The City of Albuquerque said it is fining Comcast $500 a day for leaving exposed internet cables in Northeast Heights neighborhoods, calling the months-old hazards a safety risk.
City officials say Comcast left cable and phone lines exposed at eight sites across Albuquerque — dangling from trees, stretched across driveways and taped along sidewalks. Neighbors say the hazards have gone unaddressed for months, with no updates from the company. As more providers race to expand internet infrastructure, the situation highlights growing concerns over public safety, oversight, and accountability.
“The reason why this is important,” said Dan Mayfield, with the City of Albuquerque’s Department of Municipal Development. “By law, people who have Comcast phones need to have 911 access.”
City inspectors flagged the exposed wires in March and notified Comcast, but the work remained unfinished as of June 6, according to Mayfield. The city is now fining the company $500 per day for each violation.
Crews have added safety signs at the sites to warn the public about the incomplete work.
“What we can say is that we want them to fix it,” Mayfield said. “Our inspectors have been in touch with their construction team.”
He said residents first reported the issues, and the city encourages anyone who spots unsafe or incomplete cable work, whether it’s from Comcast or another provider, to call 311.
According to KRQE News 13, the city has received 947 calls to 311 about fiber construction since last year.
“We’re not telepathic,” Mayfield said. “We have everybody call 311 and if you see cabling, either from Comcast or from any of the broadband companies, that’s not done right, let us know, we can fine them.”
Comcast pays the city a yearly franchise fee for access to public rights-of-way, according to Mayfield. That deal lets the company skip standard construction permits and instead pull a simple barricade permit to close sidewalks or streets. In return for the fee, cable companies agree to follow city rules on construction, customer service, and safety. The access is non-exclusive and covers streets, sidewalks, and other public areas.
Asked whether subcontractors or Comcast employees were responsible for the incomplete work, Mayfield said that’s a question for the company, though “it’s generally a subcontractor, but not always.”
City Desk Abq reached out to Comcast. While the company declined an on-the-record interview, External Affairs Manager Kyle Biederwolf provided a statement.
“Comcast is working closely with the City to identify, investigate, and address all exposed temporary lines,” Biederwolf said. “It’s our priority to provide a permanent solution for these temporary lines as quickly and safely as we can.”
According to Xfinity’s website, technicians may install a temporary cable to keep service running until a permanent underground line is placed. That work typically takes up to 14 business days if there are no delays.
Mayfield said residents can also contact the Albuquerque Cable, Internet and Public, Educational and Governmental Advisory Board, which monitors complaints about internet providers and oversees the city’s cable franchise agreements.
Mayfield explained that the exposed lines pose safety risks because they carry more than just internet service. He noted that cable and phone lines are regulated differently since Comcast phone customers require reliable 911 access, making those lines essential.