Ting Citywide Fiber-to-Home Project

Building a citywide fiber-to-home network will expand high-speed internet service options for Alexandria residents.
Page updated on May 28, 2024 at 1:05 PM
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TING INTERNET INSTALLING FIBER NETWORK IN CITY STREETS

Graphic introducing Alexandria to internet service provider Ting (Photo of city skyline with Hello Alexandria text.

Ting, a newly authorized internet provider in Alexandria, is building a citywide fiber-to-home network that will expand high-speed internet service options for residents.

Construction on the fiber network began in the summer of 2022 and is expected to connect more than 90,000 addresses across Alexandria. For a more detailed timeline for construction, visit Ting’s construction blog at tinginternet.com/alxupdates.

To learn more about Ting and the Alexandria project, visit tinginternet.com/alexandria.

To learn more about other City broadband initiatives, visit alexandriava.gov/Broadband.

Construction Impacts and Mitigation

The installation of Ting’s fiber optic network will require the company to cut a trench within the majority of the City’s roadway network. This will be done using special techniques and equipment in a process called microtrenching. Microtrenching starts by making a narrow trench (approximately 1.5” wide) parallel to the curb and gutter within the public roadway. Just like any other construction activity, there will be some small impacts to the public as the fiber optic network is installed within the Alexandria's roadway network. Impacts to the public will be kept as minimal as possible; construction mitigation efforts are outlined below.

Watch the "Why we microtrench" video for more information on the microtrenching construction technique being used by Ting for this project.

  • Noise – Trenching can be noisy; to help mitigate the impacts of noise, all construction activities must comply with the City of Alexandria’s Noise Control Ordinance (Title 11, Chapter 5), which permits construction activities to occur between the following hours:

    • Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

    • Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

    • Sunday: Restricted  

Please note that there may be limited occurrences when Ting will be permitted to work outside of the permitted hours above due to technical limitations.

  • Dust – During the construction process, Ting will be vacuuming up as much debris as possible to help mitigate dust impacts to the public.
  • Reserved Parking – For short periods of time, on-street parking may need to be restricted to allow for the installation of the fiber network. Parking will not be closed for more than 72 hours at a time. Further, the City has required Ting to notify residents of parking impacts two weeks in advance via a mailed flier, and then a second time the week prior to the parking impacts with a door hanger notice on each affected property. "No parking" signs/cones are required to be posted 72 hours in advance, and ahead of the weekend if work is to take place early in the week.
  • Limited Adjustments to Traffic Flow – At times, traffic flow will need to be routed around the installation of the Ting Fiber Optic Network. All traffic disruptions will be coordinated and approved by the City of Alexandria, and any temporary adjustments to traffic flow will meet City standards.
  • Any Damage to Existing Improvements – Ting will be required to repair or replace any damage to existing improvements that may occur with this project. This will be overseen by the City’s team of inspectors.
  • Encroachments into Private Property – Ting Internet is not authorized to enter, encroach into, or install infrastructure inside of private property without express consent from the owner of the private property.

Schedule/Timeline 

Ting Internet has committed to installing its Fiber Optic Network throughout the entire City of Alexandria. In order to accomplish this, Ting has broken the project into 5 major areas (see map below). The plan is to install fiber in each area in sequential order 1 through 5; however, this schedule may change based on constraints or demand. For the latest update on the construction schedule and timing, visit Ting’s construction blog at tinginternet.com/alxupdates.

If you have questions for Ting Internet regarding its construction, please contact Ting at 1.855.801.5856 or tinginternet.com/constructionexperience.

If you have any questions for City of Alexandria Staff, please contact us using Alex311 (alexandriava.gov/Alex311).

Map showing the Ting fiber internet project area

Easement vs. Right-of-Way (ROW)

Installation of below ground utility boxes​​​​

​​​Ting will be installing utilities boxes (handholes) within the public right-of-way. Sometimes these boxes need to be installed within the public sidewalk. When a box needs to be placed within the sidewalk, Ting will temporarily restore the sidewalk around the installed box with asphalt. Ting will then comeback after a short period of time and remove the temporary asphalt and install a concrete sidewalk that meets the City’s construction standards. This is done for logistical reasons and Ting will be actively trying to minimize the total area of temporary sidewalks throughout the project.

Permitted Work Area for Ting Internet

Ting has signed a franchise agreement with the City which permits them to place their infrastructure within the City’s public right-of-way. Ting Internet is not authorized to enter, encroach into, or install infrastructure inside of private property without express consent from the owner of the private property they are entering. The diagram below depicts a few possible arrangements of the public right-of-way and private properties. This is not an exhaustive list but is the most common scenarios. If you believe Ting has placed any portion of their infrastructure within your private property, please contact Ting at 1.844.856.4994 or tinginternet.com/constructionexperience. You can also submit an Alex311 service request.

Easement vs ROW