Why do the comcast contractor go behind my house to turn something off/on?

Question

i think it's a process between going behind my house to the Phone-pole box or w.e and putting a block on the cables at the phone pole

Answer 1

Usually to activate, deactivate, modify, repair, or to test the signals for correct levels.

Answer 2

If they're downgrading or upgrading your main line, then they'll go to the junction box at the back of the house (think octopus- it's the head and sends the feed to all the other jacks in the house) to measure the levels and make sure you're getting the channels you're supposed to.

If you're downgrading then they're checking to see if the frequency is low enough to show that the block is successful in killing off the other channels. If you're upgrading they're checking to make sure you have a wide open line for all the channels.