Introduction
Over 10 years supporting Saudi Telecom Company's (STC) national FTTH rollout, I learned invaluable lessons about large-scale telecommunications infrastructure projects.
Planning Phase
Work Breakdown Structure
A proper WBS is the foundation of any successful rollout. We divided the network into regions, then into segments, then into individual sites.
Schedule Management
Using Primavera P6 and MS Project, we maintained master schedules with thousands of activities across multiple regions.
Execution Challenges
Supply Chain
Fiber optic cable availability was a constant challenge. We needed to coordinate with vendors months in advance.
permits and Right-of-Way
Municipal permits for trenching and laying fiber were unpredictable. Building relationships with local authorities was essential.
Quality Control
Each segment needed testing and commissioning before activation. We developed standardized QA checklists.
Key Takeaways
Invest in planning — 80% of problems can be avoided with proper upfront planning, Build relationships — vendor and authority relationships are as important as technical skills, Monitor relentlessly — KPI dashboards and weekly progress reports kept everyone aligned, and Embrace technology — our MS Access VBA ERP system saved countless hours of manual tracking.
Conclusion
FTTH rollout at national scale is a marathon, not a sprint. Success requires disciplined project controls, strong relationships, and the right technology stack.