Why We Use Temporary Drops for Winter Installation
Last Updated: February 26, 2026
We know the wait for fiber internet installation can be tough. After all, you’re on the verge of having super-fast, reliable fiber internet from Pulse and all the best streaming entertainment the web has to offer (not to mention crystal clear Voice service!).
Winter adds technical challenges to fiber installation. Frozen grounds, shorter days, and excessive moisture from melting snow drenching the soil can make it exceedingly difficult to bury and install fiber cables. It’s also a riskier time for our crew of technicians.
While permanent fiber installation may sometimes be delayed during winter and early spring, temporary drops can help deliver the high-speed internet you’ve been waiting for, even if you have to wait for better ground conditions for the final installation of buried fiber cables.
We want to explain our process of installing temporary drops so you’ll know what to expect, so here are answers to some common questions.
What exactly is a temporary drop?
A temporary drop, also referred to as a temp drop, is an above-ground fiber internet connection line that provides fiber internet service temporarily to your home or business until weather and ground conditions are feasible and safe enough to bury the fiber cable in the ground.
What kinds of conditions necessitate temp drops?
There are two common reasons why Pulse may not be able to bury the fiber and complete installation during the winter and early spring:
1. The ground is frozen.
Colder temperatures can make the ground too hard to dig and bury fiber. Even if temperatures warm up for a few days, it doesn’t necessarily mean conditions are improved enough to complete the installation. In general, the ground must be fully thawed at least one foot deep, which can take weeks of 60 degree-plus temperatures depending on the soil’s physical and chemical composition.
2. The ground is too wet.
The winter and spring can bring lots of precipitation, from heavy snows and snow melts to days of rain. When the soil is over-saturated, it is simply not feasible to install fiber cables below ground safely and effectively. Additionally, burying fiber when the ground is too wet can upset lawns, flowerbeds, trees, and other vegetation—not to mention upset your neighbors and their lawns, too!
What are the steps to installing a temporary drop?
After determining that the conditions do not support burying fiber, a temp drop is authorized. Our technicians will connect the Multi-Port Service Terminal (MST) (i.e., the “box” near the street where internet service is supplied) to your home or business via a fiber line placed above-ground.
So instead of burying the fiber in the ground, the temp drop keeps the cable above the ground and connected to your home or business temporarily until the buried installation can occur when the weather and other conditions improve.
The line may run along your lawn and driveway, but don’t worry! Your car cannot damage the cable. The fiber may also cross over your neighbor’s property, but as with other utilities, there is a “right-of-way” that permits this if necessary.
Is the temp drop safe?
Yes! While we don’t recommend you handle the cable, it is not dangerous. Fiber technology consists of tiny glass strings that transmit light. So unlike live electrical wires, there is no risk of electric shock.
However, we suggest that you do your best to avoid the line while tending to yard work or clearing snow. Although the fiber lines are sturdy, snowplows and other equipment can sometimes harm the line, necessitating more technical support—not to mention the inconvenience of losing internet!
When will you replace my temp drop?
When conditions permit, our team will return to your property to remove the temp drop and bury the permanent cables. Temp drops are replaced in the order that customers were installed; the temp drops that were placed first will be the first ones that get removed. You do not need to do anything to remind us of your temp drop, our crew keeps track and will be out to replace the temp drops as soon as they can.
We greatly appreciate your patience as we strive to provide you with fast, reliable fiber Internet, Voice, and TV as efficiently and quickly as possible! As always, feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.
