Fiber for Breakfast 2023 Week 29 – Are You Ready for Make-Ready?

As the U.S. prepares to make an unprecedented investment in both energy and broadband infrastructure, it will be important to recognize the role utility pole infrastructure can play. Whether a company chooses to undertake its own broadband deployments or opts to facilitate deployments by others, the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program prioritizes fiber broadband deployments. These deployments can be less costly and completed more quickly if the fiber is run on existing utility poles. However, these poles may require a make-ready process before they can support fiber deployments. In this Fiber for Breakfast, Finley Engineering’s Sean Middleton, Director, Strategy and Operations, will discuss the implications and requirements for utilities, including potential options to leverage federal funding to modernize electric power infrastructure.

Webinar Guest:

Sean Middleton, Director, Strategy and Operations, Finley Engineering, is an accomplished Professional Engineer, with more than 25 years of experience. Sean’s expertise includes electrical engineering, distribution system operations management, design and maintenance of electrical systems, and consulting on many of today’s regulatory and compliance issues. With his background in the development of broadband networks, he helps energy and telecom clients in meeting RUS requirements and standards, staying up to date on legislative funding, providing project management support, wireless, FTTP, and consulting on smart grid initiatives. Sean received his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Bradley University and his MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield. He is a member of the IEEE including the Power, Communication, and Photonic Societies and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE). He previously sat on the Cyber Security Member Advisory Group for the Cooperative Research Network (CRN/ NRECA) and serves on the State Board of Professional Engineers for the IL Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.