Blog

Bringing Local Fiber to Your Neighborhood: What to Expect

By Taylor Roberts , on 12 January 2026 16:26

We’re excited to be bringing LOCAL fiber to the area and future-proofing your service by making it 100% underground! Our goal is to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity while keeping your community beautiful. We know construction can feel disruptive, so we want to share exactly what happens during the buildout and what you can expect along the way.

Our Process – Step by Step

Step 1: Locating & Marking Utilities

Before any digging begins, we work with all the proper parties to locate and mark underground utilities. This step ensures safety and prevents damage to existing infrastructure.

Step 2: Excavation & Directional Boring

We use directional boring—not trenching—to install conduit underground. This method minimizes yard disruption and keeps your property looking neat. In areas where other utilities are present, we may dig or vacuum to expose and protect those lines.

Step 3: Pulling Conduit

Conduit is placed underground to house the fiber. You may notice conduit sticking out of the ground for 2–3 weeks (depending on weather) before vaults are installed. During this time, we make sure all dirt is placed on pallets to keep yards tidy.

Step 4: Placing Vaults and Flower Pots

Vaults and “Flower Pots” (not the kind for plants!) are installed to connect and manage fiber lines. These boxes sit flush with the ground, so they can be safely mowed over and walked on without issue.

Step 5: Pulling & Splicing Fiber

Fiber is pulled through the conduit and spliced to prepare for service activation. This is the step that brings high-speed connectivity to your home.

Step 6: Cleanup & Restoration

We take pride in leaving your neighborhood looking great. After installation, we restore yards and curbs to their original condition. Our crews work hard to ensure everything is neat and tidy before we finish.

Important Notes

No trenches will be dug for conduit—everything is directional boring.
You may see conduit temporarily exposed before vaults are placed.
Weather can affect timelines, but we work as quickly and carefully as possible.

Have Questions?

Call our Fiber Buildout Hotline at 731-903-7575 and leave a message—we’ll have someone reach out as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience as we invest in local connectivity!

Connecting Beyond: Breaking Ground

By Taylor Roberts , on 20 August 2025 16:07

Forked Deer Connect Breaks Ground on 100% Underground Fiber-to-the-Home Buildout in Halls, TN

Exciting progress is underway in Halls! In our last update, we shared the news that Forked Deer Connect would be expanding our 100% underground fiber internet and phone services into the community. Now, we’re proud to announce that construction has officially begun.

On Tuesday, August 15, 2025, our crews broke ground on the first phase of the project—laying the groundwork for our mainline fiber in Zones 1 and 2 (see Zoning Map below). This marks a major step forward in delivering the fast, reliable service we promised, built on an underground system designed for greater resilience and long-term reliability.

What’s Happening Now
As construction gets underway, you may begin to see both our Forked Deer Connect team and our trusted contractors—Vonolas, Connexon, and MR Utilities—working throughout town. These are some of the hardworking faces you’ll notice around Halls, and we’re thankful for their role in helping us bring this project to life.

As each zone is completed, we’ll share updates here on the blog and on our Facebook page. Residents will also be notified through postcards, phone calls, or personal visits so you’ll know exactly when service becomes available in your area.

Looking Ahead
For those in other zones, we’re eager to keep moving forward. Part of this process includes securing easements in some areas to ensure smooth construction. If you’re contacted about an easement, our team will be happy to answer your questions and guide you through the process.

Have Questions? Call Our Fiber Buildout Hotline
We know projects like this bring lots of questions, and we want to make sure you get the right answers. Call our Fiber Buildout Hotline at (731) 903-7575, leave a detailed message, and the right team member will call you back.

What’s Next
Construction will continue zone by zone, and we’ll share more details on packages, pricing, and installation in the months ahead. Our goal remains the same: to connect the first customers in Halls by fall 2025 and keep expanding into the future.

We’re grateful for the support of the Halls community as we take this exciting step. Big things are on the way—not only for Halls, but for Lauderdale and Dyer counties as we continue to connect beyond.

Forked Deer Connect Blog