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What does Broadband Internet bring to our communities?
The State of Maine defines Broadband as 100/100Mbps!
We have that with Fidium Fiber today! |
Why Fiber?
Why Starlink?
Starlink is for Underserved Areas - areas that have no fiber, cable or other reliable and "Hi-Speed" internet services. No circumstances (NONE) make Starlink a better choice when you have or can get Fiber. All the advantages for Fiber reference Starlink's limitations. Here are two sources and details.
Additionally, Starlink cannot meet the FCC's definition of Broadband (100/20Mbps). Fidium's minimum service level is 100/100Mbps up to 2Gigs symmetrical.
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
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 or Use VONAGE 1-844-412-9806 ($10/mo.) or other VOIPs!
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/
- Fiber is built on a pure Fiber Network using Laser technology to sending information at the virtual speed of light.
- Fiber is Faster (Speed), with a ping rate of ~6 milliseconds (ms) vs. ~50-100+ms.
- Fiber has Capacity (Mbps) generally provided to consumers at up to 1-2 Gigabits per second (1,000-2000Mbps) locally.
- Fiber provides Symmetrical (upload/download) capacity (i.e., 300/300Mbps).
- Fiber is more Reliable, unaffected by weather, trees, structures, electrical energy, etc.
- Fiber service is not shared, maintaining consistent service and No Throttling of data.
- Fiber is suitable for critical services/technologies that require Consistent and Uninterrupted Capabilities.
- Fiber is Less Expensive for monthly service.
- 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 (NONE) make Starlink a better choice when you have or can get Fiber. All the advantages for Fiber reference Starlink's limitations. Here are two sources and details.
Additionally, Starlink cannot meet the FCC's definition of Broadband (100/20Mbps). Fidium's minimum service level is 100/100Mbps up to 2Gigs symmetrical.
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
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 or Use VONAGE 1-844-412-9806 ($10/mo.) or other VOIPs!
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/