DC fiber cut: field report

Fri Jul 18 17:23:56 UTC 1997

> As we left it struck me that this cut was not if, but when. And more cuts

> like it. There was no protection for the cable, no markers of the cable 
> location. 

One of the interesting things about the startup of Wiltel was pulling fiber
through decommisioned gas pipelines; not only do you get a 1/4" steel
backhoe fade margin, but you get scary yellow signs that say "DANGER: HIGH
PRESSURE NATURAL GAS LINE"; cut a piece of innerduct and your boss yells at
you. Bust a gas pipeline and they can bury what's left of the offender in a
thimble - if they can find it.