FI Telephone: Fort Project

Fishers Island Telephone Company, under the leadership of Plant Supervisor Bryan Marteeny, has embarked on what they refer to as the Fort Project. Once completed, the result will be improved Internet connectivity and clearer phone service, with each building having its own service drop.

In June 2014 the company began preparing to improve the DSL in the Fort Wright neighborhood residences and nearby businesses. The work to survey line layouts, make notes, locate and inspect the existing lines, map the area, audit phone connection, and speak with individuals and business owners about their current service and future needs is nearly complete.

To date the Fort area has relied on lead cable lines to deliver phone and Internet service, some dating back to the Fort Wright days – long before anyone had heard of the Internet. Many of these lead cables run from manhole to manhole down the back road behind the houses on Whistler Avenue, and beyond.

The next step in the project this fall focuses on replacing the lead cable with modern PIC (polyurethane insulation cable) that carries 100 pairs of wires and will service customers individually. The PIC cable is superior for carrying DSL.

PIC installation will be coupled with visits to each NID (network interface device), the gray phone connection box for each property – and the location from where everything is serviced. These NID visits will involve examining the property’s current systems, replacing or reusing the box (depending on its age and condition), and re-grounding – which takes electric ‘noise’ off the system and protects against lightening strike interruptions. The NID will also be moved to an exterior building wall if appropriate for servicing.

Fishers Island Telephone Company will notify customers of any upcoming service interruption, which may be necessary for short periods of time, as the PIC replacement work progresses and DSL service is moved to the new cable.

End result: A modernized cable plant capable of supporting today’s high speed technology.

Please direct any questions to Bryan Marteeny at bmarteeny@fishersisland.net