ANALYSIS:
Multinet CableRunner LLC (CableRunner) is a company that specializes in building fiber optic networks without trenching by using existing infrastructure such as sanitary sewer systems or stormwater drains to install fiber networks. This technology is said to allow faster installation of fiber networks with a competitive cost advantage, compared to conventional deployment methods.
At its February 15, 2018 meeting, the City Commission placed dual referrals to the Finance and Citywide Projects Committee (FCWPC) and the Neighborhood/Community Affairs Committee (NCAC), to discuss CableRunner and its technology. The item was heard and the dual referrals were approved by the Commission to have Public Works staff begin researching the new technology and understand its capabilities.
At its March 26, 2018 FCWPC meeting, a discussion was heard about CableRunner's suggested approach to implement a 5G method by running the fiber networks through the City's sewer system. It was recommended to have the City's engineering firm, Hazen and Sawyer, review and consider the local conditions in Miami Beach to determine the suitability of installing an in-sewer fiber optic network.
Hazen and Sawyer's analysis came back unfavorable, indicating that the City's sewer system is not suitable for the installation of an in-sewer fiber optic network. The full report is attached.
At its July 18, 2018 meeting, the NCAC invited a CableRunner representative to offer its opinion on the engineering report. While the CableRunner representative was not able to offer enough evidence to rebut the analysis, the representative mentioned there were alternative pipes where the fiber optic network could also be installed. The CableRunner representative requested assistance from the City by providing maps of the stormwater system to analyze for a possible installation to presented in a future NCAC meeting. The discussion concluded with a motion from the Committee to have CableRunner reach out to Hazen and Sawyer, provide them a letter describing in detail how they would address their concerns, and let them respond. To date, there has been nothing further provided to the City by CableRunner.