Zoey Cunningham ‘26, Photo Editor
Internet problems have been a rising concern in recent years. It is rapidly becoming more common that people switch providers more freely and ignore doing research as they just want a more reliant, faster, and efficient network. WOW internet claims to be one of these top contenders, stating that they have “the coverage you expect on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network.” While their internet may be reliable and efficient, their approach to getting customers is not.
The company has taken matters into their own hands and deemed it acceptable to rip up yards, with the needed permits, in order to provide their consumers with a faster network. However, it is people who are not connected to this service experiencing the disadvantages. WOW has gone to random neighborhoods all throughout the country and dug up lawns belonging to families with their company, or with different providers. Despite what this company is doing being morally wrong, as it is invading others personal space, it is not considered illegal, so there have been no legislative attempts to stop them.
Internet companies tear up yards for fiber installation due to right-of-way easements which allow them to access and use portions of private property for utility infrastructure. The fear of knowing any day your yard could be ripped up and destroyed is present in many suburban families. In addition, the ruined yard is just left, no compensation, no restoring of the grass ripped out, the WOW company just moves to the next house.
WOW internet was composed in the later 1990s and started gaining more attraction in 2008-2010. This destruction of yards has been happening for a few years now and began around 2020. They have ripped down yard after yard without permission from the homeowners, and although companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and Google also use fibers to give their customers internet access, they are not leaving the yards destroyed and displeasing looking. Not only are the yards the opposite of a pleasant sight, it is a safety hazard for children with cracked sidewalks, trenches, and damaged landscapes and plants. The damaged yards can ruin the traction of new homeowners in the area as the ripped up yards make neighborhoods look less uniformed and acceptable.
Overall, as a homeowner, what can you do? Yet again, since it is not illegal, since utility companies have the right to access or dig up areas of a lawn in order to install or maintain utility lines, there is no easy way to stop them. However, you can document all the damage, call the company and demand restoration of your yard, contact local officials to see if there is anything they can do, and check the rights of your property.
Lyon Life 