Storm Preparedness WorkshopStorm Preparedness Workshop

Verizon Florida, LLCMay 23, 2007

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Presentation Overview

Verizon’s new fiber network

Pole inspection and replacement

Disaster planning, response and recovery

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Verizon Florida actively maintains its network and invests heavily to ensure network reliability. A substantial portion of the network has already been placed underground.

Maintaining a sound, reliable network is critical in today’s highly competitive market.

Verizon has spent nearly $750 M since 2004 deploying fiber facilities underground in Florida.

Verizon will pass approximately 1.3 M households by 2010 out of a projected 1.7 M in our territory.

Verizon’s New Fiber Network

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Verizon’s fiber-optic network is storm hardened – 99.9% underground means nothing can “fall” on the network and interrupt service during adverse weather conditions. Fiber itself is impervious to water and keeps functioning even when wet.

Restoration is substantially faster than with copper and splicing just one fiber cable immediately puts anywhere from one to hundreds of customers back in service.

Verizon’s fiber facilities deliver substantial benefits to consumers while increasing our network’s ability to withstand storm conditions.

Verizon’s New Fiber Network

Storm Hardened Infrastructure

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Underground Fiber Placement

Fiber deployment is widespread and is impervious to weather.

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Fiber Hub and Terminal

Fiber from central offices connects to distribution Hubs then on to distribution terminals that serve four customers each.

Fiber Distribution Hub Fiber Distribution Terminal

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ONT and Battery Back-Up

Battery Back-up Provides Emergency Power to the ONT for up to 8 Hours.

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Fiber drops connect the distribution terminal to the ONT mounted at the customer's Location.

ONT Battery Back-Up

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Pole Inspection and Replacement

Verizon has been aggressively inspecting telephone poles throughout its service territory.

Over 7,700 pole inspections have been completed since September 2006 and 2,200 are being replaced.

All poles failing inspection are replaced and not treated.

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Verizon has substantial experience in disaster preparedness, response procedures and best practices.

Service protection and restoration strategies are an integral part of Verizon’s system wide network management and operations.

The Southeast Region Control Center (RCC) has access to Verizon’s nationwide resources such as additional equipment, manpower and supplies.

Verizon’s wireless resources have been used extensively during previous disasters.

Disaster Planning, Response and Recovery

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Verizon dispatches its workforce by pre-assigned grid after it has been determined by the appropriate County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that it is safe to start assessments.

Damage assessments for each grid are transmitted in near real time to Verizon’s RCC.

After assessments are completed, teams of technicians are dispatched to repair damage and restore service in affected grids.

Disaster Planning, Response and Recovery

This icon represents: Currently doing the damage assessment

Key Indicators

Customer reported trouble

Damage assessment underway

Construction underway

Construction completed