High-performance fibre-optic network for the municipality of Sissach

Client benefits
• As GC, Axians takes on overall planning, coordination and construction management from a single source
• Stable and instantaneous data transfer
• Improved data protection and invulnerability to external influences

Client
Elektra Sissach (sissanet)

Sector
Electricity/telecommunications

Solutions
Fibre-optic network construction

Project background
Sissach is a political municipality and also the capital of the district of the same name in the canton of Basel-Country in Switzerland. As the old coaxial network had to be replaced, Elektra Sissach is building a fibre-optic network for the municipality of Sissach, which has a population of around 6,600, with the motto “sissanet – the fibre-optic network for everyone” and with Axians as the general contractor. All properties will be connected to the network via Fibre to the Home (FTTH) – a total of 1,600 buildings (BEP) and 3,800 utilisation units (OTO sockets).

Project requirements & goals
Elektra Sissach was faced with the decision to expand and modernise the existing, ageing coaxial network or to invest in fibre-optic technology straight away. Alongside the many customer benefits of a high-speed fibre-optic network, it was also important to enable automatic reading of the smart meters (electricity meters). As such, it was an easy decision for Elektra Sissach to invest in the reliable, bug-proof and low-radiation fibre-optic technology.

Construction & project result
Development, installation and migration to fibre-optic products will take 3 years in total and is due for completion by the end of 2023. This involves successful implementation of AON, PON and RFoG technologies. At the heart of the new fibre-optic network is the technical room in central Sissach, which serves as a point of presence (PoP) from which everything is controlled.

The project is split into three phases across various zones.

”We have been able to successfully complete phase 1, the development, thanks to excellent analysis, engineering, fibre planning and construction management by Axians. We are pleased that we can continue to count on the support of the specialists at Axians in the upcoming phases.”, said Stephan Jurt, Managing Director of Elektra Sissach.

After completion of the pilot phase in May 2021, it took just three months to connect the first customers to the fibre-optic network. Zone 2 is set for completion by August 2022, and work on the final zone will commence before the summer holidays. As the general contractor, Axians took on the entire FTTH project with direct point-to-point rollout, including consulting and engineering, planning and realisation, maintenance and upkeep as well as service hosting.

”Accurate information and analyses provided by our team meant all subcontractors could carry out work without issues”, said Roger Hollenstein, referring to the successful progression of the project.

And there’s more good news: The fibre-optic connection and the construction of the riser zone, including the outlets (OTO), are completely free of charge for existing sissanet customers. This means that users benefit not only from rapid data transmission, but also enhanced data protection and stability.