Why Fiber? 

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 ~6 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) locally. 
4. Fiber provides Symmetrical (upload/download) capacity (i.e., 300/300Mbps). 
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 Future Proof.  

Why Starlink? 
Starlink is for Underserved Areas - areas that have no fiber, cable or other reliable and "Hi-Speed" internet services. No circumstances make Starlink a better choice when you have or can get Fiber - none. All the advantages for Fiber reference Starlink's limitations. Here are two sources and details.
1. https://www.tachus.com/post/starlink-vs-fiber
2. https://www.quora.com/Is-Starlink-better-than-fiber

​​Why Spectrum? 
​Spectrum is available to limited customers, some paying thousands of dollars to install the service to their locations. Fiber is available to everyone and anyone in our area, with a symmetrical capacity, greater reliability and no installation charge. All are not available or possible from Spectrum.
All the Fiber advantages apply with no additional charges (i.e. $5 WIFI Modem) and Spectrum use of fiber in its Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC) does not go to the premise.  There is no contest… Fiber wins out!
​Same comments as above & two articles on the subject. 
1. https://www.cvalley.net/fiber-optic-cable-vs-coaxial-cable-which-is-better/
2. https://www.fusionconnect.com/blog/fiber-vs-cable-internet-a-guide-to-the-differences-in-speed-cost-more

Compare CCI Services
​DSL & Landline - DSL Internet:  $35-55+ (~5Mbps/1Mbps)
                                   Phone:  $55 = TOTAL $90-$110 
Vs.
Fidium Fiber​ -    Fiber Internet:  $25 1st yr, $45 2nd (100Mbps/100Mbps)
                                Phone (VOIP):  $15 = TOTAL $40-$60
​Note: Voyage is even cheaper- $10 for current service.

Have Fidium Fiber Questions? See www.fidiumfiber.com​ and right here.

NEW FIDIUM PRICING (per mo) Please see www.fidiumfiber.com for current pricing!
          Mbps         1st   2nd+ 
       100/100:       $25   $45
       300/300:       $35   $55      
     1,000/1,000:   $55   $75 (has changed for new subscribers)
       2,000/2000:    $75   $95  (has changed for new subscribers)
  - $5 discount to costs for Paperless/Auto Billing
  - FREE install, no contract & symmetrical service (download/upload the same). 
  - Only install cost is for conduit installs over 500ft.  
  - Fidium VOIP for $15 & keep existing number. Use VONAGE 1-844-412-9806 other VOIPs as well - sometimes cheaper pricing!
​
​General Q&A follows with others addressed at www.fidiumfiber.com. Key information is that:
​     1. The Network is ready including some locations in Orland and in Surry where there is even some overlap where Premium Choice (PC) Fiber has been installed. There you have two fiber providers but there is a HUGE cost & performance improvement over PC. 
Sign up at www.fidiumfiber.com or 1.844.4.FIDIUM
     2. Streamed traditional television services are rapidly replacing traditional "Cable TV" service - even from Satellites. If you have Fiber and still use Satellite for TV, note that DirecTV states satellites are, "Best for Residences in Rural Areas with no Access to high-speed Internet Services."
     3. Streaming services that offer local stations include Hulu+Live TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Streaming, with Fubo TV and others catching up. You can pick what fits your needs. See Basics for more.
     4. Keep your phone number, shifting your home number to your cell. Some providers charge a small fee!. Contact your provider for details and cost. VOIP providers coordinate the transfer to minimize impact, generally at no cost!  BUT we recommend you DO NOT switch to VOIP until you have your new Fiber Internet up & and running or the installation will not need to use conduit! Installations using conduit in the winter could run into installation issues.

The Hype on Cellular Services
Here is some information relative to Cellular service and issues you may be experiencing.
     1. If you have spotty Cell service where you live and have Fiber to the Premise/Home, Use WIFI Calling - Problem Solved! 
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203032   
     2. Cell tower location still matters with poor coverage, even where your provider may have a tower. The closest ATT transmitter towers serving commercial cellular here are in Belfast and Stonington. There is no ATT commercial service on Blue Hill Mountain, nor is there Verizon. Sharing is limited if at all. ATT is on Blue Hill Mtn. and elsewhere as FirstNet, a service for first responders.
         a. “FirstNet is not a commercial network – it was designed and built “from the ground up” specifically for first responders and the extended public safety community: Groundbreaking technology delivering priority and preemption.”
     3. Despite the perceived availability and performance of 5G technology in cellular networks, the fallacy is that no one cellular carrier can service every cell phone or at the same capacity (speed). Lots of factors matter in over-the-air systems (cellular (incl. hotspots) and satellite) which includes distance, terrain, obstructions, ground matter (i.e., granite), solar, EMP, and the 5G hype - all matters. Service will vary, and in some places, it will not exist at all. Bottom line is that 5G is not everywhere, not all the same frequency, and it’s not all the hype says it is.
          a. There are in fact three (3) different 5G services. The lowest capacity/frequency is what you’re seeing now, and it is realistically no better that 4G LTE at this point. The perception of 5G sells phones, but it is not a solution for home needs, speed/capacity, and cost. The highest frequency 5G (and capacity) only travels ~1000 ft. Transmitters will be required on every utility pole (or on the ground) and that is a long way off in rural America. For more specifics, it’s out there. Here is one link - https://www.cablefree.net/wirelesstechnology/4glte/5g-frequency-bands-lte/

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General Q&A
How do I connect to a ZOOM call if the screen says my browser can't open the page? 
Use Fidium's Attune App and select the wheel to the right of the "GUARD" Menu. Deselect "Adblocking," save the settings and try again, waits needed for the settings to take effect. If on a Cell Phone and on WIFI at home, you can turn off WIFI and it'll work. When connected to the ZOOM page check the box that first appears in the pop-up to prevent the related reminder. Remember to turn all back ON when done for enhanced protections.
WHY WOULD I CHANGE FROM SPECTRUM (CATV)? – I THINK IT’S GOOD ENOUGH. 
CATV's COPPER BASED SERVICE HAS MAINTAINABILITY ISSUES AND TECHNOLOGY GROWTH LIMITATIONS CHALLENGED BY THE DEFINITION OF BROADBAND AND THE NEEDS OF USERS. SPECTRUM IS NOT UPGRADING THEIR COAXIAL SERVICE TO FIBER. ​
I DON’T USE THE INTERNET AT HOME – I JUST WATCH TV AND USE THE PHONE… 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. 
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? 
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.
WHAT HAPPENS 10-20 YEARS FROM NOW? ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS AGAIN? 
FIBER IS CONSIDERED FUTURE PROOF. IT’S PRIMARILY THE LASER’S CAPABILITIES (WHAT SENDS THE INFORMATION OVER THE FIBER) THAT DETERMINES THE PERFORMANCE LIMITATIONS. WE DEAL WITH “MEGABITS” TODAY (AND GIGABITS WITH FIBER). AFTER THAT IT'S TERABITS AND BEYOND. FIBER CAN DO THAT AND LASER IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS WELL. ​ ​
I JUST GOT STARLINK – WHY WOULD I CHANGE? 
STARLINK WAS BUILT FOR THOSE PLACES HARD TO REACH VIA WIRED SERVICE OR THOSE AREAS WHERE INTERNET CAPACITIES ARE POOR BECAUSE OF EXISTING SERVICE – LIKE DSL. IT IS NOT TARGETED FOR CABLE TV USERS AND DEFINITELY NOT FIBER USERS. Elon would think you're crazy to keep Starlink!
WHY DO I NEED SYMMETRICAL - OR WHY DOES ANYONE? 
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 (including all undersea cables). Wireless will never replace fiber, though it may be more cost effective in remote areas, though still fed by fiber.