PSS Installations were selected to supply Fibre Optic Cabling installation services for their client, on UK wide MOD bases.
The Fibre Optic Project -MOD
Defence communications have always demanded a powerful balance of security, capability, and innovation. This project was to rationalise and improve IT provision for Defence Sector in the 21st Century for over 2,000 MOD sites. The fibre optic cabling element of the project required many buildings to be interlinked requiring a mix of upgrades and new network infrastructure to provide the communication routes.
There were three main elements of the project that we were involved in:
- Common Core Platform (installation of the WAN fibre connection to a common node)
- High-Speed Upgrade of Routers, including cabling, electrical and racks (compliance upgrade of equipment to meet JSP 480)
- Secure Communications
Fibre Optic Cabling Installation UK
PSS Installations were responsible for carrying out Nationwide surveys within 5 days of receipt, preparing a quotation from a contract agreed template rate schedule and carrying out installations within 10 days of receipt of an order. The project required 10 field engineers to ensure surveys and installations were carried out in the agreed timeframe. The engineers were involved with the installation of new containment throughout buildings, hangers and bunkers to provide protection for the fibre optic cabling through buildings. These works had to be carried out in very sensitive areas and while the MOD carried out their day to day operations without disruption. We were also required to provide civil construction of new pit and duct infrastructure to link buildings that were not connected along with repairs to collapsed and damaged ducts.
MOD fibre Cabling – Project Support
All MOD base surveys and installations were arranged and booked through our project support team and the engineers managed logistically to meet the required numbers and timescales. Engineers had to be security cleared and conversant with JSP480 & JSP 440 standards to meet the high levels of quality and security required for the contract.
Our installation process is to allocate engineers specifically to a project but to also feed in additional engineers to get them project aware to support any fluctuations in project manning requirements.
To Conclude
The project demanded tight adherence to milestones and delivery that were met around the challenging military arena. Installations had to be carried out in critically operational areas without disruption to all ranks. Our work was inspected and accepted at completion to be fully compliant with the JSP 480 and quality standards required by the MOD.