Fiber|Laser News - FCC Approves SouthernTel Plan to Build North Carolina-D.C. Fiber Optic System

Sep 29, 2026

Biweekly optical fiber and laser technology reporting on telecom infrastructure expansion, focusing on the FCC-approved SouthernTel plan to build a fiber optic system linking North Carolina and Washington, D.C. The issue describes network access progress through railroad partnerships, outlines routed right-of-way across multiple states, and summarizes planned construction and engineering timelines. It also notes deal scale and ongoing negotiations while detailing projected mileage and service infrastructure growth.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Highlights Inside

Northern Telecom/Daewoo Telecom Deal…

United Telecom Cuts Conrail Deal…

Fiber/Laser Beams…

Coburn Receives FDA Approval

Special Report: Medical Lasers

Bell Atlantic Has Big Fiber Plans

FCC Approves SouthernTel Plan to Build North Carolina-D.C. Fiber Optic System

ISSN 0275-6099 Fiber|Laser News。 The Biweekly Report on Optical Fiber and Laser TechnologyPhillips Publishing,Inc.Actionable Information for the 80s | Dear Execut ive:
CNCP TELECOMMUNICATIONS PLANS TORONTO-MONTREAL-OTTAWA FIBER LINK
CNCP Telecommunications intends to build a 500-mile,high-speed fiber optic system
linking Toronto,Montreal and Ottawa,and eventually set up a nationwide fiber optic
system in Canada.CNCP is a joint venture between the Canadian National and Canadian
Pacific railroads.
Bids for the project's first phase,joining the 3 cities,are expected by month's
end."Selected suppliers"have already received bids,CNCP spokesman Brian Kilgore told
us.Construction is to begin next spring.
The project is expected to cost $20 million and include 24 repe aters at 18-mile
intervals.The system will have a transmission rate of "at least 405 Mbps,"Kilgore
said,noting that market information indicates there is a customer base for the service.
Under Canadian law,the venture must encourage resellers to come in.
CNCP plans to install a nationwide fiber optic system eventually.While CNCP already
has one of the most advanced and longest microwave networks in the wor1d,"the fiber sys-
tem will be more efficient than microwave,"says CNCP President Jack Sutherland.The
network,as Sutherland envisions it,will be able to carry conventional voice and video
traffic,written message signals ranging from traditional to ultra-fast teletext,data and
telecon ferencing.
The first phase will use 12-fiber cable capable of carrying 30,000 voice channels
with the ability to grow to 120,000 voice channels.Smaller towns,including Oshawa,
Belleville,Kingston,Brockville and Cornwall,will also be serviced by the system.
CNCP has asked the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Cormission(CRTC)
for permission to install a long-distance telephone system.Kilgore said CNCP's situation
is similar to MCI's in the United States in that it is trying to gain government approval
to interconnect with the established monopoly providing telephone service in Canada.But
even if CNCP receives CRTC approval,it would be able to interconnect its fiber system
only with telcos in the 3 Canadian provinces of Ontario,Quebec and British Columbia.
Other provinces,including Manitoba,Saskatchewan and Alberta,regulate and own their own
telephone companies.
CNCP is a legal partnership that has been in force since 1980。The Canadian National
and Canadian Pacific are the 2 major railroads in Canada and between them they can provide
the right-of-way for a nationwide system.
CNCP's net income in 1983 was $12.5 million,up $1.7 million from the previous year.
Revenues were $315 million.
CNCP disputed claims by Bell Canada that long-distance competition is going to result
in higher rates for local service.CNCP has promised to pay whatever extra cost may be
incurred in the form of compensation to users,Kilgore said.
While noting that much of Canada is rural,Kilgore told us it is important to service
Vancouver on the West Coast and that a nationwide system is necessary."Once you get a
signal that is fiber,it makes sense to make the ent ire network fiber,"he said. | | --- | | Highlights Inside
Northern Telecom/Daewoo Telecom Deal… 5
United Telecom Cuts Conrail Deal………2
Fiber/Laser Beams…………… …6-7
Coburn Receives FDA Approval ………3
Special Report:Medical Lasers…………4
Bell Atlantic Has Big Fiber Plans……8 | …AND AUTHORIZES 3 FIBER PROVIDERS # FCC APPROVES SOUTHERNTEL PLAN TO BUILD NORTH CAROLINA-D.C.FIBER OPTIC SYSTEM FlberlLaser Nows (ISSN 0275-6099)is published biweeky by Philps Publishing,Inc,7315 Wisconsin Avenue,Suite 1200N,Bethesda,MD 20814.Phone:301/986-0666.Telex:358148 Publlsher:Thomas L.PhillipsBusiness Manager:Robert S.KingSenlo

FAQs

What approval is discussed for the SouthernTel fiber optic plan?

The article states that the FCC approves the SouthernTel plan to build a fiber optic system in North Carolina and Washington, D.C.

How does the report describe progress toward nationwide right-of-way?

It explains that United Telecom signs with Consolidated Rail Corp. for access to additional right-of-way, advancing its goal for a larger network.

What routes and service area are mentioned for the railroad-access network?

The report lists Conrail routes crossing multiple states, and it indicates that engineering and construction activities are beginning for planned network segments along those routes.

Sep 29, 2026

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