CITY OF OAKLAND

FIBER-OPTIC NETWORK
MASTER PLAN
FINAL DRAFT
May 2014

Executive Summary
High-speed connectivity is an essential part of a modern City to deliver information necessary for various City
services and the public. Fiber-optic cables are currently the fastest and most efficient way to provide these
high-speed connections, and various City divisions have led their own fiber-optic installation projects over the
past 10 years. Typically, these projects have not been coordinated with each other, resulting in a disjointed
network, and some of the facilities are constrained or isolated from the rest of the City because they are not
fully integrated. The City needs to create a continuously connected network that supports high-speed
connectivity and future growth. The City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan documents and evaluates
the existing City fiber-optic infrastructure and network, and establishes priorities for a strategic approach to
implementing projects and policies that will strengthen the Citys IT network, and position the City for strategic
and methodical expansion of the system in the future.
This report finds that there is a lack of fiber connections in use to several key City buildings, including a
downtown Information Services Division (ISD) network that is reaching capacity. Also, there are only a few fiber
connections to regional agencies, much developed on an ad-hoc basis. On the positive side, Port of Oakland
and Transportation Services Division installed fiber-optic cables have current unused capacity, and there are
current and upcoming fiber projects in the City of Oakland (led by both City divisions and other agencies) that
would address City needs. This construction should be harnessed to meet the Citys vision for a connected
City.
Identified short-term priorities include the following:

Supporting and improving coordination among various City fiber projects and private-public
partnerships.

Providing fiber connections to key City buildings, including Downtown Area, Eastmont Substation, and
911 Center

Supporting fiber installation within the Council-identified Fiber Optic Network Pilot Project Area

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page i

Recommended Short-term Projects and their benefits are summarized below

No.
1

Project
City Fiber-Optic Coordination
Committee

City Policy to automatically

include fiber and conduit
installation in construction
projects
Eastmont Substation fiber
connection
MSC/ 911 Center fiber
connection
City Hall to PAB alternate fiber
connection
Pilot Project support

Caltrans EBSC fiber connection

3
4
5

Benefits
Bring together various City divisions
Single unit to coordinate fiber sharing, buildout, and
policy
Raises profile of fiber-optic network installation
Improve coordination among City divisions

Improve network redundancy

Reduce leased communication costs
Improve network redundancy
Reduce leased communication costs
Improve network redundancy
Alternate path away from AT&T manhole at City Hall
Support business development
Fiber connection to Oakland Airport
Improve Regional connectivity

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page ii

Contents
Introduction ..........................................................................................................................................................................................4
Existing Conditions ...........................................................................................................................................................................5
Information Services Division (ISD) ...................................................................................................................................5
Transportation Services Division (TSD) ...........................................................................................................................5
Electrical Services Division (ESD) ........................................................................................................................................5
Port of Oakland (PORT) .............................................................................................................................................................6
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ............................................................................................................................................6
Network Assessment .................................................................................................................................................................... 11
Recommended Projects ............................................................................................................................................................... 13
Project Priorities ........................................................................................................................................................................ 13
Short-term (0-2 years)....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Medium-term (2-5 years)................................................................................................................................................. 13
Long-term (5+ years) ......................................................................................................................................................... 13
Short-Term Projects ................................................................................................................................................................. 14
Project #1 Formation of City Fiber-Optic Coordination Committee ....................................................... 14
Project #2 Implementation of City Policy for fiber and conduit installation..................................... 15
Project #3- Fiber connection between Eastmont Substation Safety Hub and City Network (via
BART fiber) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 15
Project #4- Fiber connection between Maintenance Service Center/ 911 Center and City
Network ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 15
Project #5- Alternate fiber connection between PAB and City Hall ........................................................... 16
Project #6- Pilot Project Area Support ...................................................................................................................... 16
Project #7- Fiber connection to Caltrans (and East Bay Smart Corridor) .............................................. 16

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page iii

Introduction
High-speed connectivity is an essential part of a modern City to deliver information necessary for various City
services and the public. The City of Oaklands Information Services Division manages a complex network of
high-speed network connections that connects essential facilities throughout the City, including the following:

Key City of Oakland Public Safety buildings

Major City of Oakland Data Centers

Major business centers

Neighborhood Fire Stations

City Libraries

Connectivity to regional partners (BART, Caltrans, etc)

Connectivity to the facilities listed above has historically been done on an as needed basis by various
departments. Some of the items listed above are currently connected by leased broadband services (e.g.
Comcast, AT&T) or wireless connections (leased and City-owned), while others are not connected at all, or do
not have such services available to them. Fiber-optic cables are currently the fastest and most efficient way to
deliver these connections. In addition, other City Divisions (Transportation Services Division, Port of Oakland)
have also led their own fiber-optic projects. These projects have typically not been coordinated with each other,
resulting in a disjointed network, and some of the facilities are constrained or isolated from the rest of the City
because they are not fully integrated.
In order to continue supporting the network demands of these critical facilities and to increase network reliability
and redundancy, the City needs to create a continuously connected network that supports high-speed
connectivity and future growth.
To implement this vision, the City must develop a strategy for enhancing and expanding the current network.
This City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan will present documentation and evaluation of the existing
City fiber-optic infrastructure. This will lay the groundwork for developing a strategic approach to implementing
projects and policies that will strengthen the Citys IT network, expand the capacity of the network, integrate
and connect City facilities, establish system redundancy, and position the City for strategic and methodical
expansion of the system in the future.

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 4

Existing Conditions
The following key stakeholders were identified as having fiber-optic cable and/or conduits that could be used
for installation of future fiber optic cable. Interviews with key staff from each were held from November 2013
through January 2014 to gather information on existing cables and review proposed plans. A summary of these
findings is summarized below for each stakeholder. Figure 1A and Figure 1B shows the locations of key hubs
and fiber in the City. Table 1 provided additional detail regarding the strand assignments for each cable.

Information Services Division (ISD)

ISD has fiber-optic cables connecting key City buildings to the City data centers located at the Emergency
Operations Center (EOC) at 1605 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way and at 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza (FHOP).
Other key City buildings include 250 FHOP and Police Administration Building (PAB). Key fiber junction points
include City Hall and the Old Fire Alarm building. Other regional communication links include Alameda County
Administration Building and the Oakland Museum.
Many of the fiber-optic connections between these buildings utilize multi-mode fiber instead of single-mode
fiber. There is limited (typically 12-strand or 24-strand) single-mode fiber connections between the buildings
and these are essentially at capacity without room for further expansion. ISD is currently evaluating upgrades
to the existing IT infrastructure that would require additional single-mode fiber-optic cable.

Transportation Services Division (TSD)

By themselves or in partnership with other agencies, TSD has installed 96-strand and 144-strand single-mode
fiber-optic cable along several key corridors for communications to traffic signal controllers and traffic
monitoring cameras, including on Broadway, San Pablo Avenue, Grand Avenue, West Grand Avenue,
Edgewater Street, Hegenberger Avenue, 98th Avenue. These controllers and cameras are connected to TSDs
traffic signal server and video management server located at the EOC Data Center.
TSD is also coordinating with several upcoming projects that will install single-mode fiber-optic cable in the City
of Oakland. These projects include AC Transits Line 51 project (Broadway, 7th Street, 8th Street) and East
Bay Bus Rapid Transit Project (International Blvd, 12th Street, 11th Street, San Leandro Street), as well as
BARTs Oakland Airport Connector project (Hegenberger Avenue).
In addition, TSD has existing conduit used for copper signal interconnect cable (SIC) communications between
traffic signal controllers that could be utilized for fiber-optic cable. TSD has also requested on an informal basis
to include empty conduit on streetscape and repaving projects when they learn of them (e.g. Maritime Street,
7th Street, 17th Street).

Electrical Services Division (ESD)

ESD does not have any fiber-optic cable, but has street lighting conduit and old fire-alarm wire throughout the
City. ESD conduits were evaluated as possible fiber-optic cable routes since some cities have installed 12strand or 24-strand fiber-optic cable in street lighting conduits. The majority of ESD street light conduits are
older, metal, and are 1-inch in diameter. The conduits also tend to be shallow and the fiber-optic cable would
be exposed at each street lighting pull box (typically at each street light. Due to these considerations, it would
be preferred to utilize a dedicated communications conduit rather than street light or fire alarm conduits for
fiber-optic cable. (Use of street light or fire alarm wire could be considered during the design phase on a caseby-case basis.)

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 5

Port of Oakland (PORT)

PORT has installed a 144-strand fiber-optic cable to support Port communications and security on Port
property and a 48-strand fiber-optic cable to connect Port Administration Offices (PAO) building with City Hall.
PORT is currently installing a redundant fiber-optic ring between PAO and EOC (utilizing BART right-of-way)
and connecting EOC and City Hall. This project will also provide 12-strands (1 tube of 144-strand cable)
between EOC and 150 FHOP for use by ISD.

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

BART has available single-mode fiber-optic cable installed within its right-of-way that it leases out to various
entities. The PORT is currently installing a 144-strand fiber-optic cable within BART row between the San
Francisco Bay Tube Portal and Oakland City Center/ 12th Street BART station as part of their Port
Administration Office (PAO) to EOC connection. There is an existing 144-strand cable between City Hall and
the Oakland City Center/ 12th Street BART station that is currently unused. The City has agreements with
BART to use their fiber for connections to City Hall.

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 6

d
89:

89:

89:

89:

e
Kelle r Av

89:

89:

73 rd Ave

89:

Av e

98:
98 th

66th Av e

89:
St
on
nis
De
n

Colis e
um W
ay

H
I

880

)
"

H
I
d

Library

)
"

Microwave Tower

)
"

)
"

80

)
"
)
"

Existing BART Fiber

)
"

Existing Oakland Fiber

)
"

CH - Oakland City Hall

EMH - Oakland Eastmont Hub
EOC - Oakland Emergency Operations Center*
MSC - Oakland Maintenance Service Center*
OAK - Oakland Airport
OFA - Old Fire Alarm Building
PAB - Oakland Police Administration Building*
150 - 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza*
250 - 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

Regional Hubs
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"

ACA - Alameda County Administration Building

ACT - AC Transit
CAL - Caltrans
OM - Oakland Museum
PORT - Port of Oakland Offices

98:

City Hubs (* With Microwave Tower)

Fire Station

Planned Fiber
Proposed Projects

14 th
S

Way

)
"

Existing Port Fiber

Rd
Go lf L
in ks

73 rd Ave

89:
13th Av e

89:

89:

89:

Av e
14t
h

89:

Minor Hubs

Fiber

Figure 1A
Existing Fiber and Hubs - Full City
May 2014 - FINAL DRAFT

San Leandro St

MSC*

)
"

Oakland Fiber Master Plan

yS

LEGEND

89:

ne
d

H
I

Airp o
rt Dr

dl

rR

89:

8:9

98:

89:

32
n

id

bo

Ke
n

Co lis eu m

al Blv
d

St

r
Ha

St

H
s I

Av e

ation

er R

ritim
e

B an c
ro ft A
ve

erg
enb

)
"

Ma

He g

oop

HFC

23rd

be L

)
"

16 th St

16th A
ve

H
I

y Tu

PORT

8th

St

t
5th S

e
Pos

St

PAB*

)
"

8:9

S
Clay

880

Oak

t
tr o S
Ca s sh S t
Bru

St
ion
Un

y
kw
la P
St
Pe ra lta

St

nde

5t

80

8t h

Hs
I

er Expy

ve
aA
ag
Mo
r

Piedm ont Ave

89:

98:

Sta n
fo

dS
t

St

St
Ma

ACT
250 "
) 14th StOFA
)
"
EOC* 150*
ACAH"
)
"
)
"
)
)"
)OM
s
)"
"
s 7th St
H CH
t
8th S

t
hS

18th

20 th St

H
I

ill

H
I

29 th Av e

t
rk e

line

St

)
"

H
I

an

o th
Fo

Ma

e
Ad

Pera lta

Gr

CAL
e
Av

d
H
I
Intern

15th Ave

580

EMH"
)

d
B lv

Av

le
it va
Fru

H
I

e
Av
rd

Rd

23

t
hS

t
35

lvd

e
Av

Av
e

rB

tS
rke

80

u
rth
cA
Ma

Ma

880

lo

d
ta
Ma ndana Blv
Cl
ar
aA
ve
rth
ur
Bl v
d

nt

ab

sMacA

o
um

nP

H
I

Av e

Sa
n

w ay

Sa

A rth
Ma c

Ca rlsto n

lv d
ur B

d
Broa

H
I

V
U
24

H
I

a
Be

rd A
ve

ay

Lincoln Ave

Hs
I

Av
e

Rd

Pleas ant Va
lle y Av e

an

Jr

S
51 st

St
st
51

d
Red w oo

580

Ly m

Ki
ng

ck

Rd

Tiffin Rd

the
r

tt u

d
B lv

Av

Sh
a
Lu

e rt
ei m

r
ke
oc

tin

Cr

o nt Av

H
I

Mountain Ave
dA
ve

d
Re

d
oo

He genberg

adw
Bro

Cla rem

Ma
r

Hi g
hlan

13

35 th Ave

V
U

89:

Av
e

14th Ave

ge

ay T
er

ll e

98:

Co

sd

Mon te
rey B
lvd

Park Blvd

H
I

OAK
)
"

10TH AV

L ON
FAL

Y
OR

CT

8TH AV

11TH AV
10TH AV

9TH

ST

S
IA
OL

ST

)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"

CH - Oakland City Hall

EMH - Oakland Eastmont Hub
EOC - Oakland Emergency Operations Center*
MSC - Oakland Maintenance Service Center*
OAK - Oakland Airport
OFA - Old Fire Alarm Building
PAB - Oakland Police Administration Building*
150 - 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza*
250 - 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

RD

HA
RB
OR

MI
DD
LE

14TH AV

AV

Regional Hubs
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"
)
"

ACA - Alameda County Administration Building

ACT - AC Transit
CAL - Caltrans
OM - Oakland Museum
PORT - Port of Oakland Offices

Fire Station

H
I

Library

Microwave Tower

89:

ST

BE

WY

ST
LE

T
NU

GN
MA

ST

ION
UN

M
HA

Figure 1B
Existing Fiber and Hubs - Downtown
May 2014 - FINAL DRAFT

89:

AV

10T
HA
V

RP

7TH AV

F
OF

City Hubs (* With Microwave Tower)

)
"

Oakland Fiber Master Plan

13TH AV

10TH AV

9TH AV

880

Minor Hubs
)
"

SOLANO

WY

DERO
EMBARC A

ST

EST
OW

E 15 TH ST
Y
MARIN W

H ST

LEGEND

E
ALIC

E
TU B

Y TU

TER

E
POS

BS
WE

ST

HS
E 8T

PARK WY

T
VIC

ST

ST

R
ADE
ARC
B
M
E

E 8T

ON

ST

12TH AV

7TH AV
7TH AV

6TH AV

2ND AV

4TH ST

ST
4 TH

LOOM IS CT

8TH AV

3RD AV

1ST AV

5TH AV

H
5T

NB OAK O
FFRP ST

T
TH S

S
OAK

T
TH S

11TH AV

6TH AV

6TH AV

PARK BL
VD

ATHO
L AV

ST

HS

4TH AV
TH

6TH AV

89:

14T

ST
LA

IS ON

89:

EN
SA
V

IS
AB
EL

HARR

ST

7T
H

E7

E 17 TH ST

N WY
GLEASO

FOOTHILL PL

ST

ST
ON

N
ISO
5

ST

BLVD

RI S

2ND

ST

ST

G JR

"
)

L
FAL

MAD

6 TH

E
ALIC

HAR

KLIN

ST

K IN

ON
E RS

YS
CLA

F
JEF

ER

ST

H
LUT

TR O

T
HS

RT
MY

T
ES
CH

K
KIR

ST
RT
BE
T
FIL
NS
DE
LIN

ST
ET

PORT

ER
WAT

ST

E 17TH ST

WY

H ST
E 12T

E 10TH ST

ST

ST

ST

AV

LT
ON

ME
AD

AT
H

WB 18TH OFFRP ST

DR
ST

ST

E
ALIC

ON

TON

ST

N
FRA

ING

T IN

CAS

S
BRU

MAR

3RD

INTERNATIONAL

NB

RP
O FF 0
AY
8
8
I
W
NB
AD
T
B RO
PS
R
NB
F
F
NO
T
O
S
S
P
K
JAC
ONR
SB
7 TH

H
WAS

880

YS
CL A

T
RP S

SB I

FOOTHILL BLVD

CE
COMMER

E 17 TH ST

E 11TH ST

HS
10T

CE
COM MER

Fiber
Existing BART Fiber
Existing Oakland Fiber
Planned Fiber
Existing Port Fiber
Proposed Projects

WY

20TH AV

E 17TH ST

E 19 TH ST

19TH AV

IDE
N
KSO
JAC

RI S

ST

NB

8 TH

E 18 TH ST

E 19 TH ST

15TH AV

ES
LAK

ST

HAR

KLIN

ST

"
)

E 15TH ST

E 19 TH ST

E 20TH ST

18TH AV

E 17TH ST

E 20TH ST

NIO WY
SAN ANTO
E 20 TH ST

16TH AV

MI

V
RE A

E 19 TH ST

E 20TH ST

17TH AV

O
ESH

V
EA
VU

WAYN

E PL

E 11TH ST

T
HS

"
) OM
"
)

ST

YS
CLA

ON
E RS

ST
9TH

11T

ACA

ST
7TH

PAB*

OFF

ST

H
I

10T

)
H "
I
E
ALIC

H
13T

H ST

RP
O FF

KET

WA
YN
EA
V

OFA

T
TH S

N
FRA

ST

ST

ST
14

ST
6TH

RK
MA

T
HS

H
15T

"
)

CH

H
11T
EB

ST

ST

ST

ION

5T

RP
ON

N
DE
LIN

UN
T
HS

17T

ACT

T
HS

150*
"
) )
"
"
)

HS

AR
NB M

ST

H
15T

H
12T

TH
11

7T

ST

H
I

WB

ST

ST

F
JEF

P ST
FFR

ST
RP

ST

H
8T

T
HS

Z
PL

TH O

ON

ST

ST

I NE
EL
AD

T
S T LM C
IA
PA
OL

CIR
GE
LA
ST
VIL
LE
RT
MY
ST
RT
BE
FIL

N
DE
LIN

T
NU

GN
MA

T
ES
CH

T
HS

7
EB 1

H
17T
WB

ST

T
10

H
19T

TH
18

E 20TH ST

R AV

E 16TH ST

ST

HS

LES T
E

E 17 TH ST

250

HS

13T

16T

15T

S
TH
20

Y
W

TH
19

HS

I SE
KA

IAM

H ST
13T

ST
EN

T
NU

D
LI N

T
ES
CH

ST
RT
BE
FIL

ST

ST

"
)
s

HS
15T

7T

IL L
W

EY

EOC*

ST

TH
16

L.

L
RK
BE

18T

ST

TH
18

ST
ST
21

AY
ADW
BRO

AS
OM
H
T

ST

LE
RT
MY

H ST
19T

R
TE
BS
WE

ND

ST

AV

T
WES

HS
20T

22

ST

ST
NRP

T ST
21S

ST

ST

ST

ND
22

PH
RA

D
22N

ST

"
)

D
3R

ST

ST

V
DA
AN
R
G

HO
EB I980 EB 18T

23R

ST

TH

RD

G
LE
TE

AV

23

A
GR

AV

ND

CAL

S
EY

24

T IS
CUR

ST
21

ST

WB I980

PA
BL
O

TH
24

ST

RD
23

ST

AV

T
25

TH
24

ST

TH
25

E
AT
HG

TH
26

SA
N

R
MO
CA
Y
S

ST

ST

LL
VA

27

RT
NO

TH

ST

ST

TH

ST

LAK

ST
ST
ST
WE

28

L LE
BE

T
29

Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan

5/9/14 - Final DRAFT

Table 1: Existing Single-Mode Fiber Optic Cable Strand Assignments

Cable ID
1

End 1
EOC

EOC

End 2
City Hall

City Hall

Cable Size

Installed
by

24-strand

ISD

144-strand
(1-24 term.)
(133-144 term.)

TSD

EOC

City Hall

96-strand*

PORT

EOC

PORT (HFC)

144-strand*

PORT

150 FHOP

250 FHOP

24-strand

ISD

City Hall

150 FHOP

24-strand

ISD

City Hall

250 FHOP

24-strand

ISD

City Hall

250 FHOP

96-strand
(1-24 term.)

TSD

City Hall

PORT

48-strand

PORT

10

City Hall

BART
(12th St)

144-strand

BART

11

City Hall

PAB

24-strand

TSD

12

City Hall

OFA

12-strand

ISD

* In construction

Strand
Group - Strand Use
1-24 ISD - network (at capacity)

1-4
5-8
9-14
15-18
19-24
25-132
133-140
141-144
1-6
7-10
11-12
13-96
1-4
5-132
133-144
1-24
1-24

TSD - 250 FHOP connection

TSD - Broadway signals
TSD - I-80 signals*
TSD - Caltrans/ EBSC connection*
TSD - Spare
TSD - Spare (unterminated)
TSD - Spare
PORT - DAC connection
PORT - EOC/PAB connection
PORT - EOC/BART connection
ISD - EOC/PAB conneciton
PORT - Spare
PORT - HFC connection
Spare
ISD - 150 FHOP connection
ISD - network (at capacity)
ISD - network (at capacity)

Cable Path/ Comments

City Hall Access in AT&T 14th St manhole
utilizes AT&T conduits to EOC
EOC access through City vault
Same conduit route at Cable No. 3

New conduit EOC to 250 FHOP

New conduit EOC to 250 FHOP (same as Cable No. 3)

New conduit 150 FHOP to BART 12th St
Existing BART ROW for BART 12th St to HFC

1-24 ISD - network (at capacity)

1-4
5-24
25-96
1-4
5-8
9-36
37-38
39-48
1-144

TSD - 250 FHOP connection

TSD - Spare
TSD - Spare (unterminated)
PORT - PAB/DAC connection
PORT - PAB/DAC alt. connection
PORT - Spare
ISD - EOC/PAB connection*
PORT- Spare
ISD - Spare

1-24 ISD - network (at capacity)

??-?? TSD - MSC wireless connection (2-strands)
1-12 ISD - network (at capacity)

City Hall Access in AT&T 14th St manhole

Utilizes AT&T conduits and pull boxes
PAB Access in AT&T vault

City Hall Access in AT&T 14th St manhole

City Hall Access in AT&T 14th St manhole
Utilizes AT&T conduits and pull boxes
PAB Access in AT&T vault
City Hall Access in AT&T 14th St manhole
Utilizes AT&T conduits and pull boxes

Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan

5/9/14 - Final DRAFT

Table 1: Existing Single-Mode Fiber Optic Cable Strand Assignments

Cable ID

End 1

13

City Hall

14

City Hall

15

City Hall

16

12 StOak St

17

MSC

BART
(Colesium)
Broadway19
27th St
7th St20
Broadway
8th St19
Broadway
* In construction
18

End 2
Broadway5th St
Broadway27th St

San Pablo Ave-W.

Grand Ave (field
splice)

1st Ave18th Ave

98th Ave Bigge St
Hegenberger Rd Edgewater Dr
Broadway-College
Ave
7th StWebster St
8th StWebster St

Cable Size

Installed
by

96-strand

TSD

96-strand

TSD

Strand
1-4
5-96
1-4
5-96
1-4
5-7
8-11
12-28
29-31
32-52
53-55
56-72

Group - Strand Use

TSD - Traffic field network
TSD - Spare
TSD - Traffic field network
TSD - Spare
TSD - Spare
TSD - Traffic field network - I-80 Cable "B"
TSD - Caltrans/ EBSC connection*
TSD - Spare
TSD - Traffic field network - I-80 Cable "C"
TSD - Spare
TSD - Traffic field network - I-80 Cable "D"
TSD - Spare

72-strand

TSD

144-strand

TSD

48?-strand?

TSD

??-strand*

Others

TBD

TBD

96-strand*

Others

TBD

TBD

12-strand*

Others

TBD

TBD

12-strand*

Others

TBD

TBD

1-4
5-144
1-4
5-48?

TSD - Traffic field network

TSD - Spare
TSD - Traffic field network
TSD - Spare

Cable Path/ Comments

Spliced to 3- 24 strand cables at San Pablo Grand

Cable "B" - West Grand to Adeline - 24-strand
1-4: TSD - Spare
5-7: TSD - Traffic field network
8-24: TSD - Spare
Cable "C" - West Grand to MacArthur - 24-strand
1-4: TSD - Spare
5-7: TSD - Traffic field network
8-11: TSD - Caltrans/ EBSC connection*
8-24: TSD - Spare
Cable "D"- San Pablo Avenue to MacArthur - 24-strand
1-4: TSD - Spare
5-7: TSD - Traffic field network
8-24: TSD - Spare

Route: Edgewater St, Hegenberger Rd, Aiport Access Rd, 98th

Ave
BART Oakland Airport Connector (OAC) project installing of
fiber-optic cable at request of TSD.
AC Transit Line 51 project installing fiber-optic cable at request
of TSD.
AC Transit Line 51 project installing fiber-optic cable at request
of TSD.
AC Transit Line 51 project installing fiber-optic cable at request
of TSD.

Network Assessment
As can be seen by Figure 1A and Figure 1B, the City of Oakland has an substantial fiber-optic network
connecting many of the locations listed in the project objectives. However, the following gaps were identified:

Lack of fiber connection to Maintenance Service Center/ 911 Facility (MSC/911) located at 7101
Edgewater Drive. This location is currently connected to the City network by a combination of 2x T-1
connections and 1 wireless link.

Lack of fiber connection to Eastmont Substation Hub (EMH) located at 2651 73rd Avenue. This
location also serves as a wireless backhaul hub (e.g., microwave data transmission are collected here
and brought back to the Citys EOC.) This location is currently connected to the City network by a
combination of 5x T-1 and 1x DS-3 connections.

Single-mode fiber connections between downtown buildings is at capacity. This capacity mostly
impacts the ISD fiber-optic cable. As noted in the existing conditions above, most of the existing single
mode fiber links are 12-strand and 24-strand.

Some fiber-optic cables utilizing AT&T infrastructure. Existing connections between City Hall, EOC,
PAB, PAO, ACA, OFA, and OM currently utilize the manholes, vaults and/or trenches owned by AT&T.
There are on-going City discussions looking for ways to transfer City fiber-optic cables into non-AT&T
facilities.

Lack of fiber connection to Caltrans, AC Transit, BART Alameda CTCs I-80 ICM project (in
construction) will provide a fiber connection between the City and Caltrans D4 TMC (111 Grand Ave).
and AC Transits East Bay BRT project (in design) plans to connect the City to AC Transit
Administrative Offices (1800 Harrison). As noted in the existing conditions, the existing BART to City
Hall fiber connection is not currently being utilized and there do not appear to be any plans for this.

Lack of fiber connection to Oakland Airport and Oakland Airport Business Park (Pilot Project Area).
City Council has identified the area bounded by 66th Avenue, San Leandro Street, 98th Avenue,
inclusive of the Oakland Airport as the Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Pilot Project Area (See Figure 2).
This area is currently not served by high-speed internet service providers, and the City and LightUP
Oakland! are looking for ways to partner for this.

Lack of fiber connection to Fire Stations. Existing city network connections provided by T-1 (AT&T)

Lack of fiber connection to City libraries. Existing connections for public Wi-Fi are currently leased by
Comcast. Existing city network connections provided by T-1 (AT&T)

Lack of fiber connection to San Francisco Public Safety/ Muni. Discussions on-going for a regional or
sub-regional public safety network.

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 11

Oakland Fiber Master Plan

Figure 2
Pilot Project Area
May 2014

Recommended Projects
Considering the Project objectives, existing conditions, and the network assessment above, the following
priorities have been developed for the short-term (0-2 years), medium term (2-5 years), and long-term (5+ year)
time frames. For short-term projects, additional details and costs are provided.

Project Priorities
Short-term (0-2 years)
The priority for the short-term (0-2 years) projects include:

Improve Coordination among various City fiber projects

Support on-going fiber connection projects (in construction or in design)

Interface with Private-public Partnerships (LightUP Oakland!, East Bay Broadband Consortium)

Provide Fiber connection to 911 Center and Eastmont Substation Hub

Improve fiber connection for key downtown buildings

Support fiber connection for the Council-identified Pilot Area (Oakland Airport Business Park and
Oakland Airport with LightUP Oakland!)

Medium-term (2-5 years)

The priorities for the medium-term (2-5 years) project include:

Fiber connections to Fire Stations, City libraries

Fiber connections to all City wireless repeater sites.

Increased regional connectivity in East Bay (East Bay Public Safety Network, BART, AC Transit)

Private-public Partnerships (East Bay Broadband Consortium)

Long-term (5+ years)

The priority for long-term (5+ years) project include
o

Increased regional connectivity (San Francisco hospitals, MUNI)

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 13

Short-Term Projects
Considering the short-term priorities listed above, the following projects have been developed. Table 2
provides a summary of these projects, and additional details are provided below.

Table 2: Proposed Short-term project summary

No.
1

Project
Formation of City Fiber-Optic
Coordination Committee

Implementation of City Policy

to automatically include fiber
and conduit installation in
construction projects
Eastmont Substation fiber
connection

MSC/ 911 Center fiber

connection

City Hall to PAB alternate

fiber connection

Pilot Project support

Caltrans EBSC fiber

connection

Benefits
Bring together various City divisions
Single unit to coordinate fiber
sharing, buildout, and policy
Raises profile of fiber-optic network
installation
Improve coordination among City
divisions
Improve network redundancy
Reduce leased communication
costs
Improve network redundancy
Reduce leased communication
costs
Improve network redundancy
Alternate path away from AT&T
manhole at City Hall
Support business development
Fiber connection to Oakland Airport
Improve Regional connectivity

Cost
Staff time

Staff time

$1,000,000
Low
$70,000
TBD
Staff time

Project #1 Formation of City Fiber-Optic Coordination Committee

This project would form a City of Oakland fiber-optic coordination committee to coordinate sharing of various
City fiber-optic cables and design input into upcoming projects. The committee also serves as single point for
outside entities to interface with. It is recommended that this committee be made up of key City stakeholders
that will use or benefit from fiber:

Information Services Division (ISD)

Electrical Services Division (ESD)
Transportation Services Division (TSD)
Economic Development (would also serve as conduit for public-private partnerships)
Public Safety

As currently envisioned, this committee would have the following duties:

Responsible for maintenance and expansion of network.

Determines division and use of City-owned fiber strands
Reports to City Administrator and provides information regarding funds needed
Enter into MOU with non-City agencies (current fiber sharing agreement with BART on-going could
be a model for future projects.)

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 14

Project #2 Implementation of City Policy for fiber and conduit installation

This project would work with City Council to implement a new City policy to mandate the automatic installation
of fiber-ready conduit (and possibly fiber) on appropriate projects. Suggested projects include roadway,
sidewalk, utilities, and street-lighting. The review of City projects could be coordinated through the City fiberoptic coordination committee (Project #1) or through the current review by key stakeholders. This committee
could also identify key corridor for installation of fiber-optic cable to build out the City network.

Project #3- Fiber connection between Eastmont Substation Safety Hub and City Network
(via BART fiber)
Currently, the Oakland Eastmont Hub (EMH) is connected to city Hall via DS-3 and T-1 lease lines through a
third party carrier. This connection is expensive for the city and the advantages of connecting this hub with
fiber cable would create a cost savings over time. The EMH is located at the crossing of MacArthur Blvd. and
73rd Avenue. This project would propose to install a 144-strand cable, conduit and pullbox system from The
EMH down 73rd Avenue, crossing International Blvd and heading down Hegenberger Expressway to San
Leandro Street. This project would then connect to the BART fiber system at BART Coliseum Station. (City
has connection to BART fiber at BART 12th St station.)
This project has many advantages. Currently, EMH is connected with expensive lease lines. This proposed
fiber path will save money each year and also provide fiber connectivity to this region for other city
communication initiatives. With the ability to connect to the BART fiber, the city will be able to complete this
eastern ring in the future with an additional connection between EMH and City Hall via MacArthur. Below is an
estimated probable cost for this fiber connection.

Cost Estimate: Fiber connection between EMH and City Network (via BART fiber)
Material
Trench, Conduit, pullbox
Install 144 Fiber cable
Install Fiber
terminations

Amount
9,000 feet
10,000 feet

Price per
$100/foot
$10/foot

Cost
$900,000
$100,000

$4,000

$8000

TOTAL COST

$1,008,000

Project #4- Fiber connection between Maintenance Service Center/ 911 Center and City
Network
Currently, the Oakland Maintenance Service Center (MSC) is connected utilizing leased line communications
and a wireless link from MSC to the Police Administration Building (PAB). It would be advantageous to the City
to have a fiber link between MSC and City Hall. In combination with the EMH connection, the reduction in
leased line costs would be financially beneficial. The approach for this project would be to utilize existing fiber
from MSC to Hegenberger Rd which goes east on Edgewater Drive. TSD is currently coordinating to have the
Oakland Airport Project install fiber between the BART Coliseum Station to the existing fiber at the
Hegenberger Road Edgewater Dr intersection. The BART fiber would be utilized to connect to City Hall. This
connection could alleviate the need for leased line communications to MSC/911 or provide additional
redundancy. Assuming that the project could utilize spare fibers on the TSD fiber cable on Edgewater and
BART OAC cable, this project would have minimal additional cost.

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT
May 2014

Page 15

Project #5- Alternate fiber connection between PAB and City Hall
Currently, City Hall (CH) and the Police Administration Building (PAB) are connected by existing 24-strand
cable and 2-strands of the existing 48-strand Port fiber cable (in construction). Both of these cables enter City
Hall through the disputed AT&T manhole on 14th Street. It would be advantageous to the City to have an
alternate route between City Hall and PAB by utilizing the 96 strand fiber that leaves City Hall and passes
through 150 FHOP, continuing south on Broadway. The approach for this project would be to create a splice
point at 7th Street and Broadway where new conduit would be installed west down 7th Street to Washington
Street. At this point, the conduit system would turn south on Washington and enter the existing manhole and
conduit system on Washington Street that would give access to the Police Administration building via the
building conduit entry point.
This project has several advantages. Most of the fiber is already in place, only needing the last 500 feet to be
installed. It will also connect Broadway and Washington streets at the PAB essentially completing the a fiber
ring for the downtown Building Hub configuration. Below is an estimated probable cost for this fiber connection.

Cost Estimate: Alternate fiber connection between PAB and City Hall
Material
Trench and Conduit
Install Fiber cable
Install Fiber
terminations
Splice enclosure and
splice

Amount
500 feet
1000 feet

Price per
$100/foot
$10/foot

Cost
$50,000
$10,000

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

TOTAL COST

$64,000

Project #6- Pilot Project Area Support

LightUP Oakland! has proposed to provide high-speed internet access to the businesses in the Project Pilot
Area (See Figure 2) by pulling their own privately-owned fiber into existing City conduits (fire alarm, traffic
signal interconnect, street lighting). This privately-owned fiber would be connected to the internet likely through
a connection to leased BART fiber. In return for use of City conduits, LightUP Oakland! has proposed to allow
City to utilize 10% of the new fiber. City support will depend on the proposed project details, but could include
installing new conduit connection to fix existing gaps, allowing LightUP Oakland! to utilized City spare fibers, or
working with BART to allow installation of LightUP Oakland! fiber in the OAC track.
The Pilot Project also includes providing a fiber connection to the Oakland Airport. The existing TSD fiber
trunkline stops at Doolittle Drive. It is unclear whether OAC has agreed to install additional fiber for the City
within its raceway to the Airport beyond Edgewater Street (See Project #4).

Project #7- Fiber connection to Caltrans (and East Bay Smart Corridor)
As part of the current I-80 Integrated Corridor Mobility (I-80 ICM), a fiber connection is currently being
constructed between City of Oakland and Caltrans District 4 Building. This project will utilize existing City fiber
on Grand Ave and San Pablo Avenue. Caltrans will also serve as a data hub for Oaklands connection to East
Bay Smart Corridor. These improvements are being paid for by Alameda CTC.
While the current construction is specifically focused on the exchange of traffic-related information, the City
City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT
May 2014

Page 16

may wish to explore whether this connection could be expansion for other regional initiatives that the City and
Caltrans are part of. CHP has officers stations at the Caltrans TMC, and the Caltrans TMC serves as a
coordination point for regional emergencies. An expanded fiber-optic link between the Caltrans TMC and EOC
could help support emergency response and the East Bay Public Safety Network.

City of Oakland Fiber-Optic Network Master Plan FINAL DRAFT

May 2014

Page 17