We built our house in a rather remote location and have no telephone. The line ends about 1/2 mile away. The phone company wants an astronomical amount to run the line further. I have heard that there is a legal requirement for the phone company to provide service to areas such as ours without our having to foot the bill for the lines.
Does anyone know about this?
Stef
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I had to pay to get the line to my house about a 1/4 mile. They are not required to put the line to every residence, otherwise you could build a solitary house on a mountaintop and "make" them connect you. My local telco does have a construction credit that did help. Maybe yours does also, or you have some neighbors along the way that could cost share getting the line to you.
This issue is why you see rural real estate ads touting utilities already to the property.
That sounds like a question for your state utilities commission. They are the ones who would have to enforce it anyway.
IF the intervening half-mile is on your property, why not have them put their SNI (system network interface, the gray box that demarcates the end of the public network and the start of your "inside wire") on their last pole, and you run the half-mile underground to your house?
You could use the same cable the telco would use for a buried line, gopher-sheilded cat 3, 3 pair or maybe 6 pair. Bury it 12" deep (the burial depth is up to you, telcos and cable cos oftern don't bury subscriber lines much deeper than 12" these days). You'd install another SNI at your house, for lightning protection. See the Clifford Cable website for the cable.
Cliff
What about cell phone service?
New plans can come in cheaper than a regular plan with the local phone company.
I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.
I wish they would come and take mine out!
1-800-remove my phone!!!!
Even easier.Just stop paying the bill..
William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
Reminds me of a local used car dealer.
He told one of my friends, "The quickest way to get back on your feet is to miss two car payments."
Don K.
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