Street artist turns PoP into eye-catcher

During the fibre roll-out in Wielsbeke, a street artist transformed a PoP into an eye-catching feature of the streetscape. Not to mention that the project in West Flanders is a great example of our collaboration with Wyre. We do much more than infrastructure work within this partnership. We are involved in the entire preliminary phase, from the choice of location for the PoPs to contacts with the municipal authorities and the processing of the necessary contracts and permits.

What is a PoP again?

PoP is short for Point of Presence. A PoP is a technical facility in which private users are connected to a fibre optic network. Approximately 3,000 homes can be connected to one PoP. In a given city or municipality, you’ll have several PoPs connected to each other. Together, they are the heart of a fibre optic distribution network.

From grey to an explosion of colours

We are taking on many executive tasks for Wyre, the joint venture between Telenet and Fluvius for the installation of fibre optic cables. Our responsibility is not limited to infrastructure work. We are also fully involved in the entire preliminary phase. This includes the choice of location for the PoPs, contacts with the municipal authorities and the processing of the necessary contracts and permits for the PoPs.

Most of the time, PoPs are boring, grey cabins. But it doesn’t always have to be that way. As demonstrated by the project in Wielsbeke, where Wyre will connect 10,000 end users to the fibre optic network. Sam Billen, street artist at Treepack, transformed Wielsbeke’s PoP into a real eye-catcher. Or how an everyday object became a stunning feature of the Wielsbeek streetscape.

The unveiling of Sam Billen’s colourful work took place at the end of February. Pictured here: Luc Van den Bogaert (Sales Director Netceed) – Guido Van Dyck (Sales Director Circet) – Hendrik Wuyts (Divisional Manager Mobile Jacops) – Stijn Baert (Head of Sales & Marketing Circet) – Bart Acke (VP Network Build & Roll-out Wyre) – Micha Berger (CEO Wyre) – Wouter Belmans (Managing Director Netceed)

Looking for PoP-locations

“Installing such a PoP involves a lot of work,” says Guido Van Dyck, Sales Director at Circet. “But with our teams, we also ensure that this process runs smoothly. After we receive a ‘search zone’ from Wyre indicating where a PoP should be located, we carry out the necessary research for a suitable location.”

This kick-starts a process in consultation with the city or municipality involved. “First we make some proposals for the PoP locations, after which the municipal council gives its final approval for a specific location. Arranging the necessary permits is also part of that process,” explains Guido. “That’s where our Permits department comes into the picture. They know the permit processes inside and out and have good contacts with cities and municipalities.”

“After the municipality gives the green light, the PoP is installed and connected to the fibre optic infrastructure,” concludes Guido. “And that is what happened in Wielsbeke, albeit with the addition of a creative touch.”