Construction issues
General support
Connecting a Community
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Engineering, Easements and Permits
We start by laying out the network internally, considering easements and rights-of-way for your neighborhood. Then we work with city and county officials to acquire the right permits and to get their guidance on how they want the work done. Once a plan is approved by the city, we partner with local contractors to begin the construction process.
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Identifying Utilities
Before our contractor begins working, they will call Kansas 811 (Dig Safe) to mark all public utilities. In order avoid damage to other utilities that run through your yard, like sprinklers and invisible dog fences, you will need to mark private utilities.
- Public Utilities: Utility companies mark the location of utility lines up to the user’s service connection or meter but not past it. Lines beyond this point are considered to be part of the customer’s property, so they usually aren’t marked by public locating services.
- Private Utilities: You will need to mark all private utilities within the easement on your property. Private utilities include; Lawn sprinkler systems, Invisible dog fences, Private water lines, Landscape lighting, Private electrical lines (power to outbuildings, yard/landscape lighting, etc.). Please take care of this as soon as you see public utilities being marked or flagged in your neighborhood. Watch this video for help in marking your private utilities.
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Construction
At this stage, we’re ready to build our 100% fiber network. IdeaTek works with experienced construction partners who specialize in the construction of fiber optic infrastructure. To learn more about the details of our contractors and the underground fiber construction process, click here.
Before they begin the project, our contractors will place door hangers around the neighborhood – signaling the construction process will begin in the next few days.
We will also send a letter a few weeks before we begin building to let you know that construction will soon occur in your neighbor. The letter will will include the name of the contractor, plus information on the type of construction that will occur, how to market private utilities and our contact information.
We install our fiber network either by burying the fiber or hanging it on utility poles.
When you see our splicing technicians working, you will know that your city’s project is close to completion. If you haven't already, this would be the time to sign up for service and schedule your install!
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Completion and Clean Up
When construction is complete, we'll make sure your lawn looks as immaculate as ever. Our goal is to be as minimally invasive to your property as possible during the construction process. We only work with contractors who abide by our desire to restore your property to its original condition. However, during construction, some minor tracking on lawns may occur. If major damage does occur, please contact IdeaTek as soon as possible to report the damage. Please call us at 620-543-5555 or email [email protected].
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Internet Freedom
Once your area goes live, our install technicians will begin connecting individual homes and businesses. If you have already signed up for our service, you will receive an email when your area is connected. Our team will reach out to schedule your install – or you can call us to ensure you get on the calendar quickly.
Learn more about our services on our residential page or sign up today!
Private Property Access
Our franchises, which are issued by state or local government, give us the right to build our network in public rights-of-ways and easements. Public right of way is property dedicated to the city for public infrastructure like roadways, storm sewers, sidewalks and street lights.
The state also allows utility provider to use the public right of way for their facilities, like electricity, water, gas and internet.
Please make all Public Utility Easements accessible to our contractors. This includes your front yard, backyard and alleyways. Also, if you have a locked gate, you will need to make arrangements to give contractors access.
Note: Not all properties have utility easements in the same location.
Private Utility Easements
You will need to mark all private utilities within the easement on your property. This can be done when you see public utilities being marked or flagged in your neighborhood.
Types of private utilities:
- Lawn sprinkler systems
- Invisible dog fences
- Private water lines
- Landscape lighting
- Private electrical lines (power to outbuildings, yard/landscape lighting, etc.)
FAQs
It takes several months to plan and execute a fiber build. Once construction starts, it typically takes four to six months to complete a project in its entirety.