Deerfield Valley Vermont Communications Union District
In May 2023, Sertex was awarded multiple contracts for the construction, make-ready work, and drop installation for Phase 1 of the DV Fiber GPON passive optical FTTH network. This initiative serves residents and businesses across twenty-four towns in Southeastern Vermont, providing high-speed fiber-to-the-home services, including VoIP, to 5,000 locations—4,290 of which were previously underserved or unserved.
The network construction encompassed over 300 miles of FTTH infrastructure, including One-Touch Make-Ready (OTMR), messenger strand installation, backbone, feeder, and distribution fiber optic cable, fiber distribution hubs, POP locations, service terminals, and comprehensive fiber optic splicing with EXFO-certified testing of the entire fiber plant.
Overcoming Challenges
Our crews overcame significant geographical challenges—navigating mountains, cliffs, swamps, and densely forested areas—to successfully connect residents in remote rural areas of Southeastern Vermont. Even with more than 30% of utility poles in locations inaccessible by standard vehicles, network construction was completed in February 2025. Our linemen utilized specialized equipment and off-road vehicles to climb these poles and install the necessary infrastructure, ensuring FTTH connectivity for previously unserved customers.
Installation and Restoration
Sertex was also awarded the DV Fiber Customer Installation Contract through Great Works Internet (GWI), the network’s ISP provider. Our technicians deliver comprehensive installation services, including:
- Aerial/underground fiber deployment from MST to residences
- NID installation on buildings
- Professional penetration into basements or first floors
- Interior wall-fishing of cables
- Wall plate installation
- ONT and Wi-Fi router provisioning
- Customer education on new equipment
Complete documentation of before/after speeds through the ISP’s work order system
Additionally, Sertex secured the Emergency Restoration Contract for the DV Fiber network to provide 24/7 on-call line crews and fiber technicians with guaranteed response times for outage assistance, troubleshooting, and repairs.
