CityFibre – Leeds Build

We are CityFibre’s Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) principal contractor, responsible for the full build of the new Leeds network which will connect c. 200,000 homes. The works will comprise the FTTP network from the Point of Presence (PoP) to the Toby Box outside the premise. OCU Utility Services Limited (OCU) are primarily responsible for three key areas, these are: civils, calibration, and cabling.

We are CityFibre’s biggest Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) contractor, responsible for the full build of the new Leeds, Sheffield, Wakefield, and Rotherham networks which will connect c. 700,000 homes. The total build programme is currently estimated at 5 to 6 years.

OCU began the Leeds build in May 2019. The works comprise the FTTP network from the Point of Presence (PoP) to the Toby Box outside the premise; specifically:

• The feeder network from the PoP to the Primary Node
• The feeder and distribution network from the Primary Node to the Secondary Node
• The distribution network from the Secondary Node to the Toby Box outside the premise.

A full sequence of activities can be seen below:

Phase 1: Survey – initial surveying activity will be conducted in each area, with skilled surveyors deployed to pre-site individual Primary Node areas to provide detailed feedback

Phase 2: Feeder Network – install the feeder network in each area

Phase 3: Toby Box Installation – deploy additional teams to complete enabling works for the distribution network

Phase 4: Distribution Network – enabling teams followed by trenching teams, utilising micro-trenching techniques wherever possible

Phase 5: Testing and Activation – following full installation, same day cable testing and activation will be completed, allowing for backfill using foamed concrete techniques wherever possible.

Scope of Work

The works comprise the FTTP network from the Point of Presence (POP) to the Toby Box outside the premise; specifically:

• The feeder network from the PoP to the Primary Node
• The feeder and distribution network from the Primary Node to the Secondary Node
• The distribution network from the Secondary Node to the Toby Box outside the premise.

Services include:

• Full Hybrid build model capabilities.
• Below-ground Ducting
• Narrow Trenching
• Chamber Construction
• Fibre Cabling
• Splicing and Jointing
• Aerial Network Cabling
• Timber Poles
• Sub Ducting build.

As part of our collaborative delivery partnerships we:

• Works Receipt through our shared Work Management system
• Manage and own the Programme Planning for the whole works programme.
• Undertake pre-site surveying and enabling works.
• Manage the scheduling and works management of all of site activities.
• Project Manage the works through our PMO team.
• Undertake planned and reactive response customer and stakeholder communication after the initial advance client notifications.
• Deliver our blown fibre installation, civils works, cabinet preparation and equipment installation works and our splicing and testing works effectively against baseline targets using our hybrid delivery model
• Manage the warehousing and stock control of all materials.
• Report on all of our outputs
• Provide assurance and data capture information to all agreed requirements.
• Manage commercial closedown including variations within agreed timescales.