South Slope Communications, the local telephone and telecommunications service provider, has requested that new homes in North Liberty (including multifamily, zero-lot and single-family residences) be wired to accommodate broadband connections throughout the home. The advantages of wiring a home in this fashion are many, including benefits for the homeowner in facilitating cable TV, voice, and data (internet) services from a variety of telecommunications providers.
Although the City of North Liberty is not requiring new construction be wired in this manner at this time, we do encourage builders to consider the resale potential of offering homes that are equipped for the latest communication technologies.
Below are some of the advantages of wiring homes in this way, as identified by South Slope Communications:
- To be able to utilize voice, high speed data and video services offered by a variety of providers
- To ensure the capability of broadband service delivery (in addition to voice or dial-up internet) throughout all location of the living quarters
- To improve salability of homes; ability to market housing as ready for future technologies
- To increase the value of a new home by 1-2%, but costs only $100 in a multifamily, roughly $150 for a single-family dwelling
- To maximize the flexibility of residents’ telecommunications options, whether they are delivered to the home on copper, fiber optic or coaxial cable
- The recommended wiring structure includes the following:
- Outdoor phone protector (for fiber optic connection)
- A 110 volt AC outlet on the exterior of the home within 20’ of phone protector
- Two (2) Cat-5 and one (1) RG6 coaxial cables from phone protector to distribution point (such as in furnace room, storage closet, etc.)
- Two (2) Cat-5 and one (1) RG6 coaxial cables from distribution point to each communication location in the home
- Each outlet in the home should have dedicated cabling from the distribution point (“home run”). Wiring from outlets should not piggy-back to other outlets
- Communication locations should be considered for telephones, televisions and personal computers
- South Slope’s new TV system requires Calix Type II 16/24 AWG 7-Conductor power cable. Beginning July 1, 2017 inspection staff will verify the installation of the new power cables in all dwelling units.
Questions regarding these standards should be addressed to North Liberty’s Building Department (319) 626-5736 or South Slope Communications’ Data Department at (319) 626-2211.
