The challenge

For the rollout, Ireland is divided into 227 Deployment Areas (DAs), including the offshore islands. As part of the deployment phase of the project, each DA has four phases:

Spatial data underpins the rollout and requires systems and processes that can integrate with each other and have the ability for data translation. It needs systems and processes that integrate with each other and can translate data between formats. FME is central to the integration of data across NBI systems in the project deployment phase.

The solution

NBI uses FME to streamline and automate data processing across each stage of its infrastructure projects, from design to build and the final supporting evidence for milestone payments. Integrating national datasets and automating quality control (QC) improves efficiency and accuracy, and supports smooth project delivery and compliance with regulatory requirements.

How FME is set up

FME use cases by stage

Design stage

• Spatial analysis for permission requirements: FME performs spatial analysis that shows the permissions team where installation sites fall within the boundaries of private or commercial landowners.
• National datasets management: Automated processing of DGN, GML and SHP formats into NBI’s ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase.
• Approval submission: FME collates data from several datasets to generate design reports for DECC approval before construction starts in each Deployment Area.

Build stage

• Supervised access requests: FME generates weekly access requests, with coordinates and photos, for core drilling in existing third-party chambers.
• Tree trimming data translation: LiDAR survey data shows where trees infringe on proposed cable routes and need cutting before installation. FME translates the LiDAR scans of the aerial network onto NBI’s Build Map, the single source of truth during the build stage, showing where trimming and further on-site surveys are needed, with links to the LiDAR data. This makes it easy to give clear instructions to teams on site.
• Photographic evidence QC: FME validates geotagged photos, preventing duplicates and checking proximity to infrastructure. Issues are caught before submission to DECC, avoiding resubmission and rework.

Connections stage

• AsBuilt data management: FME extracts and loads final AsBuilt data into the ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase, giving the wider organisation access through ArcGIS Online.

National dataset management

National datasets (OSI mapping, existing utility data, CSO datasets) need to be viewed by NBI staff and on-site teams alongside NBI network data in ArcGIS Online. NBI receives these datasets in a range of formats, and they need to be updated accurately with minimal downtime. The workbench below translates utility network data, received from an external source in CAD format, into NBI’s ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase.

Supervised access requests for existing chambers

To core drill in existing third-party chambers, NBI must submit a supervised access request each week, including photos and x/y coordinates of the chamber. Requests are approved or rejected based on that information.

Quality control process

• Geotag verification: FME checks that every photo has a geotag and is within 25 metres of the chamber.
• Naming standards: FME renames photos to comply with naming standards.

This makes sure all core drilling is accurately documented and meets the data requirements, keeping operations smooth and compliant.

AsBuilt data management

Deployment Areas are divided into smaller sections called ribbons. NBI’s design partners provide AsBuilt designs in shapefile format, ribbon by ribbon. FME extracts only the relevant ribbon data from each design pack, so AsBuilt maps reflect the latest infrastructure changes in each DA. This improves the accuracy and reliability of NBI’s mapping and inventory management.

AsBuilt data process

1. Division into ribbons: Deployment Areas are divided into smaller sections called ribbons.
2. Incremental updates: As each ribbon is completed, NBI receives updated design packs. For example, a DA split into five ribbons (A to E) results in five separate design packs.
3. Specific updates: Each design pack contains shapefiles with all DA infrastructure. FME extracts only the data for the ribbon named in the pack to the relevant feature class in the ArcGIS Enterprise geodatabase.
4. Data extraction: Once all ribbons are received for a DA, FME extracts the data from the geodatabase to Excel and shapefile for reporting outside the GIS team, translating the coded domains used in SDE into a human-readable format.

AsBuilt mapping process

Selective integration: To create accurate AsBuilt maps, NBI mimics the GE Smallworld process by extracting and integrating only the updated infrastructure for the specific ribbon from each design pack.

The outcome

Together, these processes show FME’s central role in efficient, accurate and scalable data management and integration, critical to the successful delivery of NBI’s broadband rollout.

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