Not even the popular online mapping services have current-enough-to-be-useful maps.

The claim is that it's proprietary. A) It wasn't before and B) No it isn't. Everything you've ever done is a FOIA request or 811 design ticket away.

I'm not sure how this helps the companies. It certainly makes it harder for me trying to piece networks together when they won't tell me where they are until I give them A and Z locations. If it's too hard for me to figure out where you are, you just plain won't get the sale.