Drop is the term used to describe the process of bringing the fiber optic cable from the main line fiber at the road and connecting it to an enclosure on your residence.
Here is information about the process and sequence of events that will occur.
- MEC’s Underground Contractor (drop installer) will call in a request to Miss Dig. You do not need to call MISS DIG for this.
Miss Dig will locate all public underground facilities and you will see flags on your property marking their location. - When you see these flags , it is a good time to mark / identify any of your
personal underground facilities, including but not limited to: sprinkler systems, propane lines, septic lines, water lines, invisible pet fence, etc. You can use Cones, spray paint, flags, etc.
MEC does not contact people before beginning drop work on their property, unless you requested that during the sign up process.
3. MEC’s Underground Contractor will bury a fiber optic cable from the main line to your home
4. A housebox (enclosure) will be placed on the outside of your home. This will be where the fiber will enter your home. This can be where all other utilities are located, where your current internet/telephone service enters your home, or just the best location to reach the desired end point. This something you specified during the sign up process.
5. After the drop is complete, there are two steps in the home installation. A Splicing crew is assigned to splice fiber inside the pedestal and housebox/enclosure. This process connects your drop fiber to the main line fiber and adds the fiber cable that will be run into your home. You do not need to be present during this process.
Once the splicing is complete, you will receive a call from MEC to schedule a time for home installation.
Home installs may be either a self install or installation by a technician. In terms of scheduling, one does not happen sooner than the other. In a self install situation.a technician is still present. They bring the necessary electronics for the install and they remain on site (outside of the home) for up to 1.5 hours to ensure the connection is activated. The difference between a self install and a regular in home installation by a technician is that they do not enter your home. If you have concerns about COVID -19 and are not comfortable with the safety protocols outlined in May MEC update, we will support you through a self-installation process.
- Do you have a 5/8-16” drill bit (stick-built house)?
- Do you have a 5/8-16” masonry bit with a hammer drill (brick, cement or anything not stick built)?
- Are you comfortable drilling a hole through your home?
- Are you comfortable installing screw clips to secure the fiber?
- Talk through placement of Modem and determine how much cable is needed.