Employee Connection: Construction Supervisor, Frank Granger

Explore the speed of fiber optic internet and MB vs. GB file sizes. Learn why fiber optics offer faster, more reliable connectivity for homeowners. Discover the benefits with Hunt Communications!

Discover why utility flags have appeared in your yard and how they play a crucial role in ensuring safety during construction. Learn why understanding the color-coded markings of underground utilities is essential for preventing accidents, property damage, and service disruptions.

With most of us working, shopping, gaming, and socializing online, it's no secret that fast internet is currently in high demand.

At one time or another, many property owners find themselves wondering, can a utility company dig in my yard without permission? This is especially true when they come home to find someone unexpectedly digging near their home!

On June 12th, 2023, an initiative titled Internet For All, was announced, promising $714 million in grants and loans to bridge the digital divide in rural areas and connect thousands to reliable and affordable high-speed internet.

If you’ve seen a Hunt Communications team or vehicle on your street, a cable construction project is likely about to begin in your neighborhood! Hunt Communications contracts with cable companies to bring new or improved cable network service to neighborhoods like yours.

In rural or underserved areas, high-speed internet access can have a transformative impact on individuals, businesses, and the community at large. Read the blog to learn about the USDA Federal Initiative to connect rural areas to high-speed internet!

I am an Aerial Lineman at Hunt and have been with the company for six months, but I’ve spent over 40 years in the utility engineering industry itself. I was fourteen when I started working in the cable industry. My sister married a turnkey cable contractor, so I was able to learn about all aspects of the industry from my brother-in-law.

Fast, secure, on-demand internet may seem ubiquitous these days, but in truth, not everyone has equal access to this critical modern resource. Rural communities, isolated communities, and underserved populations often struggle to access reliable internet connections, with many having to travel great distances to do so. Long-distance fiber optic networks are the answer. These fiber networks can provide residents of such communities with the same internet connectivity that residents of major cities enjoy. In doing so, long-distance fiber networks can accomplish more than establishing quick, secure internet connections — they can change lives. Access & Opportunity for Rural Communities A major benefit of long-distance fiber optic networks is its ability to bring high-quality internet connections to rural, isolated and underserved communities. It may surprise you to learn that there are many areas throughout the U.S. which rely on fiber networks to serve their communities from great distances. Without these long-distance fiber connections, these areas would not have internet access at all, as traditional copper-based cable networks were not designed to carry over significant distances. When a previously unconnected community gains access to reliable internet through long-distance fiber networks, a new world of opportunity opens up to its residents. With stable internet connectivity, rural residents can: View & apply to jobs Search & apply for stable housing Complete or check voter registration, renew vehicle registrations, & access other civic e-services Connect with loved ones from a distance via video chat, social media & other platforms Access online educational opportunities Access up-to-date, credible news, information & resources Access to these opportunities and services may be taken for granted in larger, more urban areas, but for residents of rural or underserved areas, they can be life-changing. Long-distance fiber networks are making it happen by providing equitable internet access in areas that private ISPs may not serve. Combating Economic Decline In a world where reliable internet access is a barrier to entry for many economic pursuits, like starting a small business or finding gainful employment, rural and underserved communities are suffering. When internet access is afforded only to those living in major cities or larger urban areas, residents outside of these designated areas are cut off from the opportunities an easily-accessible internet connection can offer, setting them at a distinct economic disadvantage. Think of the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Businesses of all sizes leveraged internet-based services and platforms to pivot to online storefronts, curbside pickup, and other creative means to survive. Without internet connectivity, small businesses didn’t stand a chance — an unfair reality proven especially true for businesses in rural and underserved areas. Thankfully, long-distance fiber networks are helping to even these scales across the nation. The implementation of widespread internet access is an impactful step toward reversing the economic decline of smaller, more rural communities. Unlike private ISPs, fiber networks can be locally managed, which helps ensure that residents have equitable, reliable access. And the effects of implementation are compound: As more networks are built, the easier it becomes for networks to grow and expand — and for the communities that benefit from them to grow economically, too. Texas’s Plan for a Connected Future As it becomes increasingly difficult to conduct business without internet connectivity, the Texas legislature and Governor Abbott are taking steps toward a more connected future for the state by establishing the Governor’s Broadband Development Council. In a recent briefing to the new Council, it was noted that “concerns have been raised that a lack of proper broadband connectivity in rural areas of Texas has left many residents at a disadvantage compared to other areas of the state, leaving rural Texans at risk of being left behind.” The Council aims to address these gaps in broadband access and adoption by understanding who is using broadband connections, what roadblocks are in the way of more widespread connectivity, and identifying solutions that will make connectivity possible for a greater number of Texans. Bring Fiber to Your Neighborhood Interested in installing a fiber optic network in your town, municipality, neighborhood or business? Contact us today to learn more about how Hunt Communications can help! If you’re a resident interested in learning more about the benefits of a fiber optic cable network installation in your community, check out Hunt’s Resident FAQ! It answers all the common questions about our work and its benefits, including a breakdown of the installation process.