What does strand and lash mean?

Strand and lash is the standard method for building aerial fiber. A steel messenger strand is attached and tensioned between poles, then the fiber cable is lashed to it with a thin wire that a lashing machine wraps in a spiral as it travels along the span. The strand carries the load so the cable does not.

What is make-ready and who does it?

Make-ready is the work needed on existing poles before a new attachment fits, such as moving cables, raising attachments or replacing a pole. It is done by the pole owner or existing attachers, because a fiber contractor generally cannot move another company's facilities. The fiber contractor surveys, documents and coordinates the process.

When is aerial fiber a better choice than underground?

Aerial often makes sense where poles already exist with space for a new attachment, where ground conditions make boring costly, or where speed and cost matter most. Underground suits areas with no poles, crowded pole lines, or strong storm exposure concerns. Many real routes use both, switching at risers where conditions change.

Overlash adds a new cable to an existing strand and cable by lashing over them, instead of placing a separate strand. It can save pole space and avoid some make-ready, but it adds weight and size to the existing span, so it still needs approval from the pole owner and the existing cable owner.

Who should read these aerial work articles?

ISPs planning pole attachments, OSP engineers designing aerial routes, and project managers who need to understand why aerial schedules depend on make-ready. The articles explain each step in plain terms, so you can plan realistic timelines and know what documentation to expect from pole survey through final attachment records.

Blog Category

Aerial Work

Strand, lash, make-ready and the pole line side of outside plant.

Aerial Work
When Aerial Fiber Makes More Sense Than Underground
Comparing aerial versus underground fiber: cost drivers, schedule risk, wetlands and rock, storm exposure, hybrid routes and how to decide segment by segment.
January 27, 202613 min read
Aerial Work
The Steps Involved in Aerial Cable Construction
The real sequence of an aerial fiber build: permits, survey, make-ready, strand placement, lashing, slack, splicing and OTDR testing, restoration and closeout.
December 2, 202513 min read
Aerial Work
How Make-Ready Work Supports Aerial Fiber Builds
What make-ready covers on an aerial fiber build: pole surveys, loading analysis, simple versus complex work, attacher transfers and how to sequence around it.
October 28, 202513 min read
Aerial Work
What Strand and Lash Installation Really Means
How strand and lash aerial fiber work is actually built: messenger strand tension and sag, the lashing pass, slack storage, overlash rules and pole loading.
September 23, 202513 min read

What these articles cover

These articles explain how fiber is built on utility poles. Aerial fiber hangs from a steel messenger strand attached to each pole, and the cable is lashed to the strand with a thin wire wrapped in a spiral. Before any of that, make-ready prepares the poles so a new attachment fits within the required clearances.

Each article covers one part of the aerial build: what strand and lash really involves, how make-ready supports it, the full sequence of steps, and when aerial makes more sense than underground.

Why make-ready sets the aerial schedule

On most aerial routes, the slowest step is not the construction. It is make-ready, the work of moving existing attachments or replacing poles so the new cable fits. That work is done by the pole owner and existing attachers on their schedule, not by the fiber contractor.

Clearances come from the National Electrical Safety Code, or NESC, and the pole owner's own standards. A contractor surveys and documents each pole, coordinates make-ready, and then builds. Understanding that sequence explains why aerial projects can be fast to build but slow to start.

Key takeaways

Aerial fiber is built by tensioning a steel messenger strand between poles and lashing the cable to it with a spiral wrapped wire.
Make-ready is done by the pole owner and existing attachers, and it usually sets the schedule for an aerial project.
Many fiber routes mix aerial and underground construction, switching at risers where conditions change.

Key terms

Messenger strand: A steel wire attached to utility poles and tensioned between them to carry the weight of aerial cable. The fiber is lashed to it, so the strand takes the mechanical load and the cable is protected from strain.
Make-ready: Changes needed on existing poles before a new attachment can be added, such as moving cables, raising attachments or replacing poles. It is done by the pole owner or existing attachers and is often the longest lead item on an aerial route.
NESC: The National Electrical Safety Code. It sets minimum clearances and safety rules for overhead utility lines, including the spacing between communications cables and power lines and the height of cables over roads. Pole owners build their own standards on top of it.
Overlash: Adding a new cable to an existing aerial strand and cable by lashing over them rather than placing a new strand. It saves pole space but adds weight to the span, so it needs approval from the pole owner and the existing cable owner.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does strand and lash mean?: Strand and lash is the standard method for building aerial fiber. A steel messenger strand is attached and tensioned between poles, then the fiber cable is lashed to it with a thin wire that a lashing machine wraps in a spiral as it travels along the span. The strand carries the load so the cable does not.
What is make-ready and who does it?: Make-ready is the work needed on existing poles before a new attachment fits, such as moving cables, raising attachments or replacing a pole. It is done by the pole owner or existing attachers, because a fiber contractor generally cannot move another company's facilities. The fiber contractor surveys, documents and coordinates the process.
When is aerial fiber a better choice than underground?: Aerial often makes sense where poles already exist with space for a new attachment, where ground conditions make boring costly, or where speed and cost matter most. Underground suits areas with no poles, crowded pole lines, or strong storm exposure concerns. Many real routes use both, switching at risers where conditions change.
What is overlash?: Overlash adds a new cable to an existing strand and cable by lashing over them, instead of placing a separate strand. It can save pole space and avoid some make-ready, but it adds weight and size to the existing span, so it still needs approval from the pole owner and the existing cable owner.
Who should read these aerial work articles?: ISPs planning pole attachments, OSP engineers designing aerial routes, and project managers who need to understand why aerial schedules depend on make-ready. The articles explain each step in plain terms, so you can plan realistic timelines and know what documentation to expect from pole survey through final attachment records.

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When Aerial Fiber Makes More Sense Than Underground

The Steps Involved in Aerial Cable Construction

How Make-Ready Work Supports Aerial Fiber Builds

What Strand and Lash Installation Really Means