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Fiber internet is considered a top choice for fast, reliable connection, but many multifamily and single-family developers are unfamiliar with the installation process and what it requires, said Jason Carroll, lead project manager at Quantum Fiber.
“Fiber deployment is a highly coordinated process and journey, but the outcome is worth it in the end when a resident can move in and instantly connect to internet service,” Carroll said. “My role is to help lead external teams and my teams through each install step and solve for whatever challenges may arise.”
The Five-Stage Fiber Journey
In an article posted by the Business Journal in 2023, Quantum Fiber sales engineers Mike Janssen and Brandon Lundeen and Senior Service Delivery Manager Eric Whisler broke down the five stages of fiber installation and how long they take on average. These stages are:
- Develop a tailored solution for your property: 30-45 days
- Request for installation permits and procure materials: 10-30+ days
- Off-site construction: 30 days
- On-site construction: 30 days
- Implementation and activation: 40-60 days
While these five stages may stay the same for each project, taking the tailored solution from plan to reality will look different for each unique property.
Equally unique are the challenges of each installation. Carroll walked Bisnow through some of the most memorable challenges he’s encountered during fiber installations.
No. 1 Hurdle For Multifamily: Communication Breakdown
Carroll said that the first step on the fiber installation journey always involves a kick-off call with the contract signers — the owners and developers — to ensure that everyone is on the same page and understands the requirements. However, as time progresses, the details and timing can be forgotten or not fully relayed to construction crews.
“We commonly provide a microduct, which is a prefilled small conduit about the size of a drinking straw that has our fiber-optic cable already in it,” Carroll said. “In void of communication and coordination, the microduct may not get pulled through the inner walls or ceiling at the right time, which can create problems down the line.”
He said that, thankfully, Quantum Fiber is usually involved early enough in the building process that the team can observe progress and help identify the installation step needing completion before continuing the project.
No. 1 Hurdle For Developments With Multiple Builders: Too Many Cooks
Developers of single-family lots may enlist several different contractors and builders, adding to the complexity of information sharing and installation stage alignment, Carroll said.
“For single-family projects, you could have 20 to 30 different builders out there who do not know the requirements for fiber installation,” he said. “They need to place a conduit outside the customer’s house, sometimes even in the neighbor’s backyard, and if you don’t stay on top of that, it can be costly and hard to correct later.”
Even seemingly unrelated construction tasks could impact the deployment. Carroll’s on-site team has overcome situations such as landscapers accidentally cutting fiber lines and building crews paving driveways ahead of schedule.
“For these projects, I am continually checking my real-time reports. Imagine a sonar blips on a screen as activities happen, that’s about what it feels like for me to stay on top of the progress of the homes,” said Carroll. “Also, my team is my eyes and ears. I’m their first call when unexpected changes or progress are taking place. I’m ready to help find an answer to resolve the issue.”
Worst-Case Scenario Hurdles
While some of the more common fiber installation setbacks happen due to simple miscommunication, sometimes there are greater challenges that no one could fully prepare for.
Carroll told the story of an apartment building that had its roof collapse during construction in the wake of a major snowstorm.
“Luckily, no one was living there, but everything was destroyed,” Carroll said.
Instead of throwing in the towel in the face of this natural disaster, Carroll’s careful monitoring allowed for an agile response. The project was rescheduled and completed at a later date.
In the end, Carroll explained, the success of a fiber installation journey comes down to finding the right partner who will see the job through the journey. This may sound simple, but execution is everything.
“We get involved with each project from day one and monitor every step through our site tracker, from permits and inventory collection all the way to completion,” he said. “The right tools paired with regular communication can ensure that every project can have fiber internet up and running on day one.”
This article was produced in collaboration between Quantum Fiber Connected Communities and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.
Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.
All content is for informational purposes only, may require user’s additional research, and is provided “as is” without any warranty, condition of any kind (express or implied), or guarantee of outcome or results. Use of this content is at user’s own risk. All third-party company and product or service names referenced in this article are for identification purposes only and do not imply endorsement or affiliation with Quantum Fiber. If Quantum Fiber products and offerings are referenced in the content, they are accurate as of the date of issue. Quantum Fiber services are not available everywhere. Quantum Fiber service usually means 100% fiber-optic network to your location but, in limited circumstances, Quantum Fiber may need to deploy alternative technologies coupled with a non-fiber connection from a certain point (usually the curb) to your location in order to provide the advertised download speeds. ©2025 Q Fiber, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Quantum, Quantum Fiber and Quantum Fiber Internet are trademarks of Quantum Wireless LLC and used under license to Q Fiber, LLC.
