OPINION: Call before you dig: A safety standard that benefits all New Mexicans

Aug. 11 — also known as 8/11 Day — is a national reminder of something simple but powerful: Calling 811 before you dig can prevent injury, protect critical infrastructure, and save lives.

Whether you’re planting a tree, putting up a fence, or launching a major construction project, contacting 811 ensures that underground utility lines are marked before digging begins. It’s a crucial first step for homeowners and professionals alike — and one that helps keep New Mexico safe.

At Ezee Fiber, we’re proud to bring world-class, high-speed internet to Albuquerque and beyond. But we know that building successful broadband infrastructure doesn’t happen in isolation. It depends on careful coordination, trusted local partners and deep respect for what lies beneath the surface. Success also requires close collaboration with local and state government agencies that regulate utility work and enforce safety standards, as well as public awareness efforts that help everyday New Mexicans understand their role in safe digging practices. We also value the role that homeowners’ associations and neighborhood groups play in informing residents about upcoming construction and reinforcing the importance of 811. It takes all of us — builders, regulators and community leaders — to keep our infrastructure safe and our progress moving forward.

We work in close partnership with NM811 and the Public Regulation Commission, requesting hundreds of line locates each week before beginning any work. We only dig once the utility lines have been marked and cleared by professional locators. And we coordinate closely with local contractors, inspectors and engineers who bring expertise and accountability to every job site.

At Ezee Fiber, we support and rely on this safety system every day. And when issues do occur, we work quickly and transparently to address them in partnership with the appropriate agencies and community stakeholders.

Laura Harrison, CEO of NM811, recently remarked that “at NM811, we applaud Ezee Fiber’s leadership in excavation safety and collaboration — and we echo their call for every New Mexican to make that free 811 request before digging. Together, we are building a culture of prevention that protects lives, infrastructure, and progress across our state. It’s easy, It’s free, and it’s the law.”

This fall, as projects ramp up across New Mexico, we encourage everyone — contractors, homeowners, landscapers — to make 811 part of your planning process. One free call or online request before digging can prevent costly, dangerous and disruptive mistakes.

Ezee Fiber is proud to be part of New Mexico’s infrastructure future. We’re not just laying fiber — we’re building a digital infrastructure that supports education, health care, remote work and economic growth. And we’re doing it with local partners, proven safety protocols and a shared commitment to protecting the communities we serve.

So this 8/11 Day, help us spread the word: Call before you dig. It’s quick, easy and essential.

Carlos Rosas is a senior vice president and general manager of Ezee Fiber’s New Mexico operations.