Yesterday, I noticed some construction along Barth Road between Fm1843 and FM672. They made me come to a stop so I took the opportunity to ask what they were doing. I was rewarded: "Installing fiber optic cable to the new cell tower in downtown Dale". I have not previously noticed the technique being used: They were using a backhoe to dig holes about 100 yards apart on the side of the road. Then, they use a boring machine to bore from one hole to the next. I imagine they were using an empty conduit to push through the borings. I further imagine that they will somehow push a long continuous length of fiber cable through the conduit once they splice together the conduit segments. I can not imagine that they would make cable splices every 100 yards. That's because my perception is that making a fiber splice is difficult/expensive/lossy.
Five or more years ago a cell tower (tower only) was put up behind the Dale Volunteer Fire Department building. I discovered that the chain link fence surrounding the tower had a sign identifying as "McKemie HomeGrown". Finding that label surprised me. The tower sat for years with the tower complete but no antennae or electric stuff. A few months ago, activity resumed; first, electric service was installed.
I'm surprised that fiber is being installed to the tower. I thought that all cell towers were served data only via radio.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mKBGJxe2gCpfBrpJ6
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