In the Mailbag

Dear Editor:

I am sure everyone who is getting the new underground fiber optics are excited about the new reliable services being installed in your local area. It will be great to finally have an end to the unreliable satellite dishes hanging on every roof and yard. No longer will you lose your TV or computer when a storm is approaching.

Our local phone company received $8.9 million under the Remote Access Rural broadband Grant program. The phone company does have to cover 25% of the budget or cost. This information is available online and at the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

This is a big project to cover such a large area. Unfortunately, at our farm, we will not receive this service due to budget limitations for one more mile. Yes, we are at the end of the line for our local phone service and they ran out of budget. We are told maybe in a few years, after they receive more grant money, they will be able to install it for our place. I find it hard to believe that they will drag all the equipment back out for one mile. It seems like a case of poor management or no common sense. The crazy part is watching them hook up places that have not had phone service for many years and now have the option to start paying the local phone company for this new technology. We have been a paying customer since the day they installed the then-new line back in the late 60s or early 70s. The underground phone lines we have now are so old that there are many times we don't even have a dial tone or there is so much static you can't use it. The service department tells us the line is bad and it will not support a computer. No bundle service available here.

I would like to know if anyone else has this problem. All of our neighbors are getting the new line, even if they are over a mile from the main line, with no questions asked. It's an automatic hookup.

I don't understand how the installation was mapped out, so I called the phone company to ask for a map of the projected installation, but to my surprise was told that was private information. I asked if they received public grant money for this project. Yes, but they do not have to give out that information. Why? Is it a secret? If you have the time, anyone can follow the new boxes and see where they go.  

This is not only frustrating but makes me nervous when we have an emergency and need to call 911 without running around trying to find a signal on the cell phone because the phone landline is out. Yes, this does happen. Just recently, we had a fire on a windy day and experienced going around looking for service. Thankfully when I did finally get through, the Ewing Fire Department was quick to respond. We thank them for their reliable service, dedication to the community and volunteering their time away from work and family. We appreciate providing service to our farm, despite being the last one in their area. Our neighbors - Irvin, Todd, Jim, John, Levi and Andy - helped us contain the fire until the department brought water. They didn't get a phone call, but like in the old days, they saw the smoke signals and came in a hurry.

I hope that we can continue with a strong community and not let progress change some good old-fashioned common sense.

Thank you, 

Beth Schueth