Customer Connections

When a customer signs up for DVFiber’s internet service, an aerial or underground (in conduit) drop cable is run from DVFiber’s optical distribution network (ODN) to their home or business. An optical network terminal (ONT) is then typically installed on the outside of the building near where other services enter. Ethernet and low-voltage power cables are run to the interior room on the other side of the wall where the ONT is mounted. An electrical outlet is required for the power cable and the ethernet cable is run to the WiFi router. If optional telephone service is ordered, a connection from the ONT to the interior phone line is also made.

What’s included in any of the three DVFiber internet service subscriptions?

Drop cable installation either aerially or through conduit.
ONT mounting and installation, including 8 hour battery backup
Routing of ethernet and power connections to the interior room
10 feet of power cable
25 feet of ethernet cable
WiFi router (you can use your own but that does not reduce the subscription cost)*
Testing of the connection to ensure it’s performing properly
Setup of a single device to the network when DVFiber’s router is used

* Using your own router prevents DVFiber from supporting your install beyond the ONT. DVFiber will not troubleshoot issues beyond its own equipment. In addition, equipment provided by DVFiber is maintained by DVFiber, while customer owned equipment is not.

What’s not included in any of the three DVFiber internet service subscriptions?

Installation or preparation of customer owned poles
Installation or preparation of conduit
Telephone service
Longer power cable
Longer ethernet cable
Installation of router or WiFi mesh extenders in other rooms
Setup of customer equipment other than the single device

Optional Equipment and Services

When ordering service, DVFiber Customer Support will discuss with you the optional equipment and services that are offered at additional cost including:

Telephone service
Longer power cable length
Longer ethernet cable
Additional 8 hours of battery backup for ONT
Placement of router in another room
Addition of WiFi mesh extenders if required (the installer can help determine if any are needed)

Installing new or preparing existing Conduit

DVFiber will install the drop cable in suitably prepared conduit but does not install or repair conduit. The following link is a list of contractors able to perform the type of work required. The list is provided only as a courtesy and DVFiber does not represent or certify any of the contractors, and customers are free to select any contractor they choose. It is the customer’s responsibility to work with the contractor of their choice to complete or repair the installation of the conduit and the cost of any conduit work is the responsibility of the customer. List of Contractors

The installation of conduit for fiber optic cable is slightly different than installation of conduit for copper cables. Most notably, care must be taken to prevent making sharp bends in the cable or pulling with too much force on the cable since that can cause failures or performance problems. DVfiber encourages customers and their contractors to reach out to confirm that work done to complete the installation or preparation of conduit is completed properly. You can contact DVFiber at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. You can also submit pictures via the email address to help describe your concern.

A full list of requirements for conduit can be found below.

Interior requirements

For any of the 3 internet services, the ONT has two connections that must be run to the interior of the structure. These two connections are:

12V Low Voltage Cable – at the time of the customer order, a 110V electrical outlet within 10 feet of the ONT must be identified. This will provide power for the ONT. If necessary, a longer cable can be ordered to reach the closest outlet.
Ethernet Cable – at the time of the customer order, the location of the router should be identified. The standard install includes a cable length of up to 25 feet run from the ONT mounted on the building’s exterior wall to the room on the interior side of this wall. The router will be located in this interior room. If one or both of these requirements can’t be met, additional costs will be identified and must be approved by the customer in order for the installation to be completed.

If optional telephone service has been ordered, a third connection from the ONT to the inside phone line will also be run.

What if I own or live in a Multiple Dwelling Unit (MDU)?

There are several ways that DVFiber can provide services to MDUs and owners should contact DVFiber to discuss those options using the [email protected] email address.

If you live in an MDU, you should contact your landlord to discuss how you can get DVFiber service.

CONDUIT REQUIREMENTS

The following is a list of requirements for conduit. Except for the type of conduit, the requirements are the same whether installed by trenching or direct drilling.

Installation of conduit is the responsibility of the customer, but whether the conduit is existing or new, the design for conduit should be reviewed with DVFiber to ensure there are no problems with the conduit that would delay the completion of the connection and customers are encouraged to contact DVFiber at [email protected] with any questions or concerns.

Before any underground construction, contact, DigSafe! It’s the law! http://www.digsafe.com/index.php
If re-using conduit, it must be clear of breaks and free of debris and generally conform to all other conduit requirements including pull boxes unless exceptions are noted during the pre-connection survey. If you’re uncertain if the existing conduit is in acceptable condition, reach out to DVFiber for confirmation at [email protected].
DVFiber will not touch other utilities’ cables and will not use an existing, even abandoned, cable to pull fiber through an existing conduit.
Conduit must not have inline pedestals or pull boxes owned by other utility providers.
If replacing existing conduit, it should be placed along the same route as the original. If the route is changed, DVFiber must be notified.
Conduit should be run parallel to the route of other underground utilities.
Fiber cannot be run in a conduit that has electrical wiring in it.
Fiber can be shared in a conduit with other telecommunication utilities, provided the conduit is wide enough to accommodate the addition of the fiber drop cable (a 2” conduit can usually accommodate 2 lines). At least 50% of the conduit capacity should be available.
Conduit must be a minimum of 1.5” diameter for distances under 400 feet. Anything longer than 400 feet requires 2” diameter conduit. Conduit must be “schedule 40 electrical” meeting the NEMA TC-2 standard and use long sweeps (not 90-degree elbows or “L” shaped angles).
HDPE flexible/rolled conduit with a pre-installed pull tape that meets NEMA TC-7 standards may be used instead of individual sections of standard electrical conduit. Long sweeping turns should be used, with no sharp bends. The minimum diameter of rolled conduit is 1.25” for distances under 400’. Anything longer than 400’ requires 1.5” diameter conduit. All other conduit requirements apply.
Conduit over 400’ will require properly sized intermediate pull boxes spaced no further than 400’ apart. The size of the intermediate pull box(es) is dependent on the size of the drop cable required, which may differ based on the layout or length of the installation. The size of the pull box is also dependent on whether the box is used for slack loops. The customer should contact DVFiber at [email protected] for further details on the placement and sizes of required pull boxes.
Conduit over 600’ will require slack loops in properly sized and placed pull boxes no further than 600’ apart. The customer should contact DVFiber at [email protected] for further details on the placement and sizes of required pull boxes used for slack loops.
The depth of the trench should be tapered up to the pull box where the conduit enters and exits the box.
The conduit should NOT run through the box and the entry and exit holes should be sealed around the conduit where it enters the box.
Conduit must come up at least 1.5’ above grade at both the structure and pole as well as be secured to the pole and to the structure or backboard. Also, the conduit on the pole side must come up in the same quadrant (same side of the pole) as existing services. Except where conduit was previously installed through a basement or foundation wall, conduit on the structure side must come up on the outside of the structure.
Conduit should be trenched at least 24” deep, measured to the bottom of the trench. Conduit can be trenched less than 24” when dealing with ledge but should not be less than 12” deep.
Bottom of trench should be uniform, not undulating. When dealing with ledge, the trench depth should taper on either side.
Backfilling the trench should include properly and periodically re-tamping the fill to avoid undesirable stresses to the conduit.
A marker tape should be placed 12” above the conduit (not required for existing conduit).
DVFiber will install a tracer wire inside the conduit when pulling the fiber.
Conduit must have a 210-250 lb tensile strength pull string/tape installed. The pull string should extend at least 2’ beyond the ends of the conduit. Tie the pull string around the outside of the conduit and place an unglued cap over the ends of the conduit to prevent water from entering. DVFiber will replace the caps with putty when completing the installation of the fiber drop cable.
No weather heads should be installed on either end of the conduit.