Damaged Utility Boxes – Reporting and Repair Information

A resident recently reported a damaged telephone utility box on their property and was able to have it repaired by AT&T after submitting a complaint through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

There are several similar utility boxes throughout the neighborhood that appear to be in poor condition, including boxes that are leaning, damaged, or have been temporarily secured with tape or wire. In addition to being unsightly, damaged or open boxes may present a safety concern, particularly for children.

If you have a damaged telephone utility box on or near your property, you can request that the responsible utility company repair or remove it. The taller, narrow telephone utility boxes typically have a sticker identifying the utility company, which is useful information when submitting a complaint.

How to Report a Problem

1. Check the utility box for identifying information. Look for a sticker or other information identifying the utility company. Many of the boxes in our neighborhood appear to be AT&T.
2. Contact the utility company first and report the condition and location of the box. If you are able to make contact, allow up to 10 business days for a response.
3. If the issue is not addressed, you can file a complaint with the FCC.
   • Visit FCC.gov
   • Select For Consumers
   • Select Consumer Complaint Center
   • Under File a Complaint, select Phone Issues
   • Select Start Your Complaint with the FCC
4. In the complaint, describe the condition of the utility box, provide its location, and request that it be repaired or removed.
5. If you are not an AT&T customer, indicate that in the description. The FCC form requires a telephone number in the “Telephone Number Subject of Complaint” field; if appropriate, you can provide your personal telephone number and explain the situation in the complaint description.
6. Photos can be included with the complaint. If submitting the complaint from a mobile phone, use the “Add” option to take and attach photos directly.

One resident reported that their FCC complaint was submitted on a Monday morning, they received a response that evening, and the utility box was repaired by Thursday morning.

Residents who encounter damaged utility boxes are encouraged to report them individually, as individual reports can help identify specific locations requiring attention.