A fiber-to-the-home network involves the communications signal being delivered over fiber optic cable to the home or business. Fiber is the fastest known technology, transmitting information at the speed of light and using one of the world’s most stable materials – glass. This technology is the most reliable method to provide vastly higher bandwidth to [...]
No, this is a myth. It is too expensive for the business model of private providers – particularly those who are publicly-traded companies – who have to show profitability in a very short period. And that’s why we don’t have ubiquitous high-speed internet access now: we’ve left it to the private market. Think back to [...]
There is a small device, similar in size to a DSL or cable modem mounted on the inside of the house called an optical network terminal (ONT). Cable will enter the house usually at the same location where your current telephone cable is found. There may be a small box on the outside of the [...]
Yes, and at very high quality.
Yes, you can use your existing telephone number.
Service can go out if power is lost. However the on-premise equipment has a built-in battery backup that will last many hours. You may supplement this with your own UPS or generator. The ONT uses very little electricity, so it should be possible to keep it running a long time with backup power. It's also [...]
Yes, cell extenders work very reliably over fiber optic. Extenders may allow you to be a “cord cutter” and save money by disconnecting your copper or digital “landline.”
No special phones are required. You can use your existing phones using existing internal twisted-pair copper wiring. The optical network terminal (ONT) will convert the digital signal to the traditional analog phone signal through a plug in the side of the ONT. Just disconnect the phone wire that connects to your external wiring and connect [...]
You need fiber if you want high speed internet now or want to be able to increase your speed later as your needs increase. Most DSL speeds in Western Massachusetts are less than 3 Mbps. A small number of residents in town have 6 Mbps service. WiredWest fiber optic speed is at least 25 Mbps [...]
First, cellular service is not accessible from many locations in many of our towns. Additional cellular towers would be required. Second, cell service is extremely expensive when used as your primary internet connection. A gigabyte (GB) of data averages between $5 and $15 depending on your cell plan. In 2014, the average internet user with [...]