Every day, communities across America face challenges in building reliable internet infrastructure. With increased federal funding through programs like BEAD, states like Mississippi are leading the charge in rural broadband expansion. One company returning to the field to tackle underground fiber installation is Dynasty Construction Services, led by industry veteran Billy ‘Blue’ Cleveland.
Building rural broadband infrastructure
In 2023, Mississippi received $1.2 billion from the BEAD program to improve internet access statewide. This funding follows the state’s earlier $495.7 million allocation from the FCC’s Rural Development Opportunity Fund (RDOF) to establish internet infrastructure for 218,990 sites.
With tight deployment deadlines, contractors are mobilizing equipment and crews to transform these ambitious plans into reality. Dynasty Construction Services, launched in March 2022, answered this call by assembling a fleet of Vermeer HDD equipment to tackle the technical challenges of underground fiber installation.
Equipment selection for fiber installation success
Dynasty Construction’s equipment fleet includes:
- Several Vermeer D20x22 S3 horizontal directional drills
- Vermeer D24x40 S3 drill
- Vermeer CV573GT trailer vac
- Two Vermeer LP573XDT trailer vacs
- Vermeer SPX25 vibratory plow
“Our D24x40 S3 is typically employed for larger or longer crossings. With that machine, we’ve completed 12-in, 18-in and 20-in (30.5 cm, 45.7 cm and 50.8 cm) crossings. It’s an exceptional machine for fiber and other utility projects we occasionally undertake,” Blue said.
Underground fiber installation expertise
The team’s expertise in underground fiber installation shines through their methodical approach. Most of their work involves bore depths between 4 ft and 20 ft (1.2 m and 6.1 m), accounting for approximately 85% to 90% of their projects.
In Jackson, Mississippi, Dynasty Construction installed fiber network infrastructure near major roadways. “We installed around 5,000 ft (1,524 m) of conduit, doing 500 ft to 600 ft (152.4 m to 182.9 m) segments at a time,” Blue explained. “The right-of-way space was limited. Jackson is one of the state’s older parts, with many old utilities. While most of these had been located by the city, some dated back to the 40s and 50s. Extra care was needed to locate these.”
Mastering local conditions with HDD Equipment
Dynasty Construction’s success in underground fiber installation comes from the team’s deep understanding of local conditions. Blue has maintained detailed records of drilling sites throughout his career, documenting challenging conditions and obstacles encountered. This knowledge proves invaluable when teams return to work in familiar areas.
“The toughest material we typically encounter here is hard clay. Occasionally, we might find shale. The Vermeer MidSouth team has consistently done a great job equipping us with the right HDD tooling for any conditions we face. For this project, we’re using Vermeer premium dirt housing and a Vermeer Ace™ Pro bit,” Blue explained.
Training the next generation
Ryan Merchant from Vermeer MidSouth highlighted Blue’s contribution to the industry: “Every current and former employee I’ve worked with refers to Blue’s driller’s bible. His knowledge of the regional conditions is unparalleled in the business, which has significantly benefitted numerous other individuals.”
This knowledge transfer is crucial as rural broadband infrastructure expansion continues. With substantial BEAD funding and ambitious deployment timelines, the industry needs both experienced leaders and well-trained new technicians to meet the growing demand for underground fiber installation.
Rural broadband infrastructure builds tomorrow’s connections
The experiences of Dynasty Construction underscore the importance of having skilled teams and reliable equipment for successful rural broadband infrastructure deployment. Their dedication to expanding high-speed internet access demonstrates how the right combination of expertise and Vermeer HDD equipment can help bridge the digital divide.
As Mississippi continues its ambitious broadband expansion, contractors like Dynasty Construction Services are setting the standard for efficient underground fiber installation. Their comprehensive approach — combining detailed site knowledge, experienced crews and reliable equipment — ensures that rural communities can look forward to a more connected future.
The state’s commitment to universal broadband access, supported by federal funding and executed by skilled contractors using advanced HDD equipment, represents more than just infrastructure development. It’s an investment in the future of rural communities, enabling access to educational resources, healthcare services and economic opportunities that high-speed internet provides.
Contact your local Vermeer dealer or visit vermeer.com for more information about Vermeer HDD equipment.
This article contains third-party observations, advice or experiences that do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Vermeer Corporation, its affiliates or its dealers. Testimonials and/or endorsements by contractors in specific circumstances may not be representative of normal circumstances experienced by all customers.
Vermeer Corporation and Vermeer MV Solutions, Inc. reserve the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. Equipment shown is for illustrative purposes only and may display optional accessories or components specific to their global region. Please contact your local Vermeer dealer for more information on machine specifications. Vermeer, the Vermeer logo and Ace are trademarks of Vermeer Manufacturing Company in the U.S. and/or other countries.
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