[oceanplexian]

It's not "public ground". Electric companies and utilities acquire a mixture of easements, most of which are actually private, and listed on a property title.

[ardit33]

Almost all copper/fiber/etc pass through public roads at some point (or beneath them to be more exact), so yes they are using public grounds for their infrastructure.

Same with your gas/electric/water line

While "Wireless" provides are given PUBLIC spectrum to use for their business (they pay for it, but that's besides the point).

So yes, 99% of internet out there uses some public areas at some point.

[mandelbulb]

There is no point mentioning public ground in the analogy, better say, for access to public transit, which represents the internet.