Protecting Time-to-Revenue with ILA Hut Deployment along 700‑Mile Fiber Backbone

SITUATION

Zayo was expanding its national backbone with a 700-mile hyperscale overbuild from Atlanta to Dallas. The build supports accelerating cloud and AI-driven traffic between major data center markets. The corridor included:

• Approximately 700 miles of fiber
• 16 in-line amplifier (ILA) shelter locations
• Signal regeneration approximately every 50 miles
• A compressed 12-month deployment window
• Customer commitments tied to on-schedule activation

Within that expansion, three ILA huts required coordinated civil construction and inside plant (ISP) integration aligned to the broader corridor schedule. Zayo was already partnering with Network Connex on outside plant (OSP) services. As timelines tightened, Network Connex was engaged to execute civil and inside plant (ISP) scope on these ILA projects as part of the overall backbone deployment.

THE COMPLEXITY

Each ILA hut required precise coordination between civil readiness and ISP integration within the constraints of fixed regeneration intervals and corridor sequencing.

All work had to integrate cleanly into the larger backbone schedule. Misalignment at the site level could impact downstream activation milestones. At this scale, sequencing and execution discipline directly affect deployment momentum.

EXECUTION WITHIN A NATIONAL PROGRAM

Network Connex delivered civil and ISP scope on three ILA sites along the long-haul route in alignment
with Zayo’s broader backbone deployment.

Engineering, civil, ISP, and OSP construction teams coordinated against defined program milestones to maintain site readiness and activation targets. Materials flow, installation timelines, and validation were managed to support on-schedule integration into the live corridor.

The focus was clear: execute without introducing operational risk into a
revenue-sensitive backbone build.

---

THE IMPACT

On three mission-critical ILA huts within a 700-mile hyperscale overbuild, Network Connex delivered:

• Coordinated civil and ISP execution aligned to route milestones
• Controlled sequencing that maintained deployment momentum
• Integrated logistics to avoid rework or delay
• Optical installation and validation supporting route activation

The result: field execution that supported backbone activation timelines and protected time-to-revenue.

CONTINUING THE PARTNERSHIP

Following this deployment, Network Connex continues to support Zayo’s backbone expansion efforts across additional markets, delivering end-to-end support for their national deployment objectives. As demand accelerates, maintaining alignment between field execution and activation milestones remains central to meeting customer commitments.

Scaling our national backbone requires disciplined execution. Network Connex delivered a programmatic approach that managed complexity and mitigated risk.

Jason Jorgensen, Senior VP of Long Haul Deployment, Zayo

MAINTAINING ALIGNMENT IN NATIONAL BACKBONE DEPLOYMENT

Long-haul interconnect deployments are capital-intensive and schedule sensitive. Alignment through all phases of site readiness, civil construction, ISP fit-out, and activation is essential. Network Connex supports fiber network owners and operators with coordinated end-to-end support designed to integrate cleanly into large overbuild programs.

Why Fiber Network Owners Choose Network Connex

• End-to-end ILA project delivery—site acquisition, civil, power, fiber and fit-out under one accountable team
• In-house crews—experienced, safety-certified professionals who self-perform critical work
• Schedule control—coordinated phases that eliminate handoff gaps and protect deployment timelines
• Trusted nationwide—proven track record with hyperscalers and leading fiber providers

Build Your Next Route Right

Learn more and meet with our team to talk through your next project: