Phone company cable running through my backyard (power lines, houses)
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So the other day I was doing yard work and noticed a new black wire running across the length back edge of my backyard. Looking at the cable, it looks like a phone line, and originates from a telephone pole, but is not suspended in the air, just lying on the ground. It goes a few houses over to another house. Does the phone company have a right to just lay a wire across my yard without my permission? And its really sloppy and ugly, just laying on the ground. What happens if I "accidentally" run it over with my lawn mower?
If your lines run along the backyard utilities have access. They're probably running out new lines, possibly fiber optics, and will put them in place when old one comes down.
Most likely it's a temporary line because someone is having an issue with their original feed. Why not ask your neighbor about it and then call the utility to see when it will be removed?
I've got a Verizon cable hanging at eye level in the back of my backyard and on the ground in my neighbor's yard. It's been there at least a few months. I draped it behind my six foot fence.
So the other day I was doing yard work and noticed a new black wire running across the length back edge of my backyard. Looking at the cable, it looks like a phone line, and originates from a telephone pole, but is not suspended in the air, just lying on the ground. It goes a few houses over to another house. Does the phone company have a right to just lay a wire across my yard without my permission? And its really sloppy and ugly, just laying on the ground. What happens if I "accidentally" run it over with my lawn mower?
Figure out what it is:
A phone line will have 2 conductors. They will be bound together and look an awful lot like a lamp cord. If you follow with your eye up to the pole, it will originate from one of the 2 lowest lines. The uppermost line it the power line.
Power lines originate from those sort of trash can things hanging on the pole. They are actually transformers. If you have a power line on the ground, call NOW!
Cable company lines are round and are usually the lowest ones on the pole. They are laid out on the ground sometimes in preparation for burying, which is done by a subcontractor. I have seen them laid out and then forgotten, so a call may be needed to get things going. My bet is that is is a cable "drop", as they call it.
Yes. Power, telephone, and cable companies do have the right to lay lines and access their equipment without your permission.
I wouldn't cut it. When you screw people for the fun of it they very often find a way to get even. It's not permanent and it's not hurting anything. I would call about it, though.
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