Dig Once Policies: What You Need to Know & How It Benefits Fiber Optic

Jun 17, 2026

In an increasingly digital world, it only makes sense that the demand for high-speed internet is growing too. But what does it take to install the infrastructure fiber optic? The short answer: a lot. If you’ve read our blog about fiber optic installation, you’re familiar with just how much of a headache it can be for crews. Even worse, that doesn’t even include the work it takes to get telecommunications infrastructure to the “last mile.”

According to Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, digging up roads and repairs accounts for 75-90% of the cost of laying fiber-optic cables. In case the math isn’t clear, that means most of the costs to install telecommunications infrastructure aren’t even actual fiber optic cable costs. Between the growing demand for high-speed internet and the excessive costs to install it, there is a growing interest in “Dig Once” policies.

What Does That Mean?

Dig Once policies require that when the government or contractors are digging up roads in areas that don’t already have fiber nearby, empty conduit is also laid for future fiber optic. This means that down the line, contractors just have run the fiber optic wires through the conduit, without having to re-tear up and repair the roads. Dig Once policies can also vary depending on their focus. The National League of Cities explains that some policies just focus on installing telecommunications infrastructure, while other policies focus on simultaneous investment (like installing conduit while updating roads and sewers).

Dig Once policies aren’t a new concept, in fact according to the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, the federal government already has a policy in place, but it doesn’t require the installation of conduit. At the moment, there are six states that have policies requiring conduit installation at least some of the time. These states include California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Utah, and Washington, but that only accounts for 13% of land in the United States.

Why Support Dig Once Policies?

The biggest argument for Dig Once policies is the fact that they benefit communities. Let’s be honest, no one gets excited when they see that a road is closed for repairs. Installing infrastructure can take months (if not years) at a time, so why make communities go through that wait twice? Some sources, like the National League of Cities, also site sustainability as an argument in favor of Dig Once policies. As climates change and cities are further impacted by flooding, fires, and storms, cities will have to invest in resilient infrastructure anyways. So, it only makes sense for local governments to coordinate across departments and install conduit to decrease disruptions and decrease costs.

Speaking of costs, let’s be honest, money is a pretty big motivator for change. According to the same Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator article, in 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was put in place, providing $110 billion for road repairs and job creation. Congress allocated another $42 billion for broadband infrastructure in 2021 as well. This is on top of the $200 billion that state and local governments spend on infrastructure repairs per year. So, by implementing strong Dig Once policies, state governments can stretch this money further and save money down the line.

Even though Dig Once policies can seem like a loss for contractors, they actually make their lives a lot easier. Instead of looking at these policies as a loss of repeat jobs for contractors, they should be looked at as an investment in contractors’ communities. By reducing the need for repeated road closures and large-scale excavation, contractors can spend less time redoing work and more time focusing on the areas where their expertise is needed most.