Key Biscayne Master Plan 043944000.18w_Key_Biscayne_MP(forJooMag) | Page 51
5.0 DESIGN CRITERIA AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN DESCRIPTION
service area is designed to serve up to a maximum of 256 individual
connections. It should be noted that many service pedestals and
below grade vaults and hand holes will be required for the overhead to
underground conversion but this equipment is not considered significant.
Locations for all equipment elements will be determined during the detailed
design for each phase.
5.3.4
Wireless Technology – Smart Poles
There were previous discussions at Village Underground Utility Task Force
meetings regarding the opportunity to deploy “Smart Pole” technology in
conjunction with the undergrounding project to bolster wireless service.
These poles could also serve as low visual impact antenna for future 5G
wireless technologies and/or Village wide WiFi service.
Existing underground electrical pull boxes and communications pedestals
in Key Biscayne
Initially, Comcast plans to design a “like-for-like” coaxial-based network
conversion. Comcast indicated they would like to provision for future
expansion and potentially offer a FTTP network. This would be an upgrade
to the existing Fiber to the Node (FTTN) network currently in place.
However, Comcast stated that the additional cost related to this upgrade
would need to be borne by the Village. This being the case, this master
plan contemplates that a “like for like” fiber/coaxial system (FTTN network)
will be deployed for the undergrounding program.
At the time of the Master Plan process, Comcast was not under contract
by the Village to prepare detailed design plans, therefore Comcast
representatives could only speak in generalities about the infrastructure
necessary for a “like for like” conversion or a FTTP conversion. Comcast
indicated it would be ideal for the phasing to start on the south end of the
Village and work north. In that sequence, the existing node boundaries
would be maintained to the greatest extent possible. Each fiber node
Kimley-Horn held a meeting with a representative from Hotwire
Communications who was invited to address the UUTF regarding
the deployment of a Fiber communications network and Smart
Poles throughout the Village. However, any of the communications
providers within the Village could assist with the implementation of this
technology. To take full advantage of the Smart Pole technology a fiber
communications backbone would be required.
For the purposes of this master plan, the term “Smart Pole” will refer to a
street light pole fitted with antennas for cellular and/or WiFi devices. Smart
Poles have been deployed in many markets throughout the U.S. to develop
a distributed antenna system (DAS) to improve cellular service. They have
also been utilized to expand WiFi in public places and to enable coverage
for municipal functions, supporting data needs of public safety, public
works, transportation and information technology.
DAS network antennas are generally installed at lower elevations than
traditional antennas found on cell towers. DAS infrastructure is also
generally lower power and intended to serve a smaller geographic area.
They are popular in dense urban areas where traditional cell towers are
unfeasible to develop. There are numerous DAS technologies and they
are generally specific to the telecommunication provider. In general, the
lower the antenna height the higher the density of poles required to cover a
given area.
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