Agricultural burning is an essential way of life in rural America. Burning helps remove weeds, prevent disease, control pests, and remove crop residues. All too often, however, it damages essential telephone company equipment, especially the roadside green pedestals and fiber optic or copper cabling necessary to provide Internet and telephone service to subscribers.

The average cost per burning incident – that is, damage to or destruction of a pedestal – for Millry Communications to repair or replace its infrastructure is $28,636.36. Plus, it usually interrupts telephone and Internet service to multiple customers for an extended time.

Thank you for doing your part to protect our vital communication infrastructure!