Buried Service Policy

To receive Maple Broadband fiber internet service, a connection pathway is required from our network to your property. While aerial installation is available for many locations, many customers prefer the aesthetics and protection of buried fiber service, which requires underground conduit installation.

This page provides two essential resources for customers choosing the buried option: a list of local contractors who are familiar with our conduit specifications and available to perform this work, and the detailed technical requirements that must be followed for proper installation. While we maintain this contractor list for your convenience, you are free to choose any qualified contractor, and you remain responsible for ensuring all work meets our standards.

Please review the requirements carefully before beginning your project, as proper conduit installation is critical for reliable service and will prevent delays in your fiber connection. For questions about these requirements, installation options, or the process, contact Maple Broadband customer service at (802) 496-2753.

Conduit Contractors and Requirements

The following contractors have read and understand Maple Broadband’s conduit requirements specified at the bottom of this page, and all have expressed an interest in performing underground conduit work. Maple Broadband makes no representation about the capability, quality, or pricing of these contractors.

Please note that conduit contractors are generally very busy, and you can expect a service delivery delay of six months or more.

Maple Broadband is providing this list as a convenience to our customers. It is the building owner’s responsibility to ensure all work is performed in accordance with Maple Broadband’s conduit requirements.

DeBisschop Excavating	4961 Case St, Middlebury VT	brandon@DeBisschopdigging.com	Brandon Stryker	802-377-9011
Acker Excavating, Inc.	11 A Liberty Street, Bristol VT 05443	info@ackerexcavating.com	Chris Acker	802-453-4678
Lemon Fair Excavating & Landscaping LLC	3102 West St., Cornwall VT 05753	lemonfairex@gmail.com	Jim Payne	802-462-2015
S&J Stearns, Inc	2144 Route 30, Cornwall VT 05753	sjstearnsinc@gmail.com	Sean Stearns	802-462-2341

Underground Fiber Optic Conduit Requirements

1. Before trenching, ask Dig Safe to survey your property and mark any existing buried facilities to be avoided.

2. Conduit should route from your utility pole to your house where the utility boxes are located, and follow the route of other underground utilities.

3. Conduit must be a minimum of 1.5″ diameter for distances under 300 feet. Anything longer than 300 feet 2″ diameter conduit should be installed. Conduit must be “schedule 40 electrical” (not water pipe), and use long sweeps (no 90-degree elbows or “L” shaped angles). We recommend you source the conduit from an electric supply company.

   • Long sweeps only (not 90-degree elbows or “L” shaped angles); fiber cannot be bent at harsh angles because it will cause a poor signal and will break.

4. Conduit over 400 feet in length will require installation of pedestals that are spaced no greater than 400 feet apart. Contact customer service at 877-496-2753 for detailed pedestal information.

5. Conduit must be extended 24” above final grade at the house and 48” above final grade at the pole and permanently secured to the pole and to the house or Also, the conduit on the pole side must come up in the same quadrant (same side of the pole) as existing services. Conduit on the house side MUST come up on the outside of the house.

6. Conduit should be trenched a minimum of 24″

7. After you have laid the conduit in the trench and before backfilling, lay tracer wire (14-16 gauge coated or galvanized steel on top of the conduit for Dig Safe, and to assist in future location.

8. Conduit should be equipped with a 210-250 lbs tensile-strength pull line with no knots or splices. The pull line should extend about 2 feet beyond the ends of the conduit. Tie the end of the pull string around the outside of the conduit at both ends and place an unglued cap over the ends of the conduit to prevent water from entering.

9. No weather heads, There is too high a risk for fiber to break and interrupt service.

10. Conduit at mobile home

    • Preferred Method: Conduit secured tight to the trailer on the outside of skirting.

    • Optional Method: Conduit extended a maximum of 24” away from the structure located outside of skirting to a pressure treated 4×4 post or “H” frame. The top of the pressure treated post or “H” frame should be a minimum of 4 feet above final grade. Under this method, a conduit is still required from the post or frame to the trailer where the fiber is terminated.

11. Fiber conduit can be placed in the same trench as the power conduit as long as a minimum 24” depth is maintained. It is desirable to separate the power and telephone conduits by the width of the ditch

An improper conduit installation will delay your fiber service hookup.