Project Update for Friday, February 17, 2023
Construction of the Volt Broadband fiber-to-the-home network continues throughout the NELPCO service territory. At this point, over 2,700 accounts have pre-registered for the service, a number that continues to increase each day.
In the Baskin 2 feeder area, which encompasses the area west of US 425/LA 15 from the Mangham area to Liddieville, construction is complete and installations will soon be underway for the 400 pre-registrations received so far.
Once the fiber splicing crews complete their job in early-March, installations for those who have pre-registered will begin.
Construction continues in the Baskin 3 feeder area east of US 425/LA 15 from just north of Winnsboro to the LA 132/Union Church area north of Baskin. This process includes the installation of the support wire followed by the attachment of the actual fiber.
This process is approximately 70% complete at this point, and should be finished by the end of March.
After that, fiber splicing should be completed within four to six weeks once construction ends. If all goes according to plan, installations will begin in mid-May barring unexpected complications from weather or other unforeseen events.
There are currently some 200 service pre-registrations in the Baskin 3 area, with more expected as construction activity in their area becomes more visible.
“Make ready” work getting the system ready for construction continues in the Chickasaw area and points north toward the Arkansas line, as well as in the Fort Necessity and South Franklin area.
All make ready work for the entire system should be completed by the end of March.
Construction in the Log Cabin area near Bastrop has been completed and individual service installs continue. As of March 1, over 600 customers will have Volt Broadband service in that area alone, with an additional 50-60 more scheduled for installation.
The “take rate”, or the number of potential NELPCO members who opt in for the Volt Broadband service, is approaching 50%, which exceeds early expectations.
The design of the fiber system follows the basic NELPCO electrical distribution network, and is sized based on the number of locations served with electricity out of a NELPCO substation. A “hut” where the electronic components for the fiber network is housed at or near the substation, serves as a hub or collection point for each of those locations served.
The fiber cables feed from the hut and follow the electrical distribution feeders to various points along the way, and fiber taps are strategically placed for connecting each location served.
A second point of delivery to the internet has been added as well. This affords Volt Broadband a valuable backup that will allow for more reliable service for our customers.
We understand and appreciate your level of excitement surrounding the project, and continue to ask for your patience as we work through the process. We also encourage our members to pre-register at Voltbroadband.com/signup, and watch for news and information regarding this exciting new service for our NELPCO members.
Make sure to follow us on social media for more updates. You can also call our office at 318.728.1022 and select option 4 to hear a recording of our weekly project updates. And if you haven’t pre-registered yet, do so today at VoltBroadband.com/signup.