Remove Broadband and Phone Cable Buried in the Ground

[ptognarelli]

My house includes a disused box on the wall for two old broadband and phone connections.  Digging my garden revealed these extend to a green tube only buried a shallow depth into the ground.  Can I just remove all these myself?  

[goslow · Accepted solution]

VM will generally not remove them for you unless there is some sort of H&S risk involved.

It is not uncommon to find VM cables on one property may serve other properties elsewhere. You mention two connections. Is that two broadband cables and two phone cables or two cables for broadband and phone? How have you confirmed they are disused? Can you see the cables go no further than the outside box?

[ptognarelli]

Two cables run through the ground into the box and then two leave the box to a socket inside the house -- I assume one for the broadband and one for the phone line.  These both worked on first moving into the house but I can confirm them last used 14 years ago!

[goslow]

If they were your own cables to your own home, and they are no longer in use and you don't wish to keep them and they are not a H&S problem, then it's a DIY job if you want rid of them.

Last confirmed here, this week

https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/QuickStart-set-up-and/Old-Virgin-Media-box/m-p/5572391#M251750

but you should eventually get a reply from the VM forum team to confirm same, usually within a few days.

[Gareth_L]

Hello ptognarelli.

Looks like your question has been answered already, Thanks for asking though.

We would not remove then unless they are a trip hazard and would advise leaving as they are incase a property owner or tenant wishes to get our services in the future.

Gareth_L