I've never done 1099 work so I'm not sure how to go about talking to companies I just watch the bar for work in Oregon. This was the first I've seen in awhile besides wise connect. I know who the primes are for century Link/level 3 and Comcast but they are all big dycom companies and they share work between eachother. I work for a company that subs for a prime and the work is super thin.
Now that's only with fiber splicing.. I can't afford to start up that kind of work but I can afford doing installs and save up.. again either work is thin or I don't know who is doing things contractor side.