Steve Barker wrote:

If the problem is on THEIR side of the user friendly box, then it's THEIR
problem. Just call and say the phone is not working, and it's dead at the
test port also.

It may be on their side of the demarc, but it was damage from illegal
digging (law says call the call before you dig number first), so they'd
be within their rights to charge to repair the damage. If say a big mole
had eaten the cable, no charge.