About the company
In 2019, the Chilean government set out to create high-speed networks to ensure connectivity for residents across the country. As part of this initiative, the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (which reports to the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications) launched a tender for a project called National Optical Fiber (FON), which aimed to cover a connectivity network from the Arica region to the Bío Bío region. This route represented a total of 7,500 kilometers of underground and aerial optical fiber.
The challenge
The FON project required a fiber optic supplier that could provide the material and financing to work as a strategic partner of one of the leading operators in Chile. Together, they had to face the challenge of deploying a high-speed telecommunications network that would reduce the digital isolation of part of the Chilean population and democratize connectivity throughout the entire country. Among other things, the aim was to integrate isolated sectors and small populations lacking economic resources. To achieve this, however, it would be necessary to overcome all kinds of geographical and technical difficulties.
“Deploying high-speed networks is essential to meet the connectivity challenges facing the country. At the same time, this technology is an enabler for the development of the new 5G network and is essential for incorporating new applications linked to the 4.0 economy.”
Team from the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications, Chile
The strategy
- Anticipation
To meet this challenge, FYCO created an efficient, disruptive, agile and light business unit. The main strategic decision was to purchase, at the start of the project, the entire stock of optical fiber necessary to lay the road. This required an enormous investment effort and risk-taking on the part of the company, and involved the storage of 1,500 spools of fiber optics in FYCO's warehouses.
- Agility in the face of adversity
The FON project began to be implemented in September 2019. Months later, the Covid-19 pandemic added a level of complexity to logistics, which required the adaptation of remote work and the adaptation of processes to comply with the necessary protocols. Faced with this critical and unforeseen situation, the strategic decision to purchase the entire stock in advance was key: not only did it allow us to meet the committed delivery deadlines, but it also minimized the impact of the global crisis on the overall dynamics of the project.
- Burying
Given the geographical complexity of the territory to be covered, it was decided to underground 60% of the fiber optic highway. This made the project an unprecedented challenge, not only in Chile but in all of Latin America.
The undergrounding also implied the need to request changes in Chilean regulations regarding this construction model, in order to be able to cross protected or inaccessible geographical areas.
“The FON is a historic project for Chile: it reached thousands of people who could not access a telecommunications service to stay connected, to access virtual education or telemedicine. We are talking about children who had to climb onto the roof of their houses to get online, and entire families who were completely isolated from the health system. Without a doubt, this project played a very important social role.”
FON Engineering Manager
“This project could not be more aligned with FYCO’s mission and its desire to make history. Thanks to this fiber optic highway, we changed the lives of many people. That fills our hearts.”
Manager FYCO Chile
Figures
22 months of logistical work
1500 people directly involved
165 communes and 34 small towns reached
7,500 kilometers of optical fiber
60% of the underground route
Results
- Social impact
This project generated a unique social impact, as it enabled the integration of the most isolated or low-income communities throughout the country, which were finally able to have the digital tools necessary to make possible, among other things, virtual education and telemedicine, which were key during the isolation caused by the pandemic.
The project reached rural populations living in extreme conditions, who until then had no access to telecommunications services that would guarantee them access to opportunities and allow them to offer their children a better future.
- Green project
During the project, special attention was paid to the environmental impact: the road crossed not only numerous communities but also national parks, wetlands and restricted areas. This required the implementation of alternative methods of intervention on the ground. Thanks to this experience, three construction mechanics were approved and engineering was developed for machinery, logistics, micro-trenching, underground and above-ground pipelines that today constitute an international benchmark for projects of this scope and characteristics.
- Reach and connectivity
The fiber optic highway reaches 10 regions of Chilean territory, with a route that follows Route 5N and crosses the main national capitals, but also expands to all ends to capture a total of 165 communes and 34 small towns that until now remained isolated.
- Agility and scale
The FON project required 22 months of logistics in the context of a pandemic and involved the work of 1,500 people.