[AT] OFF Topic: 4 month Verizon WAR

[Spencer Yost]

First, an obligatory tractor reference. I installed the cable using a subcontractor but did the final grading and planting behind them with an antique tractor.

Full story is, a neighbor and I installed the underground cable from the nearest access point down to our houses.  Because the cable company would pick up some more customers in addition to us, they gave us a break on our first years bills and took over ownership and maintenance.  That was substantial in the old days when commercial grade internet speeds were very expensive and maintenance was expensive(access boxes were upgraded three times in quick succession).

 We bought left-over cable from a commercial installer and found a trenching company employee who was allowed to use his bosses equipment after hours. So he gave us a very, very good price on trenching the cable.

I did not come out ahead but I didn't lose any money on that deal and I got cable 10-20 years sooner.  Splitting it with a neighbor was key though.  The cable company was very receptive about expanding service and was very willing to work with us.

I am not sure how much sense that makes in today's world, but maybe that might work for some of you?   We only had to trench about 1/2 mile though.  Some of you sound much farther than that.  

This message traveled over that cable 20 years later....

Spencer