Why “Just Build More Fiber” Is the AI-Era Myth

How a utility-grade Dense Wave Division Multiplexing (DWDM) backbone delivered 99.9995% reliability without waiting on new fiber builds

SUMMARY

When your communications network hiccups, the grid doesn’t just “slow down”—operators lose visibility, automation gets compromised, and storm response becomes harder right when the public needs utilities most. To increase bandwidth and resilience without the cost and lead time of building new fiber, KAMO Power and Tacoma Public Utilities modernized constrained fiber routes using DWDM. The result: true route diversity, seamless failover during severe weather, and sustained 99.9995% network reliability since 2013.

CLIENT BACKGROUND

KAMO Power is a generation and transmission cooperative serving member co-ops across Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas—territory where tornadoes and ice storms are part of the operating reality. Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) is a municipal utility that was modernizing telecommunications to keep pace with growing operational demands. In both cases, communications reliability directly underpins mission-critical functions like SCADA, AMI/metering data movement, and everyday corporate operations.

CHALLENGE

Both utilities needed more network capacity and stronger redundancy—but their fiber routes were constrained. The traditional fix—build new fiber—was expensive and slow, commonly ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000+ per route depending on length and complexity. Meanwhile, reliability expectations were only rising: storm seasons don’t wait for construction timelines, and utilities can’t afford single points of failure when communities depend on continuous service.

There was also a human challenge: a “we’ve always done it this way” mindset, with teams understandably gravitating toward familiar microwave solutions and skepticism toward DWDM technology they hadn’t used before.

SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Expand bandwidth on constrained fiber paths without building new fiber routes.

• Create true route diversity with automatic, seamless failover.

• Support mission-critical workloads (SCADA, AMI/metering, corporate communications).

• Improve weather resilience during recurring storm events.

• Deliver a cost-effective, scalable solution that can grow with demand.

SOLUTION

The project implemented DWDM on existing fiber infrastructure—essentially sending multiple “colors” (wavelengths) of light down a single fiber strand, multiplying capacity without laying new fiber. The architecture used Nokia DWDM equipment to enable the switching and routing required for seamless failover. At KAMO, Juniper equipment was also deployed as part of the broader network design.

This approach didn’t just add “more bandwidth.” It changed the reliability equation: instead of hoping a single path holds up through storms, the network was designed to route around failures automatically. That way, operational visibility and control could remain steady even when conditions weren’t.

IMPLEMENTATION

Work began at KAMO in 2010 and followed a phased rollout over roughly two years for primary deployment. More than a dozen fiber paths were upgraded while maintaining operational continuity.

Because adoption friction was real, the team leaned on practical proof. A live demonstration of the Nokia DWDM/MPLS capabilities helped shift the conversation from abstract debate to concrete confidence. Vendor coordination, procurement, installation, testing, staff training, and the establishment of monitoring/failover procedures rounded out the delivery, with TPU following a similar methodology.

RESULTS

The outcomes were measurable and durable:

• 99.9995% network reliability achieved starting in 2013 and sustained to the present day at KAMO.

• Seamless failover during tornado and ice storm events—validated when severe weather hit and service remained uninterrupted.

• Strong cost avoidance: DWDM averaged ~$100,000 per path (equipment + labor) versus $250,000 to $1,000,000+ for new fiber construction (roughly 60–90% avoided per route).

• Scalable capacity: positioned to expand bandwidth without repeating major construction efforts.

  
  

LONG-TERM VALUE

This modernization did more than “upgrade telecom.” It strengthened the invisible infrastructure that keeps the grid dependable. Reliable communications underpin faster outage detection, safer switching, better storm response coordination, and more consistent service—especially in regions where extreme weather is a yearly certainty.

At KAMO, the sustained performance over a decade is the point. This wasn’t a short-lived win. It became a durable foundation for expanding SCADA and metering needs across member cooperatives. And even when additional fiber expansion eventually became feasible, DWDM continued to maximize capacity on all routes.

KEY LEARNINGS

• Live demonstrations often beat slide decks in utility change management—seeing failover work in real time builds trust faster than specs on paper.

• “Not invented here” resistance is common; sometimes leadership has to make the call and let operational results do the persuading.

• DWDM wasn’t a bleeding-edge gamble—it was an underused tool in utility environments, held back more by familiarity than capability.

• Route diversity is not a “nice-to-have.” During severe weather, it’s the difference between operational continuity and cascading disruption.

• A phased deployment approach reduces risk, preserves continuity, and allows teams to build confidence as reliability improvements become visible.

  
  

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