Other problems in laying Fiber. . .!
latimes.com
Isn't that just TOO MUCH!?
Here we are. . . waiting for this wonderful stuff to happen and now we have to worry about (and probably pay-for) some Beauty Band-aid!!
They're all bent out of joint because the 'box' is above ground. . . 14" high, 32" wide. . .!?
Big deal. . . still better than telephone poles. . .!
My, how we get spoiled!
And they keep telling me "2-4 months"!
Let's see. . . they started last August (almost a year). . . they have finished 270 miles out of 460 miles total. . .
59% done. . . Will be just a tad longer than 2-4 months I'd say. . .
Oh well, back to the Dream board. . .
Joe
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Friday, June 22, 2001 | Print this story
News from Rancho Cucamonga in the Times Community Newspapers
Citizens complain about cable covers
Charter Communications officials try to resolve concerns about
'unsightly' equipment.
By SELICIA KENNEDY-ROSS / SELICIA.KENNEDY@LATIMES.COM
RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Charter Communications, the
city's cable TV provider, is working to bring more channels,
high-speed Internet access and digital programming to the city, but
some residents don't like the looks of the boxes the company is
using to cover its equipment.
The company is upgrading 460 miles of fiber-optic cable, some
of which will run through Rancho Cucamonga. The upgrade
includes light green plastic box covers, which are usually placed
about 1,600 feet apart on easements and on the lawns of some
residents.
The plastic covers, which the company calls pedestals, are
placed above ground and are 14 inches high and 32 inches wide.
The covers protect the 90-volt cable conduit connections inside
from heat and moisture, Charter Communications officials said.
"The equipment needs air ventilation to keep the equipment
cool, so that's why it needs to be above ground," said Christian
Leese, the cable company's project manager.
Resident Michelle Allen complained to the City Council earlier
this month about the box, which she called "huge" and "unsightly."
Allen also handed pictures of the box to council members, saying
she believed it lowered the value of her property.
Charter officials have since provided Allen with a pedestal that
looks like a rock.
Leese told council members Wednesday that the company is
willing to work with any residents to resolve their concerns about
the pedestals.
Leese suggested that landscaping such as rocks or flower beds
can hide the boxes.
Homeowners can also purchase pedestals that are designed to
look like rocks, which cost $150 to $175, he said.
"I've received many calls about" the boxes, said Duane Baker,
assistant to the city manager. "A day does not go by that I do not
receive a call about it."
"I feel very confident that [Charter is] trying to work with the
residents. I know they have been because I have gotten some
feedback from residents who the company has contacted and
worked with."
Mayor Bill Alexander said that several people have called him
within the past month about the issue.
"I think they were accustomed to seeing a very low-profile box
and they had somewhat of an understanding that there wouldn't be
any significant changes with the upgrade," Alexander said. "So I
think they were a little surprised about the boxes."
The new system will offer fiber-optic cable modems for Internet
users, allowing much faster transmission rates than dial-up modems
using telephone lines. High-speed Internet access service, called
Charter Pipeline, will rival DSL (digital subscriber line) service
provided by telephone companies and other firms, Charter officials
say. Fiber optic cables can carry much more data at greater speed
than can be transmitted on copper telephone lines and are less
likely to get overloaded, the company said.
The company began installing the $40-million cable network last
August. So far, it has completed 270 miles of the 460-mile cable
upgrade.
Copyright © 2001 Los Angeles Times
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