hydroelectric Project. After completing improvements, HEA will receive $90,000 a year for
providing the communications network from the Railbelt utilities that share the power
produced. HEA comes out ahead because we will reduce operating costs and will receive
revenue for providing the Bradley communications service.
After evaluating the capacity the co-op would need internally, it was recognized that
there was an abundance of capacity still available. HEA felt that the extra capacity could
best be used by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. By doing so, HEA provided a
wide bandwidth communications path (45-megabit) for 16 schools and the school
administrative office. This technology has made significant differences in the classrooms.
It has relieved the data traffic congestion and provided a more powerful research tool.
Networking, Internet activities, and other communications now operate transparently.
Schools can now communicate with one another faster, more students can use the technology
due to the larger bandwidth and there is unlimited growth potential to meet any need or
technological demand in the future.
To create new revenue for the cooperative, HEA reached an agreement with Alaska
Communications Systems (ACS) in June 1999 to lease the remaining fiber-optic strands to
improve system reliability and cover the needs for new voice and data telephone services
on the Peninsula.
Time Line:
| 1996 |
Planning began. First approached schools with concept. |
| 1997 |
Design began. |
| 1998 |
Construction began in March; completed in November
Training in October/November by Lucent Technologies on end-use equipment
Explored the feasibility of marketing telecommunications bandwidth
Entered negotiations with various telecommunications providers
Began installing equipment in substations |
| 1999 |
Fiber-optic backbone becomes functional
HEA voice and data traffic switched over
Contract signed in December with ATU-Long Distance to lease excess capacity
Build-out to schools completed in December |
| 2000 |
School project becomes functional for student use in January |
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Homer
Office: (907)235-8551
Corporate Office:
3977 Lake Street, Homer AK 99603 |
Kenai
Office: (907)283-5831
Central Peninsula Service Center:
280 Airport Way, Kenai AK 99611 |
| In Alaska
call toll-free: (800) 478-8551 |
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