App.RegulatorySolutions.us

User’s Manual

July 1, 2024

Revision 2

Table of Contents

App.RegulatorySolutions.us User’s Manual

Introduction

App.regulatorysolutions.us is the integration of two software applications:

1) The application is a user interface designed to collect the network, subscription, fabric, and RF Propagation settings data necessary for Regulatory Solutions to analyze and create the bi-annual federally required FCC BDC Reports and

2) The program also contains SignalQual.

Above all else, SignalQual is a Marketing Tool integrated with a highly accurate RF Prediction Tool and your other Wireline (Fiber, Docsis, Copper, DSL) services.  This combination of marketing and engineering permits the user to make educated marketing decisions with precision in the engineered design of your RF, fiber, and other wireline services.

Our software enables in-office sales personnel to quickly determine service availability at any location or address in your network, often completing the sale on the first call. This efficiency means you'll rarely need to send a technician to evaluate site serviceability, saving time and resources.

Suppose you also use Regulatory Solutions for your BDC Filing. In that case, Sales and Management personnel can view the mapped location of your current subscribers and all the addresses where service can be provided.

Our RF Prediction tool, utilizing 10-meter terrain and clutter data sets and 3-dimensional two-foot building data resolution, provides highly accurate location and address signal level calculations. This precision allows for reliable advertised service availability predictions, giving you confidence in your marketing decisions.

Just a Quick Note:

If you file your BDC reports with RSI, SignalQual is free of charge. The program maintains your data from the previous filing period (serviced addresses and network data) and the analysis used in the BDC, including qualified serviceable address locations and the total number of serviceable addresses, tract data, and Fabric data.

Quick Topics

Quick topics are important for initial operations and day-to-day usage.

Quick Topics include:

·          How to open an account on app.regulatorysolutions.us

·          Create a new filing period

·          How to add new users

·          How to tune your instance of SignalQual

·          How to qualify a service address, and a

·          Variety of What-If Scenario capabilities.

Regulatory Solutions Account Creation

If you are an ISP operating in the United States, you must file an FCC BDC Report twice a year. The due dates are March 1 and September 1 for data collection periods ending December 31 and June 30, respectively.

This manual explains how to set up an account with Regulatory Solutions for FCC BDC filing purposes.

Process:

To Create a New Account:

Go to app.regulatorysolutions.us and click on 'Register' at the bottom of the page.

Click on Register to Create a New Account

This will bring up a, 'Register' page. Fill out this page, agree to the 'Terms and Conditions,' and click 'Register.' See Below.

Fill Out the Register Page, Accept the Terms and Conditions, and hit Register

A welcome message will appear with an option to return to the Application. Click on 'Return to Application’ to return to the Dashboard.

Thank You for Selecting RSI to File Your FCC BDC Reports

We will start with entering a new 'Period End Date' to activate the dashboard.

To Activate the Dashboard, Create a New Filing Period

Creating a New Filing Period

New Filing Period Tutorial.mp4

You must create a Period End Date in the RSI App at the beginning of each new FCC BDC Filing Period. Your BDC data reports the status of your network and subscribers “as of” the Period End Date”. Period End Dates are June 30 or December 31, respectively.

Our processes (data collection, analysis, certification, and submission) may take several weeks to complete. There are only 60 days available to create and submit the BDC Reports. The final submission dates are September 1 and March 1, respectively, but we must have all your data by August 15th and February 15th to ensure submission on time.

Here is the process for creating a new filing period.

Process:

Open the Regulatory Solutions App by going to app.regulatorysolutions.us and entering your username and password.

Once there, go to the text box titled, Period End Date: in the upper left corner of the Home Page.

Find the Text Box Titled 'Period End Date' in the Top Left Corner of the Screen

If you click in the text box and see the current filing period (i.e. June 30, 2024), you have already paid for the next BDC Report. It’s important to pay attention to the proper year! See the figure below.

In this figure, the Jun 30, 2024, Filing Period Has Already Been Activated

If the Current Filing Period is Not Listed, click 'Create New'

Click 'Create New,' to go to the checkout page. There are two options when checking out: current filing period ($1845) or annual filing ($3600). Select one and click 'Checkout.' The text box will display the filing period. See the figure below.

Select Either the Works Single Period or The Works Annual and Checkout

After you hit 'checkout,' fill out the Regulatory Solutions Checkout page and hit SUBMIT.

Complete the Checkout Page and Hit Submit

This completes the creation of a new filing period.

Adding Roles/Users

• Admin Users can add/delete new Roles/User as follows:
• Log into www.regulatorysoltuions.us 

On the left-hand side go to: Admin → Roles and enter the data into the required fields.

On the left-hand side go to: Admin → Users and enter the data into the required fields.

See the figure below.

Click on 'Roles' and 'Users' to Enter Data

Data Entry

Overview

The app.regulatorysolutions.us is the interface for both the FCC BDC Filing and SignalQual applications.

The following is a list of data that will need to be entered for Regulatory Solutions (RSI) to file your FCC BDC Report. The highlighted line items are the data needed for SignalQual.

Open the application by going to app.regulatoysolution.us.

This will bring you to the dashboard. Each of the gray tiles are clickable data entry options, including:

·          Filer Information

·          Wireless Sites

·          Wireless APs

·          RF/Throughput Settings Fiber/Route Polygons

·          Fiber/Route Polygons

·          Broadband Fabric Files (Click on the Fabric Files Tile and acknowledge that you have a CostQuest License to access the Fabric Data)

·          Subscriber Spreadsheet.

The application will display technology (Wireless, Fiber, Other Wireline), subscriber, fabric data, and RF/Throughput Settings tiles. Click on the tiles and enter the data requested.  (See the figure below).

Some of these tiles may be removed as the filing information data is entered. For example, the Fiber Route/Polygons may not be present if Fiber Routes or Polygons  are not included in the filer data.

The application uses color codes for user-quick visual reference. If the icon tiles have red or yellow markings, then there is still missing information in the file, or the Complete checkbox needs to be checked. The checkmark on the tile will turn green when the All Data Entered Checkbox has been checked. See the images below.

The Tiles Will Display Red or Yellow Until You Have Checked the Blue Checkbox

There is a blue checkbox in each of  the data entry sections. This checkbox is located at the top of each data entry section. The user will need to click the Blue Check Box when the data has been fully entered..This will notify RSI  that your data is ready for analysis.

Ensure you have clicked the checkbox indicating that your data submission is complete

Filer Information

Begin by filling in  the Filer Information. Click on the Filer Information tile or access Filer Data from the menu on the left hand side of the screen. You may need to expand the menu to see all the sections that need to be completed.

Adding Data to the Filer Tile Will Begin to Customize Your Application

Date entry starts with identifying technologies used in your network under Filer Data. Select all the tech used in your network.

Check the Tech Used in Your Network

The data under Company Info are FCC BDC Report specific. If using CnHeat polygons, then check that box. If filing voice services, then you will be required, per FCC Rules, to enter a 499 Filer ID.

Some third party financial institutions require notification when the FCC BDC reports are filed. For now this is a placeholder. RSI will send your contact confirmation that FCC BDC Filings have been completed, however we will not send any information to the third party notification email.

Enter Your Company BDC Information as Required

Filing Contacts is FCC BDC Report Specific. If you have a Certifying Engineer, click the checkbox next to, “I have my own Certifying Engineer.”. Otherwise, RSI has a Certified Professional Engineer that Certifies all FCC BDC Reports.

Enter Data, Emergency, and Certifying Contact as Necessary

The FCC Filing Info is for FCC BDC Reporting only. Please check that your Cores Username and Password will open this address, https://bdc.fcc.gov.

RSI Will Use Your Cores Username and Password to Enter the BDC Reporting Website

Click 'Save.’ This completes the Info Filer Data Entry.

'Date Saved'

Wireless Sites

The user can add Wireless Sites either one at a time or in bulk.  Wireless Sites can also be created by entering APs. If you have APs ready to enter, two fields are the Site address and the longitude and latitude. Instead of entering Sites as a stand-alone category, if you add the APs, the program will create the Sites for you. Please remember that Site names are unique, so if you have several APs at the same Site, you must use identical Unique Site Names and Longitude and Latitude coordinates.

To enter Wireless Site data (Towers), click on the Sites Tile or,

As an Admin user, go to network> Sites.

Here, you will enter site specific information:

To add sites one at a time, click 'Add Site' and fill in the information. Site names need to be unique. The state is from a dropdown. Lat/Long are in decimal degrees. The longitude will be negative since we are in the western hemisphere, elevation is in feet, and the type is free form.

Insert Sites One at a Time by Clicking 'Add Site'

Fill in the information on the screen and click ‘Save.’

Insert the Information and Click 'Save'

You also have the option to download the sites in bulk:

·          Go to Network >> Sites, then

·          export a spreadsheet format, ‘Download Site Template File,’ and see the template instructions. (Important Notice: When you have finished adding Sites, click the blue box to inform RSI that you have finished uploading data.)

Download Instructions and Templates to Facilitate the Upload of Multiple Sites at Once

Here is a copy of the Template Instructions:

Follow the Instructions to Mass Upload Your Site Data Correctly

Here is a sample of the Upload File. Do not rearrange the columns.

Input the data into the spreadsheet and upload it

Click on Bulk Upload and follow the instructions to add your sites from the spreadsheet.

Follow the Instructions on Structuring the Spreadsheet and Upload

After you enter Sites and APs, you can visit the Site section to see a list of APs assigned to the individual site you are investigating. A subset of the AP data will be viewable at that site, including:

·          Name

·          Elevation (above ground level – AGL, in Feet)

·          Azimuth (centerline direction of the antenna)

·          Beamwidth (3db down of the antenna in degrees)

·          Frequency (MHz)

·          Radius (in Miles)

Wireless APs

Wireless APs Tutorial.mp4

To add an AP to the site one at a time, click Network > APs and enter the data.

To Enter APs One at a Time, Click ‘Add AP’ and Enter the Data

The complete list of AP data is as follows:

·          Name

·          Site (select from a dropdown menu)

·          Latitude/Longitude (will be entered automatically from the selected site)

·          Elevation (above ground level – AGL, in Feet)

·          Radius (in Miles)

·          Beamwidth (3db down of the antenna in degrees)

·          Azimuth (centerline direction of the antenna)

·          Channel Width (MHz)

·          Frequency (MHz)

·          Radio Model

·          Antenna Model (From the Dropdown menu, These antennas have built-in gain patterns from the Mfgr)

·          Antenna Gain (dBi)

·          TX Power (dBm)

·          Average Noise Floor (dBm)

·          Max Advertised Download (From this AP, what is the max advertised download speed)

·          Max Advertised Upload (From this AP, what is the max advertised Upload speed)

·          Technology (select from a dropdown menu)

·          Is this AP licensed (Check box if yes)

·          Is this an LTE Site (Check Box if yes)

·          Services Residential (Check Box if yes)

·          Services Business (Check Box if yes)

You also have the option to download the APs in bulk: AP Template Tutorial.mp4

·          Go to Network >> APs, then

·          export a spreadsheet format, ‘Download AP Template File,’ and see the template instructions. (Important Notice: When you have finished adding APs, click the blue check box to inform RSI that you have finished entering data.)

Download Instructions and Templates to Facilitate the Upload of Multiple APs at once.

·          Input the data into the spreadsheet and upload it.

Follow the Instructions on Structuring the Spreadsheet and Upload

Here are the instructions for entering Mass AP Data.

RF/Throughput Settings:

Overview

SignalQual is an advanced RF Prediction tool designed to qualify service addresses by performing detailed RF Propagation studies. This process involves analyzing the signal transmission from the Access Point (AP) to the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and comparing the predicted received signal level against the user defined ‘Minimum Received Signal Level’ for different service speed levels.

Minimum Received Signal Level – (Definition) Service Speeds and Signal Levels are locked together. The better the signal, the higher the service speed that your network can provide. Under Speed Tier Settings, identify the relationship between this service speed and signal level.

To enter specific RF Parameters and technology selections for your network,

go to network> RF/Speed Tier Settings.

Select from the available frequencies, technologies, and specific technical qualifications for each of your service plans, including the Max Standard CPE Height (feet), Max CPE Antenna Gain (dBi), and Minimum SNR (dBi).

Start by selecting your AP Frequency from the options listed in the dropdown menu of the Network RF/Data Throughput Setting sheet. See the figure below.

Select the Correct Frequency

Next, select the Technology associated with the assigned frequency. See the figure below. You can select from WiFi, FPGA (Cambium PMP), Tarana, LTE, and Wave AP.

Select the Correct Associated Frequency

Now, identify your Max CPE Height in feet. The FCC recommends not going above 23 feet for FCC BDC Reports. If you routinely go above this level, then enter that number. Twenty three feet is a suggestion; for some, it may be too high and too low for others. CPE Service height will affect serviceability.

Also, identify your Max CPE Antenna Gain (dB). This is the value supplied by the manufacturer. Enter the Minimum SNR (dB). See the figure below.

Enter the Remaining Data

Now add your Throughput Tiers. Click on 'Add Throughput Tiers." Add the Upload and Download speeds in Mbps and add the 'Minimum Received Signal Level' to provide that service. Be advised, smaller negative numbers are bigger then large negative numbers. For example -72 is greater than -94. See Figure below.

Enter the Service Speed Tiers and the Minimum Signal levels to Provide These Speeds.

Broadband Fabric Files

Regulatory Solutions has a nationwide BDC Fabric License, so you do not have to upload your BDC Fabric Data. Rather, we request that you confirm that you have an existing license with CostQuest to use the Fabric Data.

This statement will appear when you click on the Fabric Data Tile. If you have a current license to use the CostQuest Fabric Data, click on the check box next to “Check this box if you have acquired your license from CostQuest” to acknowledge you have a license from CostQuest.

Click the Blue Checkbox to Verify You Have an Existing CostQuest License

Subscriber Spreadsheet

Subscriber Template Tutorial.mp4

To enter subscriber data go to Network > Subscribers under the menu items or click on the tile called “Subscribers Sheet Upload.”. Enter subscribers one at a time by clicking on the 'Add Subscriber' button, or enter them en masse by downloading the template instructions and template file. Do not rearrange the columns of the spreadsheet.

Click the 'Add Subscriber' to Add Subs One at a Time

The subscriber template instructions are listed below:

Instructions for the Subscriber Template

Here is an example of an incorrect subscriber file. You can add Long/Lat, but you MUST add the Address. The Address is used to match the subscriber with the CostQuest Fabric Data. Notice that the longitude is negative.

This Submission is Incorrect Because One of the Customers Does Not Have Address Data

After you have  finished adding subscribers, click the blue checkbox to signify that you have completed submitting subscriber data. This informs RSI that we may proceed with analyzing your subscriber data.

Click the Blue Check Box to Indicate That You Have Finished Entering Data

SignalQual Usage (The Importance of Tuning SignalQual)

We encourage all users to tune their instance of SignalQual to optimize performance for their network and outside environment.

Received Signal Level prediction is based upon knowing how the network is configured, technologies employed, AP heights, azimuths and locations, and what the clutter categories are for the area.  Tree heights estimates are important.

After tuning your instance of SignalQual, run comparisons of known service signal strengths with the predicted signal strengths from SignalQual.  It will not be perfect except for where there is a clear line-of-sight (LOS). Even cellular carriers drive-test their networks and optimize as best they can. Adjust the RF and clutter settings to match your actual network and try again. Repeat as necessary.

You may need to adjust tree heights or signal-to-noise ratios, or the signal strengths required to provide various service speeds. But once you have finished the tuning, the RF Predictions in SignalQual may be sufficient to forgo site surveys except in the rarest of cases.

Tuning Your Instance of SignalQual

As with all RF software predictive tools, the results are only as good as the App's baseline assumptions and refined settings. This section gives you a general guideline how to tune your instance of SignalQual to your outside physical environment, based upon your network communications protocols, and equipment selection.

Fine Tuning Your SignalQual Instance (Specifics)

Part 1: Adjust Clutter Settings

RSI uses widely available datasets for clutter; see the categories below. The clutter and ground terrain have a 10-meter resolution. Buildings resolve at 2-foot dimensions on all sides (length, width, and height) and placement. Besides the building data, the other clutter categories are identified below with our default settings:

Adjust the tree height and other categories to match your environment. Pick the worst time of the year and be conservative with your estimates. Understand that this is a tradeoff. If you are too low on your tree heights, you may predict coverage in an area where the service is unavailable. If you pick tree heights that are too high, you may be giving up areas you can service.

Try several tree heights and then compare the actual signal levels around your network with the predicted ones. Analyze the difference between the two and adjust your clutter values to best suit your environment.

It will not be perfect, but it can get very close. Our Certified Profession Engineer compares his predictions with ours and certifies our values if he is within 3dBi (half power) of our predictions.

Some companies using SignalQual are getting a 97% match but depending on your terrain and your network descriptions (heights, azimuths, gains, etc.), this may vary. Continue optimizing your instance of SignalQual by ensuring your AP data is accurate including location, height, azimuth, and antenna selection.

An Admin user can go to SignalQual > Network > Clutter Settings to adjust clutter data. Note: 'Built Up' once included anything with concrete (roads, parking lots, and buildings). Since we now incorporate an entire USA building database, the 'Built Up' clutter is just roads and parking lots. So, our recommended default for built-up is 0. Adjust your clutter settings and click on save.

Input Your Local Clutter Heights and Press Save (not shown here)

There is a section called ‘New Profile’ on the admin version of this page. However, it has yet to be activated. Some networks span numerous vegetation types, and this new feature will permit the user to set different clutter heights within the same network.

Part 2: Get an RF Predictive Signal Level at a Specific Location and Chosen CPE Height

This section describes how to get an RF signal level for a selected CPE height at a specific location.

Step 1. Go to SignalQual > Map

Open the Map – Go to Signalqual and Select Map

Find the address where you want to check the signal level. Input the address into the address text box at the top of the map. The program will preload addresses that begin to match your address. Choose the address from the dropdown menu.

The Map Will Center on the Selected Address

Selecting the address from the dropdown menu will center the map on that address location. If you use RSI to file your BDC Reports, then there will be a green dot everywhere your BDC reports say you can provide service. If you do not use RSI to file your BDC Reports, these green dots will not appear. For now, we will ignore the green dots.

Click on the Green Dot to See the Profiles from all Supporting APs

If you are attempting to see qualification profiles from all the APs that service the address, select 'Advanced Mode' in the toolbar at the top. Otherwise, select 'Simple Mode,' which is one Icon to the left of the Advanced Mode.

Select the Advanced Mode to see all the Profiles from Serviceable APs

In addition, we want to select the 'Qualify Site-Pt' Icon in the same toolbar (See Figure Below). This Icon resembles a tower. This combination of icon selections will permit us to click anywhere on the map and create RF Propagation Profiles at the CPE height chosen.

Select the Site-Pt Icon to Create Profiles from APs to Specific Locations

Change the CPE height if desired, ‘CPE Ht:.’ (See the Figure above)

Create the Profile

Once you have selected the CPE height, find the location on the house or structure where you want to check the signal level and click that location. You will see a green and black notice stating that the program is 'Fetching Profiles… please wait.' If the site is serviceable, the screen will most likely have an AP coverage layer enabled, some lines emanating from the location selected, and some profiles up and down the right side of the window. If not, then the site is unserviceable at the CPE elevation chosen. To see what height it would qualify, raise the CPE by changing the CPE Ht: to a higher figure and click on the map again.

Below is an example of  such a site. Notice the structure does not have a green dot, so it was not qualified for service at 23 feet in the BDC Filing. Let’s raise the CPE height and see if we can get service at this location.

Previous Site Analysis Demonstrated Service is Not Available With a CPE Height of 23 feet.

Let's change the CPE to 45 feet and re-run the profile creation by clicking on the house. When we click on the site, we will generally see that the program is 'Fetching Profiles…please wait' in a green notice at the top of the screen. Sometimes, this notice does not show up, so you need to know that it is running the profiles, and you will need to be patient. (See Figure below)

Most of the time, the 'Fetching Profiles...please wait' Notice Will Appear

Here is the result of the profile creation process. Notice that the profiles are on the right side and sorted from best (top) to worst (bottom). Also, notice that the map is hazy. If you zoom out, you will see that there is an AP Coverage Area associated with each of the APs in range to provide service.

Disable the Qualify AP to see the Layers Underneath

To get rid of the color overlay (AP Coverage), click on the toolbar menu on the right side of the program (the Tri-Level Icon). See the figure below.

Click on the Tri-Level Icon to See Map Configuration Settings

Scroll down to the qualification section and click on Qualify APs On/Off Icon (the Icon just to the right of the words – looks like an eyeball). See the figures below.

Click on the Icon to Eliminate the AP Coverage.

Now, we see numerous dashed lines emanating from the service point chosen. These dashed lines indicate that the APs cannot provide service at that location. We seek a solid line indicating that an AP can service the location. (See the figure below)

No Service is available at the CPE height of 45 feet

To better see the profiles, close the map configuration settings by clicking the arrow pointing to the right on the top right of the map configuration settings page. (See Figure below)

Click the 'Arrow Point' To Close the Map Configuration Window.

There are 24 different unsorted qualification profiles for this location. Here are the top 3, found by looking for the word 'True' in the profile description. As you can see from the profiles, the service issue is most likely  associated with the trees growing close to the house. Trees are green, and buildings are red. The terrain is visible, as is the variation of the building heights; The trees are all the same height. The Tarana configured AP is only 3 miles (4km) from the service address. The signal strength at the site from the best AP is -124.12 dB. See the figure below.

Signal Strength is Listed in the Caption of the Profile.

We can raise the CPE again and see if we can get over the trees. Let's go to 60 feet. Notice that at 60 feet, we can provide service to this location. (See the second of the following two Figures).

The Solid Green Line Indicates that the AP can provide Service at This Location

The LOS is green on the profile and it is now clearing the tree level.

Getting over the Trees Increases the RX Signal Strength

Part 3. Fine Tuning the SignalQual Input Parameters

To fine-tune your instance of SignalQual, run several RF Predictions to sites where you already know the actual signal levels and compare the predicted and actual signal levels. Remember, these will not generally match, so adjust the Clutter Settings until you have reached a fair middle ground between predicted and actual.

Where to Get Help in Assigning These Essential Values

Call us if you need help deciphering what these values mean and what they should be. We will assist you in determining the correct values. These are critical to your predictive analysis, so don't hesitate to ask for clarification and methods to determine these values. Our number is 972-836-7107, and our email is BWebster@regulatorysolutions.us for assistance.

Real Time Address Qualification

SignalQual is well suited to qualify addresses. The program uses 10-meter clutter and terrain data, 2-foot resolution on building height, width, and length, and directional antenna gains on both the CPE and the AP, providing unparalleled signal propagation analytics.

Unlike LIDAR, SignalQual can project signal strengths to the address through trees and urban clutter, thus possibly increasing the number of serviceable addresses. It is important to tune your SignalQual application to get the best predictive results.

How to Qualify an Address

Qualify Address Tutorial.mp4

Case 1. Your Company Uses RSI to file your FCC BDC Reports.

Suppose that a prospective customer calls in looking to see if they can get service on your network. You can quickly qualify that address for service and close the sale. And here is how to go about it:

Process:

• Go to SignalQual.com
• Enter your username/password
• On the homepage, click on the icon at the top left next to the RSI logo to expand the menu, if it is not already open. See the figure below.

Click on the Topmost Icon (Hamburger) to Open the Menu

Adjust your settings as follows: (See Figures below)

• Click on Qualify Site-Pt (The tower looking icon)
• Click on Simple Mode (This option shows all the Qualifying APs to the Site)

The Blue Shaded Icons are 'Site-Pt,' and 'Simple Mode.'

I would suggest turning off the ‘Qualify AP’ setting to eliminate AP service coverage layers on the map.

Click on the Triple Sheet Icon to Open the Map Settings

Scroll down to the ‘Qualifications’ Section and turn off the ‘Qualify AP’ setting. This will hide the AP Sector Pattern which will make the map easier to read.

In this instance, we also have ‘Aerial Hybrid,’ and ‘OSM Road’ turned on in the ‘Title Layers’ section. This permits you to see an aerial photo and roads around the address.

Turn On 'Aerial Hybrid,' ‘OSM Roads,’ and Turn Off 'Qualify APs'

SignalQual will save your settings once you chose them. So, if you leave and then come back into the program, the settings will already be set with where you left them.

OK, so let’s qualify the address:

Settings are made, the map is open. Type the address into the address bar at the top of the screen. Notice the address bar will attempt to identify the address in question as you type the address. Select the address that most closely matches.  Upon selection, the map will recenter to that address. See Below.

Start Typing the Address and Select the Most Closely Matched

Notice that the address is centered on the map. If there is a green dot at that location, then during the last BDC filing RSI determined that service can be provided there. If you have not used RSI to file your FCC BDC Reports, then no dots will be present. See ‘Case 2’ below. In this case, there is a green dot so we can tell the prospective customer that service is available at that address.

The Green Dot in the Image Represents a Serviceable Location

To get the service speeds, click on the dot and wait. There will be a notice that says, ‘Fetching Profile… please wait.’

Notice the Alert, 'Fetching Profile... please wait.'

When the new window appears, information about that address will be displayed on the left side of the screen and all the qualifying profiles will appear on the right side.  The info on the left identifies the best service speeds for that address.

Max Speeds are Listed on the Left Side of the Screen

There is now sufficient information to close the sale.

Case 2. Your Company Does Not Use RSI to file your FCC BDC Reports.

Suppose that a prospective customer calls in looking to see if they can get service on your network. You can quickly qualify that address for service and close the sale; And here is how to go about it:

Process:

• Go to SignalQual.com
• Enter your username/password
• On the homepage, click on the icon at the top left next to the RSI logo to expand the menu, if it is not already open.

Click on the Topmost Icon (Hamburger) to Open the Menu

Adjust your settings as follows: (See Figures below)

• Click on Qualify Site-Pt (Tower looking icon on the left side)
• Click on Simple Mode (Shows all Qualifying APs to the Site)

The Blue Shaded Icons are 'Site-Pt,' and 'Simple Mode.'

I would suggest turning off the ‘Qualify AP’ setting to eliminate the AP coverage layer on the map. To do this click on the Tri-Level Icon at the top right of your screen. That will open other map settings. We want the ‘Qualification’ Section and then to turn off the ‘Qualify APs’ setting.

Click on the Triple Sheet Icon to Open the Map Settings

In this instance, we also have ‘Aerial Hybrid,’ and ‘OSM Road’ turned on in the ‘Title Layers’ section. This way you will be able to see an aerial photo and roads around the address.

Click on the Triple Sheet Icon to Open the Map Settings

SignalQual will save your settings once set. So, if you leave and come back into the program, the settings will already be set where you left them.

OK, so let’s qualify the address:

Settings are made, the map is open. Type the address into the address bar at the top of the screen.

Notice the address bar will attempt to identify the address in question as you type the address. Select the address that most closely matches.  Upon selection, the map will recenter to that address. See Below.

Start Typing the Address and Select the Most Closely Matched

Now notice that the address is centered on the map.

After finding the location on the map, we will need to enter a CPE height. Normally we would use 23 feet or thereabouts for a roof ridge CPE height. ‘CPE Ht.’ is in the top left side of the page, just under the tool bar. In this case, from prior work we already know that 23 feet will not qualify, so we put in 55 and place the point next to the building where the tower will be installed.

Notice there are 3 qualifying APs, as displayed on the right side of the screen.

Click on the Line to See Site Serviceability Info

To see the information from the profiles, you need to click on the solid line emanating from the site to the AP. See Below. In this case, service is available at the site, with Max Speeds of 500/50 Mbps. The site has qualified, and the sales call can be completed successfully. Time from start of the call to qualification should be less than 5 minutes.

Schedule that Install - The Customer Can Get 500/50 Mbps at That Location

Important Notice:  Sometimes the ‘Fetching Profile… please wait,’ notice does not show up. You only need to click on the map one time. Additional clicking will not help.

Advanced Mode

The difference between ‘Simple Mode’ and ‘Advance Mode’ is; ‘Simple Mode’ displays the APs that can qualify an address, whereas ‘Advanced Mode’ shows the profiles for all APs that cover the address, whether they can provide service or not.

The APs that can provide service have continuous lines between the AP and the site and the non-qualifying APs have dashed lines. The complexity comes in when a tower supports both types of AP, qualifying and non-qualifying. These lines are a combination of both dashed and continuous lines.

To get into ‘Advanced Mode’ click on the ‘Advanced Mode’ icon in the top tool bar. See the illustration below.

Click on Advanced Mode to See All APs Qualification Profiles

By turning off the Aerial view below so we can see the AP traces more clearly.

Notice the numerous dashed lines in the illustration below. These lines correspond to the APs that cannot provide service at the address in question. There is one solid line that is also a dashed line. This line moves from the site to the AP, as does a dashed line. This suggests that there are at least 2 APs on the tower that cover the site, where at least one can provide service at that site. See the figure below.

Aerial View is Turned Off to Better Illustrate the AP Qualification Differences

There are two ways to see which APs can provide service. Scroll up and down the qualification profiles and look for the ones that have ‘True’ identified in the text banner. See the figure below.

Check For 'True' in the Header of the Qualification Profile

The other way is to click on the lines and see which line has a qualifying profile. In addition, the service speed information is provided. The orange part of the line is qualifying, whereas the blue line is non-qualifying. See below.

Click on the Solid Line to See Additional Information

The blue line is non-qualifying, see the figure below.

The Blue line is Non-Qualifying

The RF Propagation Profile Graph – In Depth

In this section we will review the RF Propagation Profile Graph

Overview

The Propagation Profile graph has the following technical information in the top line of text.

• AP Name
• Frequency
• Distance
• Bearing to Address
• Signal Strength
• Served: (true or false)

Review of the Profile Text Line

The key at the bottom of the graph includes Terrain, Clutter, the Fresnel lines, 60% Fresnel lines, and the Line-of-Sight (LOS). In addition, looking at the graph, you can see where clutter moves up away from the terrain, and buildings, with their different heights, are displayed in a salmon color. In this case, the trees are cutting across the LOS. The buildings of various heights are far below the LOS.

In a Lidar setting, this address does not qualify for service because the clutter is considered a solid, impenetrable object. However, in this case, service can be provided from AP Cell10 360 LTE at a distance of 3.03km from the tower, at an angle of 281.49 degrees with a signal strength of -84.28 dB.

By placing your cursor on the graph, you can access additional information

The Heights are Referenced to Sea Level

The map identifies this location with a dark icon on the line.    The location icon moves up and down the LOS on the map as you move through the qualification graph. See the figure below. In this case, the location icon is just below the building on the map. This location corresponds to the location identified on the qualification graph.

The Location Icon is on the Green Line Just Below the Building

SelfQual

SelfQual is a web application that your potential customers can use on your website to check if they can receive service. When the potential customer enters their contact information into the app and clicks ‘Qualify’, their contact data and the data for the best qualifying AP, if there is one, is entered into your billing software, as a lead.

Responses to the query are customizable to meet your needs. Potential Customers get immediate feedback.

RSI supports automated data transfer to Visp, Sonar, Powercode, Splynx, UISP, and Azotel. These are registered trademarks of each company, and we are not promoting any of these companies.

If you want to integrate SelfQual onto your website, please call us at 972-836-7107 or send us an email to BWebster@regulatorysolutions.us.

SignalQual – An Introduction

SignalQual documents, manages, and analyzes your current customers, potential new customers, network designs, fiber and wireline services, network RF propagation characteristics, and individual RF links from AP to an individual customer or specific location.

Get Started

●          Log into the SignalQual website at www.signalqual.com.

●          Enter the same username and password you use to log into app.regulatorysolutions.us

●          From the dashboard, navigate to the ‘map.’ (See Figure Below)

o   When exiting the map, the app retains your settings.

●          The map will center on the US, for first-time users

Access to the Mapping Features

Layer Control

This section identifies the location of the Layer Control Icon and provides a narrative for each of the mapping layers' elements.

Overview of the legend/key

Layer control starts in the upper right corner of the screen. Click on the icon to expand the layers. See the image below.

Layer Control is on the Top Right Side of the Map

Layer Control

Users can toggle control layers on and off. Click on the 'eye' icon to turn the layer on and off. When using the map, you can click and drag to move it or use your mouse or touchpad to zoom in and out. Several layers can be enabled at the same time; however, for Tile Layers, the last layer selected will be displayed.

As you can see, the layers are divided into several key groups, including Tile Layers, Auctions, Subscribers, Network, Network Boundaries, Locations, and Users. The qualify layer does not become visible until you have qualified an address or location on the map. Qualification will be discussed later in this section.

Tile Layers

Tile Layers consists of Base Maps and Overlays. The base maps are consistent with the name selected; for example, OSM Roads will display (OpenStreetMap) roads, Aerial Hybrid will show a combination of aerial photos with associated road maps overlayed, Terrain will display land and water masses, and Clutter will display the ground clutter at 10-meter resolution. A Clutter Legend is displayed  on the bottom right side of the map display once the Title Layers menu is minimized.

Auctions

The auction section of layer control shows CAF-II and RDOF auction areas on the map. Clicking on the shaded areas of CAF-II and RDOF will provide additional information. See the images below.

RDOF Sections Are Visible on the Map

CAF II Auction Areas Are Visible on the Map

Subscribers

Unlicensed/Unlicensed

Subscriber Section Of Map Settings

We can display Subscribers (Unlicensed, Licensed, Fiber, and Associated Tracts) from this section. The values following the subscribers are the total number of subscribers of each type, followed by the number of subscribers that are matched to the FCC BDC Fabric Address Data. The difference in these two numbers are the subscribers addresses not matched to the Fabric Data.

In many cases, the subscriber addresses differ from those in the FCC BDC Fabric Address Data, resulting in no match. RSI employs numerous algorithms to match the address data from the subscriber reports to the Fabric Data.

The map has a layer that displays your subscribers. It takes a few seconds for the subscribers to display. However, the user can select unlicensed, licensed, or fiber subscribers.

In addition, the map will show the tracts where the subscribers reside. It's best to turn off all layers except the OSM Roads layer to see the tracts. Enable both Subscriber and Tract layers to see where your subscribers are relative to the tracts covered. The tracts are shaded darker and separated by dark lines. See Below.

And Sometimes There Is Only One Subscriber in an Entire Tract

When displayed, the subscribers may have a combination of colors and rings, each identifying a different characteristic of the subscriber. The table below identifies these characteristics. The first entries in this table are from the Location Setting. The rest are from the Subscribers Section.

The figure below shows an example of unlicensed subscribers displayed on the map. There are two different subscriber representations here: an Unlicensed subscriber with a fabric address connection with a Dark Blue interior and Dark Blue Ring; And an Unlicensed Subscriber with a dark blue interior and dark red ring.

Figure 81: Example of Subscriber Dots – Notice the Dot Colors and Rings

If you click on the dots, a key to how to read those numbers will appear.

Figure 82: Wireless Unlicensed with no BDC Match

The image will look more like this if we look at the licensed and unlicensed subscribers on the map. You can now see the light blue dots representing the licensed subscribers, with both the red ring (no fabric address connection) and the blue ring (fabric and address connection).

More Licensed and Unlicensed Subs

When we turn on the unlicensed subscribers, a dark blue dot will indicate their locations on the map. If we turn on the licensed subscribers, the display will show both a light blue dot (licensed subscriber) and a darker blue dot (unlicensed subscriber) if both licensed and unlicensed subscribers are in your network.

Turning on the fabric data adds another layer of dots. Light green dots represent serviceable fabric data addresses; red is not serviceable fabric data addresses. See the illustration below.

Fabric Locations - Green (Serviceable) Red (Not Serviceable)

Critical Note – How to Use Your Serviceable Address Data

If you file your BCD Report with RSI, the 'Locations > Fabric (27268)' is followed by a number. This number is the number of addresses covered by your network from the FCC Fabric Data. And the Locations > Serviceable (15222) is also followed by a number. This is the number of Serviceable Addresses by your network within your network coverage area. See the figure below.

The Locations Section Identifies both the Number of Fabric and Serviceable Addresses in Your Network

Why is this Important? From the image above, we can see that this network covers 27,268 addresses, and 15,222 are serviceable with this network. All the addresses are displayed on the map, so you can rapidly see where there are unserved, serviceable addresses.

Tracts

Just as an aside, the user can also turn on tract data. See the illustration below. We will frequently find subscribers in various tracts not covered by the network. (Described below). This could be caused by a nonfabric-standard address or a billing address instead of a physical address in the subscriber database. If there are a few (5 or less), then we typically delete them. However, there are instances where there are large numbers of subscribers with addresses outside the coverage area of the network. We will discuss how to correct this issue later in the manual.

Illustrated Tract Data with Nonfabric Subscriber Connections

Network

Sites

Tower sites or access points are displayed on the map. We request tower-related information (height, site type), but other than the Long/Lat, this other information is just to ensure complete documentation.

APs

We collect information about your APs, such as tower assignment, long/lat, azimuth, beamwidth, above-ground level height in feet (AGL), antenna gain, and frequency. We use and display some of this information on the map. For instance, we display the pie shape created by the azimuth, beamwidth, coverage radius, and frequency. The frequencies will later be color-coded (for now, the colors are random), and we will add a frequency planning tool to the application later.

The illustration below shows a typical AP that might be displayed on the map. The site in the middle (green) has one AP with a 360-coverage area. The AP at the top right has numerous APs illustrated, with several different frequencies and azimuths.

Illustration of AP Sectors

In addition, we can turn on the AP Frequency in the layer control, which will show the radial extent of the AP. The frequency colors are still not associated with any frequency; however, they do show the coverage area of all the APs in an area.

The edge of this radial mapping overlay is the ‘Coverage Extent Polygon.’ See Figure below. While the detailed view might seem busy, its primary purpose is for us to fine-tune the coverage boundary.

Creation of the Serviceable Boundary

A single AP has either a pie shape with the angle defined by the beam width or a 360-degree-disk-shaped coverage area based on the coverage radius and azimuth of the antenna. Numerous APs working in concert create a service area. The outside boundary of this coverage area is called a 'Serviceable Boundary.'  We identify customers with addresses outside the Serviceable Boundary as unserviceable, and we compare the subscribers within the Serviceable Boundary against the tract data. The illustration below identifies just an edge of an actual polygon.

Notice in the figure below that several customers are outside the coverage extent. This is likely associated with an AP Service radius that is too small.

A company may have numerous serviceable polygons, which are combined to create the total serviceable area. The boundary helps ensure that all customers are correctly aligned for reporting purposes.

Boundary of Serviceable Areas

Subscribers' reasons for being outside the wireless coverage area vary including

●          the AP coverage radius being too short

●          the use of billing addresses instead of actual physical addresses

●          and non-advertised one-off point-to-point links.

The reality is that most ISPs face this issue to some extent. This map view helps users identify discrepancies, verify or rectify the addresses, or adjust other parameters. Such discrepancies can cause issues with filing BDC reports, especially if the subscription data and BDC reporting mismatch, leading to reporting errors. This is the leading cause of problems when filing BDC reports. Technically, the error is that we report service to customers in tracts that do not have service. This error completely stops the BDC Filing process until it is resolved.

Network Boundaries

Unlicensed and Licensed Wireless and Fiber/Wireline Bounds can be turned on from the layer control panel under Network Boundaries. The user can upload polygons, create polygons, or draw Fiber/Wireline service runs on the map. The service runs will get a user-identified buffer, and RSI will create the serviceable polygons. See the illustration below. (Fiber, DSL, Cable)

Boundary of Serviceable Polygons

Wireless Bounds

Wireless bounds outline regions of the map where the wireless network can provide service. Not all addresses within the wireless bounds can receive wireless service. If you activate the fabric layer, you can see which are qualified addresses. To see where your subscribers are on the map, turn on the licensed and unlicensed subscriber layers. Wireless bounds include the regions serviced by both licensed and unlicensed network APs.

Unlicensed Bounds

Unlicensed bounds are the same as Wireless Bounds, but they only identify the bounds of the unlicensed network components.

Fiber Bounds

Fiber bounds outline regions of the map where fiber services can be provided and identify specific addresses that can receive fiber services.

Locations

Fabric Locations

If you select Fabric from the Locations Layer Control the map will display the location of all the fabric addresses as red dots. In this instance, we have also turned on  on the Locations > Fabric and the Aerial Hybrid in the Tile Layers seduction  in layer control.

In the figure below, the number following the Fabric (i.e., 26879) is the total number of addresses within your serviceable area. The number behind the Serviceable option represents your network's total number of serviceable addresses. (i.e., 11767)

Layer Control - 26879 is the Total Address Count in Your Network

Sometimes the locations are not located directly on the building.

Fabric Addresses Viewed on Top of Aerial Hybrid

Serviceable Locations

RSI performs propagation analysis on all the fabric addresses within your wireless boundaries to determine serviceability. In Layer Control > Locations, click on the Serviceable icon to see where the propagation analysis identifies address serviceability. Green dots represent these locations. (See the figure below).

Notice the Overlay of Green Dots (Serviceable) on the Fabric Addresses

If you click on any of the points, the program will display the results of the propagation analysis. (See the figure below). The solid lines emanating from the location identify serviceable AP connections. The dashed lines represent APs in the address range but cannot provide serviceability due to clutter or terrain obstructions.

Propagation Profiles to a Fabric Address

Fiber Locations

Serviceable fiber locations can be displayed on the map. If fiber routes have been entered for your network, to view the routes,  go to Locations > Fiber Locs and click on the icon. Determination of serviceable fiber addresses is related to either Fiber Bounds or Fiber Routes created in the program or uploaded to the program by the user. (See Additional Tool Sets)

Possible Serviceable Fiber Locations

Users

Users can display routes and polygons that they have added to the program. (See Additional Tool Sets)

Fabric and Subscriber Address Matching and Connecting

Matching fabric and subscriber address data is important. Matching subscribers with the fabric data ensures that your BDC reports reflect as many residential and business subscribers as possible. This may help prevent competitors from encroaching on your market with government money.

RSI attempts to match the fabric addresses with your subscriber addresses. It isn't easy to match addresses (from your subscriber address list) that contain unit or suite numbers or other non-conforming information to the BDC Fabric. For example, in Texas, we describe roads as FM and use these abbreviations in our subscriber data. The BDC Fabric addresses in Texas define this as the 'Farm Market.'  The matching algorithms to match up addresses require a 97% match to connect the two addresses from different data sets.

We've devised a method for matching unmatched addresses. If there are many unmatched addresses, it may be worthwhile to match these addresses.

Here’s how:

●          Address dots with a red ring are un-matched.

●          Turning on the Fabric Layer: Activating the fabric layer displays little red dots representing each address.

●          Zooming In: Zoom in to see specific addresses, even if it hides some features like streets. Clicking on the dots will identify the address, whether Fabric or from your subscriber database.

●          Matching Process: Click on an unmatched address (one of the red ring subscribers) to view its address. Then click on a red fabric dot nearby.

●          Linking Addresses: If the addresses appear to be the same, click on the unmatched address and click ‘link.’ Then click on the fabric address that most closely matches that address.

●          Outcome: A successfully linked address connected to a BDC location will be qualified for BDC filing.

The following figures illustrate the process of linking the subscriber and fabric addresses.

Step 1. Let's start by turning on just the unlicensed subscribers (Subscribers > Unlicensed), then turn on the Fabric (Locations > Fabric). If you choose, then also turn on the Aerial Hybrid (Tile Layers > Base Maps > Aerial Hybrid)

Layer Control

Step 2. Find a subscriber with a red ring around it. This indicates that the subscriber is not connected to the fabric address data. Notice that the fabric data is on the house, and the subscriber address is in the yard.

Fabric and Subscriber Address Locations

Step 3. Click on the subscriber and note the address.

Note the Address of the Subscriber's Location

Step 4. Now click on the fabric location and note the address again. (See Figure below)

Note the Address of the Fabric Address

 Step 5. The addresses match: look at the figures above and notice a 'Link' button on the window. Click the 'Link' Button. The app will then ask you to click the fabric address you want to link to. See the figure below.

Now Click the Fabric Address Location to Link

Step 6. When you click on the fabric address, the program confirms that you want to link to the selected address. See Below.

If all is Correct, 'Link to Customer'

That is all it takes. The subscriber data will change color to reflect the linkage to the fabric address. See below.

Dark Blue Dot/Darker Blue Ring is an Unlicensed Sub with a Fabric Connection

Additional Tool Sets

There are five tools available on the mapping application. These tools are as follows:

Map – Click on the Map tool to return the user to normal mode.

Qualify Site-Pt – This permits the user to create an RF Propagation Profile between an AP and a location on the map (either an address or just a random point on the map)

Create Polygon—The user can draw polygons on the map to include addresses serviced by technologies other than wireless (Fiber, Cable, DSL).

Create Route – The user can trace the location of a technology like fiber and then add a buffer around the route to capture addresses that may be serviceable.

Ruler – The user can estimate the straight-line distance between two or more points on the map. This tool is helpful for backhaul location planning or estimating the miles of fiber required for a job.

Simple Mode – When qualifying a location, Simple Mode will only show the APs able to provide service for that site.

Advanced Mode - Advanced Mode will display all APs that provide coverage to the address, regardless of whether they can provide service.

Here is an expanded view of the toolbar. Hovering over the icons displays a name tag. We will go over each tool in detail, starting with the Qualify Site-Pt Tool.

The Tool Bar is on the Top Left Side of the Map

You may notice the + and – signs just below the tools. These tools will either zoom in or out of the map.

Normal Map

Using various tools from the toolset will create tool layers. To remove these layers from the map, click on the Map tool, which will remove them.

Qualify Site-Pt Tool

The Qualify Site-Pt Tool is used to qualify a location (address or point) on the map from all serviceable/non-serviceable APs in your network. The qualification uses 10-meter terrain and ground clutter data; building sets at 2' resolution on placement, height, length, and width.

To start the process

●          Click on the Qualify Site-Pt Icon. (Tower Icon on the toolbar)

●          Enter a CPE Height. If you leave that box blank, it will default to the RF standard for CPE height.

●          Now click on the map where you want to qualify for service.

The qualification profiles will be created and inserted on the right side of the screen. In addition, a new feature called 'Qualification' will appear in the Layer Controls. Qualify in Layer Control includes Qualify Paths and Qualify APs.

Enable and Disable the Qualification Settings

There are projection pie shapes from each AP that include the point of interest and solid and dashed lines from the APs to the point on the map. The solid line represents APs that can service the address, and the dashed lines represent APs that cannot.

The Map Can Be Very Busy

By going to Layer Control and Qualify and turning off 'Qualify APs,' only the solid and dashed lines will remain on the map. The solid lines (or multiple colored dashed lines, meaning there is more than one AP on the tower that can service the address) represent APs that can service the location, and the single dashed lines emanate from APs that cannot provide service.

As you can see, the map becomes much more evident when you turn off the Qualify APs control.

The Map Is Less Cluttered with the Qualify AP Turned Off

In the figure below, the red line pointing to the west is a qualifying profile. The profile for this line is the top profile on the right side of the profile columns. Moving your cursor on the profile will display various information about heights (ground level, level of clutter, Fresnel height, 60% Fresnel height, and height of line-of-sight). In addition, a cross-hair will move along the red line on the map, relating to where your cursor is on the propagation profile.

The Westerly Pointing Red Line Qualifies the Address and is the Top Profile of the Right Side

If you click on the profile line, it will provide extensive information. See the figure below.

Click the Profile Line to See Info On the Signal Link

The profiles include clutter categories. The graphs include terrain, clutter, Fresnel elevations, and 60% Fresnel elevations. The line from the AP to the point on the map also identifies the location where we are looking on the profile.

Qualification Profile displays elevations for Clutter, Terrain, Fresnel, and 60% Fresnel Zones on a sliding scale

Clutter

Click on 'Clutter' in the 'Base Maps' to show clutter.

Clutter on the Maps Correlate with the Clutter on the Profiles

Create Polygon Tool

The Polygon Tool is used to create boundaries. Addresses within the Polygon can receive service. When making the Polygon, select a technology, create a name for the Polygon, and select up and download speeds for the service area. The technologies to choose from include Fiber, Cable, DSL, Copper, and a user-defined selection.

To create an enclosing polygon, follow these steps.

●          Click on Create Polygon from the toolset

●          Select a type (Fiber, Cable, DSL, Copper, User defined).

●          Enter a Name

●          Enter the up and download speeds that will be available in the Polygon.

●          Click Save.

Select Tech, Name, and Speeds for the Polygon and Press Save 

Once you have selected save, a marker tool with the inscription 'Click to Start Drawing Shape' will appear in the top left corner. So, find the beginning of our Polygon and begin inscribing its boundaries. The user may elect to turn on the 'Aerial Hybrid' map view to ensure you capture the homes and businesses where you can provide services.

Begin the polygon by selecting an endpoint and continue to draw lines by clicking the marker on the map. You may choose as many line segments as you wish. Once complete, you may end your polygon by clicking on the original starting location or double-clicking on the map. The polygon will now be complete. If the polygon name does not show up in the user section of the layer control, refresh the map, and it will appear. The following section contains some illustrations depicting this process.

Notice the Click to Start Drawing Shape in the Top Left Corner

Use the marker tool to outline the polygon. The line segments can be as short or long as needed and can make radical changes in direction if required. To complete the polygon, take the marker to the original mark on the map or double-click the marker.

Click Multiple Times to Follow the Road

Completed the Polygon by Clicking on the First Entry Point

Go to layer control and turn on the fabric data to see the addresses in your polygon.

Turn on the Fabric Data

Fabric Addresses Appear in the Polygon.

Click Save to finalize the polygon creation. You can also edit the polygon by clicking 'Edit.' Other options include 'Delete' and 'Cancel.' After you click on Edit, you can move the markers around the map, changing the shape of your polygon.

Chose - Edit, Delete, Save, or Cancel the Route

To see the ‘Polygon’ show up in the User section of the Layer Controls, you may need to refresh the map. To do so, click on the Dashboard Icon and then click on the Main Map Icon.

To Refresh the Map, Click on The Dashboard and then the Main Map

Create Route Tool

The Create Route Tool traces the service lines in your market. This can include any of these technologies: Fiber, Cable, DSL, Copper, or a user-defined technology. Once the route is created, a polygon will surround it at the buffer distance that was selected in the route creation process.

Select Tech, Name, and Speeds for the Polygon, Buffer, and Press Save

To create the route using the Route Tool:

●          Select the Create Route Tool

●          Select the Type (Fiber, Cable, DSL, Copper, User Defined).

●          Enter a Name

●          Enter the up and download speeds for the route.

●          Enter the buffer (in Feet) surrounding the route where you can provide service.

●          Select Save

Once you have done this, there will be a marker tool that you can move over to the mapping area. You may also select to turn on the hybrid map view to ensure you follow the correct route. Begin the route creation by choosing an endpoint and continue to draw lines by clicking the marker on the Map. You may select as many line segments as you wish. Once complete, you may end your route by double-clicking on the Map. Double-clicking the Map will create a route on the Map. If the route name does not show up in the user section of the layer control, refresh the Map, and it will appear. The following section contains some illustrations depicting this process.

Click to Begin and Click to Change Directions

Click an End Point and Start Again Somewhere Else

Pick Up at a New Location; Click the End Point to Turn it Off.

Chose - Edit, Delete, Save, or Cancel the Route

To see the route show up in the User section of the Layer Controls, you must refresh the Map. To do so, click on the Dashboard and then click on the Normal Map Icon.

Refresh the Map. Click on The Dashboard and then the Main Map.

Once you have saved and refreshed the Map, your route will appear in the Layer Controls. The number behind the route name is the distance in yards. If you click on Fiber Bounds under Network Boundaries, you will see the bounded area of the route that you have just created. See the figure below.

Boundary of the Route Just Created

Ruler (or Distance) Tool

The Ruler measures routes along the Map. When you need to change direction, click on a marker, and the distance from the last marker will be shown on the Map.

The Ruler is Located on the Map Toolbar

To Use the Ruler:

●          Click on the Ruler Tool

●          Click on the starting point on the Map

●          Clicking consecutive locations will create additional distances on the Map.

This image shows where the Ruler has been clicked on the Map several times.

The Distance Tool Keeps Track of Our Distances Between Points on the Map

A description at the bottom left side of the Map identifies the total distance traversed and the distance of the current mark to the marker.

The Distance Tool Keeps Track of Our Distances Between Points on the Map

Search

There is a search function at the top center of the Map. For all search options, the program auto-fills as you enter characters. Various search options include Address, Locations, Subscribers, APs and Towers. 'Address' is used when looking for a specific address. 'Locations' utilizes the BDC Fabric location number to find a particular address. 'Subscribers' searches for character similarities in the subscriber number and address databases. 'APs' find and center on the location of the AP in question. And 'Towers' finds and centers on the tower of interest.

The Search Feature is in the Top Center of the Map

The search feature can find address locations. Click in the search box and begin to type the address of interest. A list of similar addresses will start to appear. See Example below.

Begin Typing the Address of Interest into the Search Box

When you click on an address that matches your search criteria, the map will instantly center itself on that location and drop a flag. Clicking on the flag will immediately display an identification box with the address, longitude and latitude, and the option to qualify the address. See below for a visual representation.

Clicking on the Flag Will Display the Address and a Qualification Button

Clicking on the Qualify Button will generate qualification profiles for each servicing AP within your network. The figure below is an example of the Qualify button results.

 Dashed Lines are Non-Qualifying Profiles; Solid Lines are Qualifying

Revision History