Why We Use Temporary Drops During Winter Installations
We know the excitement of signing up for fiber internet; you’re ready for the fastest, most reliable speeds available in New York and Pennsylvania. However, when the lake-effect snow hits and the ground freezes, our standard underground installation process must adapt. To ensure you aren’t stuck waiting until the spring thaw to enjoy your new service, we utilize temporary drops during winter installations to get you online as quickly as possible.
What is a Temporary Drop (and How it Works)?
A “temp drop” is an above-ground fiber line that runs from our neighborhood fiber hub near the street directly to your home. It provides the same high-speed fiber experience you expect, but instead of being buried immediately, the line sits safely on the surface of the ground. This allows us to activate your service now and return later in the spring to complete the permanent, underground burial when the weather permits.
Why Can’t We Bury Fiber in the Winter?
There are two main reasons why our crews in New York and Pennsylvania must pause underground digging during the colder months:
1. Frozen Ground: Trenching equipment can’t safely reach the required depth when the soil is frozen like concrete. The yearly “January thaw” isn’t enough to help; the soil must be fully thawed at least a foot deep before we can safely use our trenching equipment.
2. Oversaturated Soil: Between melting snow and heavy spring rains, the soil often becomes muddy. Digging in these conditions isn’t just difficult for our technicians; it’s bad for your property. We want to ensure that when we bury your line, we leave your lawn, gardens, and landscaping looking as good as we found them.
What to Expect on Installation Day
If our technicians determine that the ground is too frozen or wet for burial, they will perform a temporary drop.
- Connection: We will run a fiber line from our neighborhood fiber hub (called MST in technical terms, the neighborhood fiber hub in your neighborhood, where the main fiber line connects individual homes) across your property to the entry point of your home.
- Safety & Durability: While we don’t recommend you handle the line, it’s not dangerous. Fiber technology consists of tiny glass strings that transmit light. So unlike live electrical wires, there is no risk of electric shock.
- Winter Maintenance: While the lines are durable, we do ask that you keep an eye out for them when clearing snow. Try to avoid hitting the line with snowblowers or heavy shovels to prevent a service interruption.
Spring Burial: Timeline & Notifications
As the ground thaws and dries, typically mid-to-late spring, our burial crews return to your neighborhood to place lines underground and restore property. We’ll notify you ahead of time, and you don’t need to be home.
We appreciate your patience as we navigate the New York and Pennsylvania winters together! Our goal is to get you connected to the fiber power you deserve, regardless of the temperature outside.
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