In what appears to be a perfect match, Sempra Energy’s communications unit has come up with a process to marry natural gas with fiber optics. If successful and approved by the various public utility commissions around the country, Sempra could solve one of the telecommunications industry’s biggest problems — transport — by using the nation’s gas pipelines to carry fiber optic cable from outlying networks into buildings.

San Diego-based Sempra, which will market the patent-pending technology through its new subsidiary, Sempra Fiber Links, plans to use an encased cable in a polyethylene conduit, similar to material already used in plastic gas distribution pipe around the world, that will be inserted into natural gas distribution pipe. With gas pipelines already in place underground, the Fiber Links technology will not require large-scale trenching under streets or sidewalks, traditionally used to lay fiber lines now.

“Demand for broadband service in metropolitan areas is greater than ever,” said Donald E. Felsinger, group president of Sempra Energy. “The most significant obstacle to meeting that demand is laying fiber optic cable under city streets, traditionally a slow, costly and disruptive process.” Felsinger said the less expensive process would enhance services and added that “new revenue streams will flourish.”

Calling the traditional process “terribly disruptive,” Sempra Communications president Michael Allman said that the process would not inhibit a gas utility from performing “any duties necessary” to protect public safety. “We foresee tremendous opportunities for our process to spread throughout cities anywhere that have existing natural gas infrastructure in place, (which is) most developed cities in the world,” Allman said.

Sempra’s Southern California Gas Co. (SCG) has taken the first step by applying to the California Public Utilities Commission to approve the use of fiber optic technology in its lines, but Sempra did not know when the application will be considered. SCG serves about 18 million customers in Central and Southern California. Sempra Fiber Links did not have any commitments from utilities or telecommunications companies, but indicated it had met with several California companies already interested in the new technology.

©Copyright 2001 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.