Dennis Comis, CCP

Huge credit to the directional drilling teams in Washington State—executing FTTH builds in challenging terrain requires not just equipment, but deep technical expertise, coordination, and discipline in the field. This kind of end-to-end underground capability is what separates true infrastructure builders from contractors that only handle pieces of the scope. For operators, developers, or municipalities thinking about underground fiber projects—or looking to de-risk complex builds—I’m always open to connecting and sharing how we approach full-scope delivery at Luck Grove. The demand for reliable, scalable fiber infrastructure is only accelerating, and the right execution model makes all the difference.

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📡 When the LNB fails, the BUC takes the blame — but the graph tells the real story. At one of our VSAT remote sites, we noticed a steady increase in TX CRC errors, while the RX signal appeared stable at ~13 dB. At first glance, it looked like a textbook case of a failing BUC — especially with the sharp spike in transmit errors shown in the graph below. However, upon deeper investigation during the X-POL test, we discovered that the actual root cause was a faulty LNB. 🔍 Here’s what happened: • The LNB had degraded internally, likely due to prolonged exposure to heat. • This caused subtle instability in the received reference signal — not enough to fully drop the RX, but enough to impact synchronization. • As a result, the BUC began transmitting outside optimal TDMA timing, leading to misaligned bursts and CRC errors. ✅ Once the LNB was replaced, the link performance normalized — no BUC replacement was necessary.

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Natalie May represented #UnitiWholesale at the Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference—showing how we turn complex networks into simple, actionable experiences. In “Mapping the Merge: A Customer-Centric Network Experience,” Natalie showcased how ArcGIS Experience Builder integrates Wave, Ethernet, and Dark Fiber into one interactive, filterable view. Our UW Interactive Map spans 240k route miles, 100k+ lit buildings, and 450k near-net locations—helping customers design, quote, and deploy faster with confidence. Innovation and customer experience go hand in hand—and we’re just getting started. #Innovation #BetterTogether #YourTrustedInfrastructurePartner

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Natalie May represented #UnitiWholesale at the Esri Infrastructure Management & GIS Conference—showing how we turn complex networks into simple, actionable experiences. In “Mapping the Merge: A Customer-Centric Network Experience,” Natalie showcased how ArcGIS Experience Builder integrates Wave, Ethernet, and Dark Fiber into one interactive, filterable view. Our UW Interactive Map spans 240k route miles, 100k+ lit buildings, and 450k near-net locations—helping customers design, quote, and deploy faster with confidence. Innovation and customer experience go hand in hand—and we’re just getting started. #Innovation #BetterTogether #YourTrustedInfrastructurePartner

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Satellite may reach the sky—but VTCI Fiber is rooted right here in South Texas. 🌵✨ Faster speeds No data caps Reliable, rain or shine That’s why rural Texans are making the switch to VTCI Fiber—where speed meets dependability. #VTCI #FiberInternet #RuralTexasConnected

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📡 Modulation in VSAT: How Data Travels Over RF In VSAT systems, modulation is the process of converting digital bits into RF symbols that can travel through space to the satellite. Simply put: 👉 Bits become symbols 👉 Symbols become radio waves 👉 Radio waves reach the satellite 🔷 Common Modulation Schemes 🔹 QPSK – Most robust, lowest throughput 🔹 8PSK – Balanced performance 🔹 16QAM – Higher capacity, more sensitive to noise 🔹 APSK – Optimized for satellite efficiency Each step up in modulation increases spectral efficiency — but it also requires higher Eb/N₀ and cleaner link conditions. ⚖️ Modulation Is Always a Trade-Off and modern VSAT platforms are using adaptavie coding and modulation allowing operators to optimize: • Throughput during nominal conditions • Availability during worst-case propagation • Transponder efficiency • SLA compliance 📈 Higher modulation → More data throughput ⚠️ Higher modulation → Lower link margin That’s why modern VSAT networks dynamically adapt modulation based on link quality: ☀️ Clear sky → Higher modulation → Maximum throughput 🌧️ Rain fade → Lower modulation → Link survival 🎯 Why It Matters For satellite engineers, modulation is not just a modem setting — it’s a strategic design decision that directly impacts: ✔ Capacity ✔ Availability ✔ Link margin ✔ User experience

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Precision with Purpose - If you are planning or operating wireless assets in your network, we need to talk. Wireless is no longer just for carriers. In addition to service providers, cities use it to connect smart infrastructure, utilities depend on it for grid monitoring, and enterprises rely on it for private connectivity and control. It has become the invisible thread that ties our digital world together. The real challenge is designing these networks with accuracy and confidence, while ensuring capital is spent wisely and efficiently. That's where Cellular Expert makes a difference. Built on ArcGIS, it gives organizations the tools to model coverage, analyze performance, and optimize every site, all in one connected environment that brings fiber and wireless planning together. I shared more about this in my latest blog "Precision with Purpose: The Geospatial Advantage in Network Planning". Take a look: https://lnkd.in/gDXTdN4P If your work depends on wireless, Waypoint 33 can help you align people, data, and design so that every connection serves a purpose. #WirelessNetworks #NetworkPlanning #PrivateNetworks #DigitalInfrastructure #Telecom #GIS #DigitalTwin

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