> Who do you think runs connectivity for your average electrical grid outside of the power cables themselves?
The grid run their own lines. Underground power cables are always accompanied by a pilot cable, which used to be 2x current loops plus a bunch of twisted pairs, now fiber optic. Underground power cables are almost always run in pairs (pairs of 3 phases) so between every significant substation there's always at least 2 dedicated communication lines.
You have said 'owned by the telcos' and this is very much not my experience. The grid comms network is owned and maintained by the grid.
The grid run their own lines. Underground power cables are always accompanied by a pilot cable, which used to be 2x current loops plus a bunch of twisted pairs, now fiber optic. Underground power cables are almost always run in pairs (pairs of 3 phases) so between every significant substation there's always at least 2 dedicated communication lines.
You have said 'owned by the telcos' and this is very much not my experience. The grid comms network is owned and maintained by the grid.