WHEREAS land-based Telus telephone/data cable provides a vital communications link for residents in rural Alberta;AND WHEREAS through service upgrading and road construction temporary telephone/data cable left in the road ditch is a hazard to the public;AND WHEREAS the exposed telephone/data cable in the ditches can be damaged or severed resulting in disruption of vital communication services;AND WHEREAS disruption of vital communication services could result in disastrous consequences;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties request that Telus ensure that their temporary cable is marked clearly to prevent damage to the cable or injury to the public;AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that Telus ensure that their temporary cable is removed from the road ditches in a timely manner.

Numerous instances have occurred whereby a temporary cable has become severed or entangled in agricultural equipment, all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, highway maintenance equipment, livestock, etc. This has resulted in disruption of vital communications and inconvenience to subscribers of the cabled service.

The AAMDC has no resolutions currently in effect with respect to this issue.However, the AAMDC is currently in negotiations with Telus regarding an agreement for access to municipal rights of way.