https://about.att.com/blogs/2023/call-before-you-dig.html
10 replies (most recent on top)
Wonder if this function will eventually come back inhouse. Back in the day we knew the contractors were billing for unnecessary locates but it was still cheaper than using our technicians due to volumes. Some had us over the barrel because there were no replacement companies in a lot of areas. This process could change this dynamic.
“Most of the ATT cable that gets hit is local, and is located by USIC contractors”
…….if you’re lucky. At least they’re nice and leave the bonds off for us.
doesnt really matter, the migrant cable diggers are going to cut it anyway.
Most of the ATT cable that gets hit is local, and is located by USIC contractors.
You go first!
They have to get the data correct first so that AI has something to learn from.
There will be cables damaged. That happens even after a cable is supposedly located by a real person. A certain number of mistakes are built into the metrics. I would bet they have numbers showing who, what, when, how many, etc on the current/old process. The process doesn’t have to be perfect. Just has to show a overall cost savings over the old process.
Yeah Al does a great job locating, not sure what we'll do when he retires, though..
Unless i read it wrong the AI will help cut down on unnecessary dispatches if we don't have cable in the area. Govt contracts still require a person to locate and perform the actual markings.
Now, this all hinges on current engineering to be 100% correct (try not to laugh too hard). I'm sure we'll regret it the first time we indicate something as "non-involved" and one of our cables gets hit.
Will be interesting to see what the actual outcome is.
Hopefully, someone is tracking the potential cuts (copper/fiber) as a result of this automation.