SPRING 2026 – DIGITAL ONLY

In Volume 40-1 of American Locator Magazine, we present the next generation of utility training, on video, from Planet Underground TV. This revolutionary video series from Staking U and PUTV offers tracks for the beginner to expert utility professional. With this issue, we continue our series on Basic Utility Knowledge, presenting the fundamentals of gas, electric, water and telecom systems all industry pros–locators, contractors, engineers and others–need to ensure the most accurate and safe operations.

This issue presents Basic Utility Knowledge: Telephone

Follow along to text, graphics and screen captures direct from the training videos – plus bonus tips and topic highlights. Included are a full glossary of terms and sample test questions.

PLUS, a roundtable participant gives his takeaway from The Roundtable for Contractors held this March in Chicago, and NULCA declares its ready to act on reforming the 811 system now.

GUEST EDITORIAL
• Acknowledging a Flawed 811 System Has to Change

INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
• A Tragic Accident Sparks Action by NULCA

BASIC UTILITY KNOWLEDGE: TELEPHONE
• Switching Center
• Central Office
• Ducts
• Fiber Hut
• Fiber Splice
• Hardened Remote Terminal
• Controlled Environmental Vault
• Remote Terminal
• Fiber Cable
• The Bandwidth of Light
• Fiber
• Cell Tower
• Small Cell Sites
• Optical Line Terminal
• Full Fiber
• Fiber Distribution Hub
• Optical NetworkTerminal
• North American Color Code
• Aerial
• Crossbox
• Copper Splice
• Copper Demarcation

SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
GLOSSARY OF LOCATING TERMS