Sempra Set to Run Fiber in Gas Lines

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 15 -- Sempra Energy's Sempra Fiber Links said its new system for running fiber optic cable through natural gas pipelines could begin commercial service in December. Sempra Fiber Links made the announcement after its first installation of the technology in the gas distribution system of Frontier Energy, a Sempra Energy unit in North Carolina.

Sempra's technology involves encasing fiber optic cable in a protective polyethylene conduit before inserting it through the same local gas lines serving utility customers. The company said installing the cable would not prevent a utility from servicing its gas lines or keeping them safe.