Legacy GIS Tools and Processes Don’t Cut It for Broadband Infrastructure

Legacy tools like Google Earth or Esri ArcGIS have proved ineffective in managing modern fiber networks. 

Let’s find out why. 

Revamping Fiber Network Management: Moving Beyond Legacy GIS Tools

Every broadband provider uses legacy tools like Google Earth or Esri ArcGIS to examine potential projects. These tools are good for exploring broadband projects but must be improved for managing modern fiber networks. When a telecommunication company starts designing a network and tracking resources, these mapping tools can be used for geographic data. However, service providers can only use them for some operations.

GIS mapping tools are not designed for fiber management and cannot provide the detailed information or functions needed for efficient fiber management in planning, design, and operation. The use of these tools requires service providers to invest extra time and money, making them overstressed by spreadsheets and workarounds. 

Here are some examples of ineffective fiber network management by these legacy tools. 

• 80% of service providers still depend on manual data entry for some of their network records.
• The average cost of correcting a data entry error is $11. 
• 75% of providers use spreadsheets to manage their fiber inventory.
• 50% of service providers need more real-time visibility into their network performance.
• Legacy fiber management processes can add up to 20% to network operations costs.
• Legacy tools need to gain the skills to adapt according to market conditions and technological advancements.

Advantages of Modern Fiber Management Tools

Network service providers can use purpose-built fiber management for broadband to overcome these inefficiencies and get advanced network modeling and visualization. 

This modern fiber management is designed to accurately represent fiber paths, underground infrastructure, and potential obstacles. The purpose-built fiber management reduces manual effort and errors while ensuring 

data consistency for real-time network monitoring so that potential issues can be identified. 

Purpose-built fiber management ensures efficient network performance by offering the following benefits. 

• Network visualization on a map with element-level details on location, status, and capacity
• Effective user interface for non-technical users to facilitate adoption
• Designing of circuits by using splicing fiber strands and connecting them to OLT ports 
• Simplified workflows to view improved network performance

Also, Read | South Carolina Broadband Funding: Full $112.3M to Local Providers

Benefits of VETRO FiberMap

One good option to manage fiber networks is VETRO FiberMap, designed to help service providers with the most comprehensive and reliable record system.   

VETRO FiberMap provides simple network management without requiring the service providers to have GIS expertise.  

VETRO helps to: 

• Manage fiber routes and connections in one location. 
• See the entire network, visualizing inventory and virtual circuits in tables and the field.
• Easily connect to CRM, BSS/OSS, and work order systems, providing a holistic view of network operations.

Legacy GIS tools need to be improved to manage fiber broadband infrastructure. As a result, service providers need to invest in efficient and reliable fiber management tools. Purpose-built fiber management provides a good solution for efficient fiber network monitoring. Adopting these modern fiber management tools can benefit service providers and help them successfully deploy and operate reliable, affordable, high-speed fiber internet for everyone.