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What exactly does this project involve?
Michel: “Just like in ten other cities and municipalities, we will be installing fibre optic in Grimbergen over the next eighteen months. This project has been entrusted to us by Fiberklaar. We have approximately 7,000 homes in our scope and we are going to dig 95 km of trenches. Long story short: all over Grimbergen, the pavements will be dug up and filled up again.”
Michelle: “Circet is taking care of everything for Fiberklaar over the entire project. We meet with the local authorities to discuss the plans, inform residents about the work in progress, gauge their interest in a fibre connection, handle complaints and queries...”
“In synergy, we are building even more infrastructure for the future. And the residents only have to deal with excavations on their doorstep once.”
Michelle Herrygers, Communications Team Lead
What is challenging about this project?
Michel: “As always with a fibre optic roll-out: maintain the balance between being able to keep working smoothly and the quality of life in the city or municipality. This includes not just the residents and traders who have to contend with trenches in their street, but also the services that grant the permits or keep having to set up new traffic diversions.”
Michelle: “If the nuisance becomes excessive, everyone is at a loss and no one is motivated to make the best of it. That’s why we keep a careful record of all queries and complaints, as this tells us exactly what is going on and what people are concerned about. Where necessary, we adjust our communication plan.”
The groundbreaking has happened, but when did you start the preparations?
Michel: “Almost a year ago. The first stage of such a fibre project is the design of the cable network under the city or municipality. Since the local government allows access to the municipality for fibre installation works, it must give its blessing for those plans. In Grimbergen, we set up three PoP cabins at strategic locations. The network branches out around them. You can connect 2,000 to 2,500 homes per PoP, so the calculation must be correct.”
Michelle: “In parallel, we started the information campaign for the residents, with information letters, leaflets and information sessions. ‘Home surveys’ were also part of this pre-campaign. During the excavation works, we plan to immediately connect as many houses as possible to the network. But the residents have to agree to it beforehand. If they agree, one of our technicians will be on site to determine the best way to bring the cable into their home.”
“The challenge: maintain the balance between being able to keep working smoothly and the quality of life in the city or municipality.”
Michel Dehandschutter, Operations Director Fiberklaar
Why is this a vital project for Circet?
Michel: “First and foremost because it creates a lot of jobs. Overarching teams – like Michelle’s –, local teams and sub-contractors work together to complete the project. The local team consists of a city manager – who is ultimately responsible for that city – and a project coordinator who manages the civil engineering teams. It also includes a site coordinator, a site manager and a work planner who oversees the stocks. Our subcontractors supply the civil engineering crews. In Grimbergen, we work with three sub-contractors, each with a team of 6 to 10 workers.”
Michelle: “Another important aspect: we build in synergy with other utilities. We are also simultaneously laying cables for Fluvius and Wyre under the pavements in Grimbergen, and therefore building even more infrastructure of the future. And the residents only have to deal with excavations on their doorstep once.”