When your internet works flawlessly, you probably don’t think much about it. And honestly? That’s kind of the point.
But behind every strong, steady connection is a team of people—climbing towers, splicing fiber, crawling through attics, navigating Oklahoma backroads, and fighting off the occasional swarm of angry wasps—all to make sure you stay online. These are our Internet Techs, and they’re the heartbeat of everything we do at Atlas Broadband.
Let’s pull back the curtain and take you through a day in their boots. Spoiler: it’s a little less “sitting at a desk drinking coffee” and a little more “fixing internet in 105-degree heat on the side of a hill.”
6:45 AM – 7:30 AM — Gear Up
Most days start early. Some, earlier than others, if any Outages happened during the night. Our techs load up trucks with everything they need: climbing harnesses, safety gear, diagnostic tools, GPS maps of installs, and a radio that definitely used to play music before it got stuck on one station. They double-check appointments, some even pack a cooler (Internet doesn’t wait for lunch), and head out to the day’s work orders.
9:00 AM — First Install
At the first stop, they might be setting up a brand-new fiber connection for a family that’s been stuck on satellite or DSL for years, or installing families with wireless. That can mean mean:
- Drilling in lines from the outside
- Mounting equipment
- Connecting the ONT (that’s the little box that brings fiber inside your home)
- Making sure every device in the house works before they leave
or
- Climbing Roofs to set up a radio antenna.
- Climbing through houses to set up wires.
- Programming Routers.
- Triple-checking that the setup is bouncing to one of our towers.
And yes, they’ll happily answer any questions—even if it’s “So what does this blinking light mean?” for the fifth time that morning.
10:30 AM — Emergency Call
Mid-morning? A call comes in: a storm knocked out signal at a tower site. Time to reroute.
Sometimes that means climbing a tower (after checking wind speeds and safety protocol), replacing damaged radios, or testing signal strength in the middle of a cow pasture. Literally.
1:00 PM — Quick Lunch (If They’re Lucky)
Lunch usually happens in the truck, parked under the one tree that has any shade. Sometimes it’s fast food, sometimes it’s a packed sandwich, and sometimes it’s “whatever didn’t melt.” Either way, it’s back to it—fiber won’t splice itself.
2:00 PM — Troubleshooting an Outage
Back on the road, a customer is having spotty service. Could be a bad cable. Could be a failed power supply. Could be squirrels (yes, really). The tech runs signal tests, traces the connection, and narrows it down like a broadband detective. Once fixed, they wait to confirm the customer’s Netflix boots up before leaving. Job’s not done ‘til it’s done.
4:30 PM — Final Checks and Cleanup
Last stops include follow-ups or new installs that need line burying. That might mean:
- Digging trenches to run underground cable
- Installing a pedestal or terminal box
- Labeling everything for future service
- Taking pictures for records and documentation
And then? Back to the office to file reports, update tickets, and prep for tomorrow.
6:00 PM — Done for the Day (Sort Of)
Some days go longer. Sometimes weather delays a tower climb. Sometimes a piece of equipment fails and has to be swapped out that night. Our techs are used to adapting. They do it because they care—not just about the work, but about the people on the other end of that blinking green light.
Why It Matters
When you see one of our trucks on the road, know this: they’re not just out fixing internet. They’re connecting students, powering small businesses, helping families stream their favorite shows, and making sure rural Oklahoma has the same speed and access as any big city.
It’s hard work. It’s hands-on. It’s often hot, cold, muddy, or windy.
And our techs do it every day with grit, heart, and a sense of humor.
So next time your internet works without a hitch?
Give a little mental high-five to the folks behind the scenes.
They make it look easy—but trust us, it’s anything but.
Want to meet our team in person or thank your local tech? Stop by during the day just to say hi — we have a box in the front of the office where you can leave your heartfelt thank yous to our technicians. —or just wave when you see the Atlas truck driving by. We see you. And we’re here to keep you connected. 💙