(08-22) 13:04 PDT PHILADELPHIA (AP) --
The road to advanced video, Internet and phone services is bumpy, and the bumps can be almost as big as refrigerators.
As cable and phone companies race to upgrade services or offer video for th= e first time, they're doing it by installing equipment in boxes on lawns, easements and curbs all over American neighborhoods. Telecommunications rollouts have always been messy, but several towns and residents are fighting back with cries of "Not in my front yard!"
AT&T Inc.'s nearly fridge-sized units, which route its new U-verse video product to customers, are drawing particular ire. A few caught fire or even exploded. AT&T said it has fixed that by replacing the units' backup batteries.
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