FairPoint Communications is committed to providing broadband access to the hard-to-reach areas of Vermont, and that sometimes requires the use of low-tech means to provide remote Vermonters connections to the high-tech world. Our construction crew recently teamed up with retired dairy farmer Claude Desmarais and his band of draft horses to help them pull 9,000 feet of fiber as part of a Connect America Fund Phase II (CAF II) job to upgrade our network infrastructure in Sandgate. This project is part of our company’s continuing commitment to build a robust and versatile network that can handle increasing demands for bandwidth.
Sandgate is a small community of 405 residents that sits on the New York border, and is completely surrounded by the Taconic Mountains. Despite its remote beauty, many residents yearn for faster broadband speeds and a more robust connection to the outside world. For those in Sandgate, I’m happy to say the "cavalry" is on the way!
Due to the challenging terrain, normal fiber installation methods are impossible. In order to deliver high-speed broadband, we have had to think outside the box for creative solutions.
For several years now, FairPoint has enlisted the help of Claude Desmarai and his horses to pull the cable through the rugged landscape to hasten the installation process as we deliver faster broadband speeds to area businesses and homes.
Claude’s team of horses includes 2 Belgians: Fred and Pete; and 3 Percherons: Jack, Ben, and Chief.
Chief was on duty this summer working with our installation team. Team members included: Herbert Lang from Rutland; John Moyant from Sunderland; Mike Ciejko and Josh Traverse, both from Rutland; and Todd Gardner, Brad Milligan and Greg Cheeney, all from Dummerston.
John and Claude and Chief pause for a quick picture.
Claude’s horses can usually pull or lash about 8,000 feet a day, and they can cover miles of the backcountry without disturbing the land, which property owners always appreciate.
Due to the terrain and other obstacles, this project took a little longer. The construction team completed the 9,000-foot pull in 5 days, but it would likely take 15 people to accomplish what Claude and his team undertake on any given day. Leveraging Claude’s "horse power" saves us both time and money as we add to the 17,000 fiber route miles we maintain in northern New England.
Working with Claude has allowed us to more efficiently bring high-speed broadband to this community, offering residents a better, faster way to communicate. The collaboration creates a juxtaposition of old world tools delivering cutting-edge, new-world technology. Not many fiber installation crews have the wonderful assistants we had during this project. We can honestly say there was nay (or neigh) a problem.
