Drawing from the Bitesize Fiber “Network Construction” podcast series with Ellie Puls, Greg Ross and Stefan Schneider, here are the top challenges operators face during the build phase and the modern best practices that transform chaos into competitive advantage.
Even before the first trench is dug, many construction projects are already at risk of delays due to outdated paper prints, missing data, and last-minute design changes that crews only discover in the field. Greg shared how often construction teams arrive with plans that no longer match real-world conditions, forcing costly improvisation and rework that slows projects down.
Why this matters:
Paper prints go out of date quickly, especially with daily design changes.
Missing or incorrect data forces costly, reactive decisions on-site.
Stopping work due to missing permits or outdated plans wastes time and budget.
IQGeo best practice: Go digital, go mobile
Equip crews with native mobile access to up-to-date design and permit data.
Eliminate paper dependency to reduce rework and confusion on-site.
Ensure crews have the right data at their fingertips for faster, safer builds.
Episode 1: Tune to to learn how to tackle issues in fiber deployment without the chaos
Permitting remains one of the most common bottlenecks in fiber construction, especially for large-scale builds requiring thousands of permits across different jurisdictions. Greg shared how uncoordinated permit processes stall crews, forcing them to pause construction while waiting for approvals, and how paper-based systems make it difficult to track which permits are ready.
Why this matters:
Disorganized permitting stalls projects, delaying revenue and customer connections.
Paper-based tracking can’t keep up with large-scale builds.
Crews risk shutdowns if permits aren’t available during inspections.
IQGeo best practice: Digitize permitting workflows
Track permits in real time with polygon-based permit management tied to your build plan.
Give field teams instant access to approved permits on-site.
Reduce delays by aligning permitting status with construction sequencing.
Episode 2: From paper-based chaos to digital transformation, discover how smart tools are keeping builds on track
Material availability is often the critical path in construction timelines, and not ordering materials at the right time introduces delays and inconsistencies. Greg explained how waiting for low-level design completion before ordering materials wastes valuable lead time, while Stefan noted that manual redlining and disconnected updates between field and office teams slow project momentum and create frustration.
Why this matters?
Late material ordering delays project starts.
Manual redlining slows updates between field and office teams.
Delays increase costs and frustrate customers and investors.
IQGeo best practice: Automate and align material management
Order materials at the high-level design (HLD) stage to reduce idle time.
Use digital redlining to capture field changes instantly.
Sync updates with ERP and design systems for a smooth, continuous workflow.
Episode 3: From smart planning to real-time approvals, explore how to keep construction moving without delays
AI and computer vision are becoming powerful tools in fiber construction, offering real-time validation and quality checks that reduce rework and site revisits. In the final episode, Ellie, Greg and Stefan discussed how AI can help crews capture accurate as-builts, automatically verify work through photos, and trigger workflow updates when field conditions change, preventing costly mistakes.
Why this matters?
Manual inspections are slow and prone to error.
Missed quality issues lead to rework and wasted truck rolls.
Incomplete as-built data complicates future upgrades and maintenance.
IQGeo best practice: Use AI to enhance field workflows
Deploy AI-powered tools to automate quality checks in real time.
Capture accurate as-built records with photo verification and QR code scans.
Use AI-driven insights to dynamically update tasks and prevent rework.
Episode 4: Explore AI’s real impact on the ground—from automating task planning to boosting as-built accuracy
Operators that adopt digital workflows, real-time mobile data, automated materials management, and AI-enhanced quality control are building fiber networks faster, with lower costs and higher quality, without chaos.
Build faster with fewer delays.
Reduce costs through fewer errors and rework.
Scale consistently with accurate data-driven workflows.
Explore the Bitesize Fiber “Network Construction” podcast series for practical stories and best practices from Ellie Puls, Greg Ross and Stefan Schneider on transforming your construction workflows. From permitting and materials management to AI-enhanced validation, one bite at a time.