At Forked Deer Connect, we’re committed to delivering fast, reliable, and affordable fiber internet to the communities we serve. As we expand our services into Halls & Dyersburg, one key part of the process is securing easements from property owners in certain areas. Easements are essential to ensuring a smooth and efficient installation of our fiber network, allowing us to bring high-speed internet to homes and businesses.
We understand you may have questions about what an easement is and how it impacts you, so we’ve put together this FAQ guide to help.
What is an easement?
An easement is permission for us to install fiber lines on a small portion of your property—typically along the road or property edge. It does not mean we own your land, only that we have the legal right to access it for fiber installation and maintenance when necessary.
Why did I receive a letter from Linderlake Corporation?
Linderlake Corporation is a third-party contractor we’ve hired to handle the easement process on our behalf. They are assisting us in obtaining the necessary permissions to install fiber in designated areas.
What if I didn't receive a letter from Linderlake Corporation?
If you didn’t receive a letter, an easement is not required for your property at this time. No action is needed, but you can stay updated on our expansion by subscribing to our blog for the latest news and progress updates!
Why do we need easements?
To build and maintain a high-speed fiber network, we need access to certain properties for underground installation. Easements allow us to place fiber in the most efficient locations while ensuring long-term service reliability. By running fiber underground, we can protect it from storms, accidents, and everyday wear and tear, meaning fewer outages and a stronger, more dependable connection for your community.
Why not use city right of way?
We are! In areas where the city right of way is available and wide enough, we coordinate closely with city officials to install fiber there. However, in some locations the right of way becomes too narrow for us to safely place fiber lines. When that happens, the only viable option is to run the fiber just inside your property line—which is why easements are needed in certain areas. These easements ensure we can complete construction safely, efficiently, and without compromising service quality.
What will fiber installation look like on my property?
We will be using specialized equipment and directional boring to seamlessly run fiber lines beneath your property. FDC may install a flowerpot or vault, which are designed to be low-profile and unobtrusive. Our team takes great care to minimize disruption, and if any disturbances occur, we will restore the area as needed.
How will this easement benefit me?
Granting an easement helps bring fast, reliable fiber internet to your home and community—without unnecessary delays. By allowing us to install underground fiber, you’ll experience fewer outages, faster speeds, and a more dependable connection. Fiber internet also historically increases property value and supports economic growth for the entire area.
What should I do if I have concerns about the easement process?
If you have any questions or concerns about the easement paperwork or how the fiber will be installed on your property, please reach out to Taylor Roberts or Jeff Shults on our Fiber Buildout Hotline at 731‑903‑7575. Just leave a message, and we’ll return your call as soon as possible.
Both Taylor and Jeff are local team members located right here in Halls, and they’re happy to answer questions, walk you through the process, or even meet with you in person to show you where the fiber would run.
What happens if I don’t want to grant an easement?
In order to bring fiber service to your home or property, easements are necessary to access specific areas for installation. If you decide not to grant one, it may delay the construction process and extend the timeline for bringing fiber to your entire area. If you have concerns, please reach out to us, and we’ll work together to find a solution. We’re committed to bringing reliable service to your community as quickly as possible.
What if I don’t sign an easement now but decide I want service later?
If you choose not to sign an easement now but later decide you want Forked Deer Connect service, you may be required to pay an Aid to Construction fee to cover the cost of extending fiber to your property. Signing the easement now ensures that fiber can be installed at no additional cost to you during the initial buildout, making it the most cost-effective option for securing high-speed internet service in the future.
What if I already have fiber?
Fiber internet—no matter who provides it—is a great asset. But choosing a locally owned and operated provider like Forked Deer Connect means you’re working with people who live in your community and care about it. When you need help, you’re talking to a neighbor, not a distant call center.
Plus, as previously stated, more fiber options in an area historically increase property value and encourage healthy competition. Even as our service offerings have evolved, our prices have remained the same since we launched in 2019. More choices keep everyone honest, and ultimately, more choices mean better value for you, the subscriber.
What’s next?
Construction is officially underway! 🚧
We’ve finished construction and are available for signups in Zones 1 & 2 of Halls and have begun building in Zones 1 & 2 of Dyersburg.
To keep construction moving forward, we still need completed easements in:
- Halls: Zones 3–5
- Dyersburg: Zone 3 (Jenkinsville Jamestown Rd, Simpson Hill Rd, Revell Rd, & Burgies Chapel Rd)
These easements are essential for us to continue expanding the network and delivering fast, reliable, local fiber internet to you and your neighbors.
If you're unsure whether your property is in a zone that still needs an easement—or if you have questions about your easement packet—please reach out! We're here to help you understand exactly what’s needed and how the process works.
For Halls—Check out our interactive map detailing that status of your area: https://bit.ly/fdcbeyond
