Why should you switch from Spectrum to Fidium?
​Fidium Fiber is for everyone and anyone that wants it, with symmetrical capacity (upload/download Mbps the same), greater reliability and no connection charges (i.e. the  long driveways over 125 ft).
PLUS ​Qualified ACP subscribers get fiber internet for FREE.

DSL Internet & Landline Phone Costs vs. Fiber
Consolidated Communications (CCI)
1. DSL Internet - $35+ (~5Mbps/1Mbps)
2. Phone - $55
            TOTAL - $90 
Compare
Fidium Fiber​ (free installation) 
1. Fiber Internet - $30 first year (50Mbps/50Mbps) with options as well
2. Phone (VOIP) - $15
           TOTAL - $65 
see additional benefits below

Spectrum (coaxial cable) vs. Fiber
Coaxial cable can NOT provide Symmetrical service (same upload/download) Only Fiber can do that.
1. All the Fiber advantages apply with no additional charges (i.e. $5 WIFI Modem). All is included and capacity/speed does not vary.
2. Spectrum uses fiber in its networks as Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC), but it does NOT go to the Premise where Coaxial Cable is used.
​There is no contest… Fiber wins out! Same comments as above & two articles on the subject. 
https://www.cvalley.net/fiber-optic-cable-vs-coaxial-cable-which-is-better/
https://www.fusionconnect.com/blog/fiber-vs-cable-internet-a-guide-to-the-differences-in-speed-cost-more
Notes: 
1. Starlink relies on Fiber communications to and from ground facilities for the control of satellites in Low Earth Orbit and provide consumer internet information.
2. Cell/Smart Phones services transmit between towers (no matter the distance) using fiber for calls and internet access. 

Fiber based Internet vs. Starlink?
Few circumstances make Starlink a better choice than Fiber (i.e., Fidium locally). Only one - a house on Long Island.
The Basics: 

1. Fiber is built on a pure Fiber Network using Laser technology to sending information at the virtual speed of light.
2. Fiber is Faster (Speed), with a ping rate of <20 milliseconds (ms) vs. ~50-100+ms.
3. Fiber has Capacity (Mbps) generally provided to consumers at up to 1-2 Gigabits per second (1,000-2000Mbps), or even more. 
4. Fiber provides Symmetrical (upload/download) capacity (i.e., 250/250Mbps). 
5. Fiber is more Reliable, unaffected by weather, trees, structures, electrical energy, etc.
6. Fiber service is not shared, maintaining consistent service and No Throttling of data. 
7. Fiber is suitable for critical services/technologies that require Consistent and Uninterrupted Capabilities. 
8. Fiber is Less Expensive for monthly service.
9. Simply put, Fiber is also Future Proof.  
10. Don’t believe it? Here are just two sources and the details.
    https://www.tachus.com/post/starlink-vs-fiber
    https://www.quora.com/Is-Starlink-better-than-fiber

Have Fidium Fiber Questions? 
​Many questions are answered at this link - www.fidiumfiber.com - (see bottom of page).
​1. When do they start or finish? Answer: The Network Build is complete.
​2. Will I have to pay anything especially if I have underground services? Answer: NO!
     If you have current Power/Communication lines (i.e. electricity/phone, cable) - you will be connected without cost - including long driveways. Fidium is connecting anyone signing up for service as long as they have current phone or existing phone lines (pole or conduit-to-the-house connections). For very rare homes with no phone line there may be a reasonable charge but Fidium engineering - when ready - will make that assessment. Existing phone lines will remain in place unless you chose to upgrade (no cost) to VOIP.
3. When can we sign up? Answer: NOW at www.fidiumfiber.com.  
4. What does it cost? Answer: See www.fidiumfiber.com 
     a. All with FREE installation, no contract and symmetrical service (Download & Upload the same)
     b. Available $5 Discount to the costs below for Paperless & Auto Billing
Current:
2,000 Mbps:  $85/mo for 1-yr   $95/mo after - 1 & 2 Gig symmetrical is the same cost after the first year!)
1,000 Mbps:  $70/mo for 1-yr   $95/mo after
   250 Mbps:  $60/mo for 1-yr   $85/mo after     
     50 Mbps:  $35/mo for 1-yr   $55/mo after
+ Add VOIP Phone for $15 and keep your existing number.
​5. I want my Cable TV... Answer: You can have it.
Things are changing and Streaming is replacing the traditional "Cable TV" service - even Satellite TV. For streaming service that offers local stations there is Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Streaming. Fubo TV and others provide services without local stations. You can pick what fits your needs. See www.fidiumfiber.com for their partners that do not include all of the options. See Basics for more.
6. I have questions about changing to VOIP when we get fiber... and keeping my Phone Number. Answer: You can keep your phone number.
You can shift your home number to your cell - some providers charge a small fee! Contact your provider for details and the cost . ​The VOIP provider you choose will do all the coordination for you to minimize impact and at no cost!

General Q&A

WHAT IS BROADBAND?
ANSWER: BROADBAND IS A CAPACITY/SPEED STANDARD THAT IS ESTABLISHED FOR THE INTERNET. THE FCC ESTABLISHES THAT BASELINE AND STATES MAY SET THEIR OWN. IN MAINE BROADBAND IS 100MBPS DOWNLOAD AND 100MBPS UPLOAD – SYMMETRICAL SERVICE. THE FCC BROADBAND STANDARD IS CURRENTLY 25/3 THOUGH THERE IS AN EFFORT BY SOME MEMBERS OF CONGRESS - LED BY SENATOR ANGUS KING (IN PART) - TO GET THE FCC INCREASE IT 100/100. ​

WHY WOULD I CHANGE FROM SPECTRUM (CATV)? – I THINK IT’S GOOD ENOUGH. 
ANSWER: IT MAY BE GOOD ENOUGH TODAY BUT TOMORROW? SPECTRUM CATV, WHICH IS BASED ON COPPER TECHNOLOGIES, HAS MAINTAINABILITY ISSUES AND TECHNOLOGY GROWTH LIMITATIONS THAT IS CHALLENGED BY THE CHANGING DEFINITION OF BROADBAND AND THE NEEDS OF USERS FOR INCREASING DOWNLOAD AND UPLOAD SPEED/CAPACITY.  THEY ARE NOT UPGRADING COAXIAL (HFC) TO FIBER. ​
​
I DON’T USE THE INTERNET AT HOME – I JUST WATCH TV AND USE THE PHONE…
ANSWER: AS AN EXAMPLE – SPECTRUM TV COMES TO YOU OVER THE INTERNET – YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT. IN THE NEAR FUTURE PHONE COMPANIES (INCLUDING CCI) WILL BE MAKING A PUSH TO GET RID OF COPPER TECHNOLOGIES AND GO TO FIBER, AND VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL (VOIP) WILL BECOME THE NORM. WHAT YOU USE TODAY WILL NOT BE WHAT YOU OR THOSE THAT MAY OWN YOUR HOME IN THE FUTURE WILL NEED OR USE.  ​

​WHAT’S BETTER ABOUT FIBER? WE’VE HAD COPPER FOR A LONG TIME. 
​ANSWER: EXACTLY – COPPER HAS BEEN AROUND A VERY LONG TIME, AND IT IS A MEDIUM THAT IS PRONE TO VARIATIONS IN MANUFACTURING AND DEGRADATION ISSUES THAT AFFECTS PERFORMANCE. THOSE VARIATIONS COME FROM MANUFACTURING, CORROSION, AS WELL AS EXTERNAL DAMAGE. FIBER IS GLASS AND IS PURE. IT RELIES ON LIGHT AND THE LASER’S CAPABILITIES DETERMINE THE PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS, NOT NECESSARILY THE FIBER. ​

WILL MY FIBER SERVICE BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN WHAT I HAVE NOW?
ANSWER: NO – BUT IT’S ALL RELATIVE. FIBER IS MORE COST EFFECTIVE OVERALL BECAUSE THE COST PER MEGA BIT IS LESS. THE BASE LEVEL OF SERVICE WILL ALSO BE BETTER THAN WHAT YOU HAVE TODAY WITH DSL, SATELLITE, OR CATV. WILL YOU PAY MORE? YOUR CHOSEN LEVEL OF SERVICE WILL DEFINE THAT ANSWER AND COST WILL BE A FACTOR THE DECISION PROCESS – ONE OF MANY. WE WANT THE COSTS TO BE AFFORDABLE, CAPABLE AND WITH NO DATA CAPS EITHER! ​

WHAT HAPPENS 10-20 YEARS FROM NOW? ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN?
ANSWER: NO. FIBER IS CONSIDERED FUTURE PROOF. IT’S PRIMARILY THE LASER’S CAPABILITIES (WHAT SENDS THE INFORMATION OVER THE FIBER) THAT DETERMINES THE PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS. BUT YES- IMPROVEMENTS IN FIBER TECHNOLOGIES MAY SURPASS WHAT WE INSTALL BUT NOT TO THE POINT WHAT WE HAVE IS OBSOLETE. 
​WE DEAL WITH “MEGABITS” TODAY - TOMORROW IT’LL BE GIGABITS. AFTER THAT TERABITS AND BEYOND. FIBER CAN DO THAT AND LASER IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS WELL. ​

I’M ONLY HERE PART OF THE YEAR AND DON’T NEED IT ALL THE TIME...
​ANSWER: FOR THOSE THAT USE SECURITY SYSTEMS, HAVE RENTERS, OR THAT DON’T WANT THE HASSLE OF STARTING OR STOPPING SERVICE THIS MAY NOT BE A PROBLEM. WE KNOW THAT SOME ISPS DO NOT PROVIDE SEASONAL SERVICE PACKAGES AND WHO WE CHOOSE MAY NOT EITHER BUT THAT IS AN UNKNOWN AT THIS POINT – PLAN ON WORST CASE. YOU HAVE A FUTURE PROOF INTERNET CONNECTION THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO MONITOR YOUR VALUABLE SEASONAL HOME MORE ECONOMICALLY YOURSELF.  ​

I JUST GOT STARLINK – WHY WOULD I CHANGE? 
​CONGRATS – IF YOU’RE SWITCHING FROM DSL (AS AN EXAMPLE) TO STARLINK YOU’VE TAKEN A BIG LEAP. BUT STARLINK WAS BUILT FOR THOSE PLACES HARD TO REACH VIA WIRED SERVICE OR FOR THOSE AREAS WHERE INTERNET CAPACITIES ARE POOR BECAUSE OF EXISTING SERVICE – LIKE DSL. IT IS NOT TARGETED FOR CABLE TV USERS OR MOST DEFINITELY FIBER USERS. Elon would think you're crazy!
1. STARLINK IS AFFECTED BY THE ENVIRONMENT AS A WIRELESS SERVICE AND RELIES ON SPACE-BASED EQUIPMENT WITH LATENCY ISSUES FIBER DOES NOT HAVE.
2. SOME WEATHER SITUATIONS WILL DEGRADE IT – SO WILL TREES AND OTHER OBSTACLES, SO IT IS NOT AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, NOR WAS IT PLANNED TO BE.
3. THE COST FOR FIBER WILL BE WELL LESS PER SYMMETRICAL MEGABIT THAN STARLINK WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND STARLINK IS NOT SYMMETRICAL.

WHY DO I NEED SYMMETRICAL - OR WHY DOES ANYONE?
Answer - one of them...: Symmetrical allows someone or some thing sending information to have the information transmitted on an equal basis with the entity sending the information in other direction. Every transmission is treated equally. One Example: a Doctor operating takes an action and see's the action visually even though it might have physically occurred thousands of miles away. Timing counts - think of a hearing test over the internet. Another example: You are communicating with another - be it verbally or a game and your action requires a counter action as if you were in the same room. 100/10 means your block happens but it is never in time - always late. 100/100 you are in synch and see and respond at the same time.

WILL WIRELESS REPLACE FIBER?
​Every internet/cellular/streaming (i.e. TV) service uses fiber and wireless will never replace fiber - though it may be more cost effective to build wireless services that are fed by fiber technologies. Call someone 3,000 miles away on your cell phone (as an example) - it goes to the nearest tower that serves your phone provider (roaming or otherwise). It then goes via fiber to the tower nearest the person you are calling - via fiber - and then to their phone. ALL undersea cables are fiber and all satellite services use fiber to get information to the ground station that sends and receives information from satellites and which then transmits it to the appropriate station, that then transmits that information to a satellite, that then serves the intended receiver of the information. Speed of light (enabler) and line of sight (LoS) (restrictor).