How did we get here? Listen to: Maine Broadband Coalition Initiatives Across Maine
Did you know that in Maine, effective January 1, 2008, a retailer shall accept, at no charge, used cellular telephones from any person. A retailer required to accept used cellular telephones under this subsection shall post, in a prominent location open to public view, a notice printed in boldface type and containing the following language: "We accept used cellular telephones at no charge." Effective January 1, 2008, a person may not dispose of a cellular telephone in solid waste for disposal in a solid waste disposal facility. https://legislature.maine.gov/statutes/38/title38sec2143.html
What's Happening - Fidium Fiber Update & More
Fiber is available to everyone...
Every home and small business, from Castine & Surry, to Deer Isle & Stonington - with locations in Orland as well can get Fidium. Most with no installation costs and some may qualify for monthly service at little to no cost with the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP).
DirectTV, Starlink, Hughesnet, Spectrum, DSL, Hotspots of any kind, Cell Phones, etc. are no match for Fidium Fiber's Cost, Reliability and Performance!
See www.fidiumfiber.com.
Note: some multi-unit locations may need coordinated installations and some that need special services like long conduit runs may experience delays now due to access to specialized crews and upcoming winter weather.
Do you have a home business and have a CCI Business Account?
1. Change to a Home Account!
2. Then sign up for Fidium@Home!
The savings between a Fidium@Home and Fidium@Work or CCI Fiber Connect accounts is far more than you can write off on taxes - if that was the reason for the business account.
Are you a HOME user of Consolidated Business Fiber Customer? Consolidated’s official policy is to waive the early termination fee for any Consolidated Business Fiber customer who is converting to the Fidium Residential Internet service. The early termination fee will be waived.
SPEED/CAPACITY Tests are not EQUAL!
1. Testing capacity/speed directly to a Modem/ONT provides the only accurate reading of what's coming to the Premise.
a. Make sure you are testing the right service (i.e., if your old system is still connected, unplug it before you test!).
b. Testing capacity/speed via WIFI is affected by distance and signal drop. Performance drop occurs for Fiber, DSL, Satellite, cellular, etc. and always has been that way!
2. Testing of Speed/Capacity will vary due to distance, objects impacting the signal and even your own device(s). The WIFI systems in a computing device WILL impact the capacity tests! Don't blame it on the Internet Service Provider.
3. Fidium's Attune Application on your smartphone tests both WIFI & ONT capacity/speed from your smartphone!
SUPPORTING DIGITAL EQUITY (DE)
Supporting the development or employment of better Internet in a community goes hand in hand with Digital Equity (DE) and is one of its key elements. The Blue Hill Peninsula area group referenced as The PUB has a new domain name - www.pubfiber.org. Our Mission Statement (since forming in 2018) states: “The Peninsula Utility for Broadband (PUB) advocates for fast, flexible, affordable and reliable internet to incentivize business, support schools, advance the quality of healthcare, connect homes and facilitate long term education and socialization of our rural communities.”
Fidium Fiber became a reality for everyone who wants it in our area in March 2023, and our efforts will continue to ensure everyone knows just that, and why getting fiber makes sense over any other Internet service medium (Cable, Satellite, DSL, Hotspot…). Because of the Fidium Fiber price structure, it’s also critically important to improve the awareness and use of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), raise the awareness of technology (i.e., Internet use and tools) through training opportunities, and the general benefits that access to the Internet brings for Education, Health Care, Connectivity with others and the other valuable benefits (i.e., Streaming and Phone) which are money saving and effective tools for everyone with good Internet access. Fiber is the gold standard and is used by every service – from satellites to cell phones. Fidium Fiber is the provider that brings it to your house! Not sure if you want to use it, you can try it for a month for free. For those that qualify, use your ACP benefit with any participating provider (your choice).
Do you have Fidium Fiber to your home? Do it! Can’t afford the monthly access, or is there some other reason? Fiber based Internet access is symmetrical, futureproof, and available with no installation cost, and for those qualified, you can afford the monthly access because it’s also free! Consider that if someone is on SNAP, Medicaid, or other benefit program - you can be qualified for the program.
Example: If you are a family of dour making under $60,000 you can qualify for up to a $30/month discount. No Internet Service Provider (ISP) can prequalify you. It is your family, not your address that gets qualified.
ACP - Based on Your Income
You're eligible for ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Table below reflects the income limit by household size for Maine and the 48 Contiguous States.
Household Size Maine
1 $29,160
2 $39,440
3 $49,720
4 $60,000
5 $70,280
6 $80,560
7 $90,840
8 $101,120
Each addtl person, add: $10,280
Moving forward in Maine, we know that reaching out to food pantries, churches, and schools is vital in presenting a common well thought out voice, using tools such as those the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) has developed, and the resources the Maine based National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) provides to help educate - often for free. Reaching out to Veterans groups (local/state and national) and other national and local organizations with local ties and related interests will be happening on a larger scale in the entire state and specifically here.
Where do you go with questions and answers? The PUB site www.pubfiber.org can enable a local connection or a link to a resource for help and may provide answers to questions already addressed on the site. The Fidium Fiber website provides many more answers and proactively addresses many questions you may have on their fiber service at www.fidiumfiber.com. Calling, emailing, or texting local resources can address many more – or point you in the right direction.
Question. Should I keep Starlink to get my money out of it?
Answer. NO!
Fidium: $55/mo 1,000/1000Mbps (1Gbps) for 1st year costs just over $600.
$25/mo 100/100Mbps for 1st year costs just $300 ($540 thereafter).
Starlink: $90-$120/mo ~150/20Mbps costs over $1,080-$1320.
a. Pay for your Starlink equipment cost in less than 6mo by switching to Fidium!
b. Does Starlink & Hughesnet support the ACP program? Nope.
Question. Should I wait a year to find out if fiber works?
Answer. NO!
Everything you use now - Cell Phone, Satellite TV, Spectrum cable, etc. uses and depends on fiber. Everything!
Stonington has had Fidium for the last year and many on the Peninsula since March '23 - it works!
Fiber is available to everyone...
Every home and small business, from Castine & Surry, to Deer Isle & Stonington - with locations in Orland as well can get Fidium. Most with no installation costs and some may qualify for monthly service at little to no cost with the Affordable Connectivity Plan (ACP).
DirectTV, Starlink, Hughesnet, Spectrum, DSL, Hotspots of any kind, Cell Phones, etc. are no match for Fidium Fiber's Cost, Reliability and Performance!
See www.fidiumfiber.com.
Note: some multi-unit locations may need coordinated installations and some that need special services like long conduit runs may experience delays now due to access to specialized crews and upcoming winter weather.
Do you have a home business and have a CCI Business Account?
1. Change to a Home Account!
2. Then sign up for Fidium@Home!
The savings between a Fidium@Home and Fidium@Work or CCI Fiber Connect accounts is far more than you can write off on taxes - if that was the reason for the business account.
Are you a HOME user of Consolidated Business Fiber Customer? Consolidated’s official policy is to waive the early termination fee for any Consolidated Business Fiber customer who is converting to the Fidium Residential Internet service. The early termination fee will be waived.
SPEED/CAPACITY Tests are not EQUAL!
1. Testing capacity/speed directly to a Modem/ONT provides the only accurate reading of what's coming to the Premise.
a. Make sure you are testing the right service (i.e., if your old system is still connected, unplug it before you test!).
b. Testing capacity/speed via WIFI is affected by distance and signal drop. Performance drop occurs for Fiber, DSL, Satellite, cellular, etc. and always has been that way!
2. Testing of Speed/Capacity will vary due to distance, objects impacting the signal and even your own device(s). The WIFI systems in a computing device WILL impact the capacity tests! Don't blame it on the Internet Service Provider.
3. Fidium's Attune Application on your smartphone tests both WIFI & ONT capacity/speed from your smartphone!
SUPPORTING DIGITAL EQUITY (DE)
Supporting the development or employment of better Internet in a community goes hand in hand with Digital Equity (DE) and is one of its key elements. The Blue Hill Peninsula area group referenced as The PUB has a new domain name - www.pubfiber.org. Our Mission Statement (since forming in 2018) states: “The Peninsula Utility for Broadband (PUB) advocates for fast, flexible, affordable and reliable internet to incentivize business, support schools, advance the quality of healthcare, connect homes and facilitate long term education and socialization of our rural communities.”
Fidium Fiber became a reality for everyone who wants it in our area in March 2023, and our efforts will continue to ensure everyone knows just that, and why getting fiber makes sense over any other Internet service medium (Cable, Satellite, DSL, Hotspot…). Because of the Fidium Fiber price structure, it’s also critically important to improve the awareness and use of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), raise the awareness of technology (i.e., Internet use and tools) through training opportunities, and the general benefits that access to the Internet brings for Education, Health Care, Connectivity with others and the other valuable benefits (i.e., Streaming and Phone) which are money saving and effective tools for everyone with good Internet access. Fiber is the gold standard and is used by every service – from satellites to cell phones. Fidium Fiber is the provider that brings it to your house! Not sure if you want to use it, you can try it for a month for free. For those that qualify, use your ACP benefit with any participating provider (your choice).
Do you have Fidium Fiber to your home? Do it! Can’t afford the monthly access, or is there some other reason? Fiber based Internet access is symmetrical, futureproof, and available with no installation cost, and for those qualified, you can afford the monthly access because it’s also free! Consider that if someone is on SNAP, Medicaid, or other benefit program - you can be qualified for the program.
Example: If you are a family of dour making under $60,000 you can qualify for up to a $30/month discount. No Internet Service Provider (ISP) can prequalify you. It is your family, not your address that gets qualified.
ACP - Based on Your Income
You're eligible for ACP if your income is 200% or less than the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Table below reflects the income limit by household size for Maine and the 48 Contiguous States.
Household Size Maine
1 $29,160
2 $39,440
3 $49,720
4 $60,000
5 $70,280
6 $80,560
7 $90,840
8 $101,120
Each addtl person, add: $10,280
Moving forward in Maine, we know that reaching out to food pantries, churches, and schools is vital in presenting a common well thought out voice, using tools such as those the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) has developed, and the resources the Maine based National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) provides to help educate - often for free. Reaching out to Veterans groups (local/state and national) and other national and local organizations with local ties and related interests will be happening on a larger scale in the entire state and specifically here.
Where do you go with questions and answers? The PUB site www.pubfiber.org can enable a local connection or a link to a resource for help and may provide answers to questions already addressed on the site. The Fidium Fiber website provides many more answers and proactively addresses many questions you may have on their fiber service at www.fidiumfiber.com. Calling, emailing, or texting local resources can address many more – or point you in the right direction.
Question. Should I keep Starlink to get my money out of it?
Answer. NO!
Fidium: $55/mo 1,000/1000Mbps (1Gbps) for 1st year costs just over $600.
$25/mo 100/100Mbps for 1st year costs just $300 ($540 thereafter).
Starlink: $90-$120/mo ~150/20Mbps costs over $1,080-$1320.
a. Pay for your Starlink equipment cost in less than 6mo by switching to Fidium!
b. Does Starlink & Hughesnet support the ACP program? Nope.
Question. Should I wait a year to find out if fiber works?
Answer. NO!
Everything you use now - Cell Phone, Satellite TV, Spectrum cable, etc. uses and depends on fiber. Everything!
Stonington has had Fidium for the last year and many on the Peninsula since March '23 - it works!
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What is conduit?
The micro conduit Fidium uses (see pics) as needed from the last pole to the premise it's buried in a "slit trench. ” The orange casing has a copper wire tracing wire and a pull tape. Tracing wire? https://www.kristechwire.com/what-is-tracer-wire/ 1. If an existing conduit is broken or blocked, it is your responsibility to clear/fix the path CCI/Fidium will generally follow. Once addressed, they can finish the job. 2. Micro conduit is being used for locations where previous phone lines are raw buried (no conduit) or where there may have been nothing at all. They will install up to 500 feet no cost. In some locations they cannot use a trencher (woods, ledge, etc.) and you may have to provide your own. 3. For locations with buried conduit and no tracer wire, no pull tape or a simple poly line, the prior “installer" has made the job that much more difficult. CCI/Fidium is trying to work through them. |
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CLARIFICATION:
1. Fidium is not the same overall service as Consolidated Fiber Connect.
a. Have a Consolidated Business Account at work or at your home? You get Consolidated Fiber Connect.
b. Have a Consolidated Home Account with copper phone line or DSL on your home account (even if used for work) you get Fidium@Home.
c. Have any other service at "work" for your Business you get Fidium@Work.
d. Setting your home business up on a Business Account is NOT cost effective for tax purposes!
2. Fidium Fiber's available NOW! Order it! DO IT ONLINE if at all possible.
a. Even if you are unsure, GET IT! It's FREE for the 1st month!. Get it to the House and decide.
3. Don't transition to VOIP until your Fiber Installation is complete.
a. You may lose phone/DSL if installation is delayed and the transfer is initiated. Both operate on the same copper phone line. Keep DSL or other service until the Fiber is up and running - then do it.
4. If you have CCI for Phone and DSL, only cancel DSL if you're keeping your phone line.
5. Consolidated Fiber Connect does not have the same benefits as Fidium@home or @work. There is no app and no free extenders, etc.
Fidium Fiber Connection for the "last pole" to the house
When an inside installation is scheduled, installers will complete exterior tasks before the schedule date you receive. If tasks are not completed, the interior connection date may slide. No one needs to be at the property for the the exterior work, but if situations might need explanation, it might be beneficial for someone to be there. That timing is not necessarily known if you might call.
The tasks may include:
1. Fiber down a road or long driveway to the last pole. Resident does not need to be there.
2. Fiber in a new or existing conduit to the outside of the house and then ready for the installers (or last pole to the house exterior). Resident does not need to be there.
3. Actual scheduled Installation date. Resident needs to be there.
4. If a premise has no clear communication path and a conduit is needed, it may have to be installed under or over the ground.
Monthly Pricing is shown on the Q&A Page of this site, but Fidium Fiber will have the latest.
For additional process info. see: https://www.fidiumfiber.com/Support/getting-started/getting-ready-for-your-installation
Consolidated/Fidium will
1. install fiber from the last pole to the house (pole to the house or via conduit) at no cost.
2. will install the fiber using existing conduit if it can be used. No distance limit at no cost.
3. will install up to 500 feet of micro conduit at no cost. Conduit installs over 500ft. will be at the cost of the subscriber/property owner.
4. will return and bury conduit/fiber cable that may have been laid on the ground due to frozen conduit or other issues if they are able to do so
a. Conduit laid over ledges, over tree roots, etc. can not be buried.
1. Fidium is not the same overall service as Consolidated Fiber Connect.
a. Have a Consolidated Business Account at work or at your home? You get Consolidated Fiber Connect.
b. Have a Consolidated Home Account with copper phone line or DSL on your home account (even if used for work) you get Fidium@Home.
c. Have any other service at "work" for your Business you get Fidium@Work.
d. Setting your home business up on a Business Account is NOT cost effective for tax purposes!
2. Fidium Fiber's available NOW! Order it! DO IT ONLINE if at all possible.
a. Even if you are unsure, GET IT! It's FREE for the 1st month!. Get it to the House and decide.
3. Don't transition to VOIP until your Fiber Installation is complete.
a. You may lose phone/DSL if installation is delayed and the transfer is initiated. Both operate on the same copper phone line. Keep DSL or other service until the Fiber is up and running - then do it.
4. If you have CCI for Phone and DSL, only cancel DSL if you're keeping your phone line.
5. Consolidated Fiber Connect does not have the same benefits as Fidium@home or @work. There is no app and no free extenders, etc.
Fidium Fiber Connection for the "last pole" to the house
When an inside installation is scheduled, installers will complete exterior tasks before the schedule date you receive. If tasks are not completed, the interior connection date may slide. No one needs to be at the property for the the exterior work, but if situations might need explanation, it might be beneficial for someone to be there. That timing is not necessarily known if you might call.
The tasks may include:
1. Fiber down a road or long driveway to the last pole. Resident does not need to be there.
2. Fiber in a new or existing conduit to the outside of the house and then ready for the installers (or last pole to the house exterior). Resident does not need to be there.
3. Actual scheduled Installation date. Resident needs to be there.
4. If a premise has no clear communication path and a conduit is needed, it may have to be installed under or over the ground.
Monthly Pricing is shown on the Q&A Page of this site, but Fidium Fiber will have the latest.
For additional process info. see: https://www.fidiumfiber.com/Support/getting-started/getting-ready-for-your-installation
Consolidated/Fidium will
1. install fiber from the last pole to the house (pole to the house or via conduit) at no cost.
2. will install the fiber using existing conduit if it can be used. No distance limit at no cost.
3. will install up to 500 feet of micro conduit at no cost. Conduit installs over 500ft. will be at the cost of the subscriber/property owner.
4. will return and bury conduit/fiber cable that may have been laid on the ground due to frozen conduit or other issues if they are able to do so
a. Conduit laid over ledges, over tree roots, etc. can not be buried.
Need your Starlink anymore or do you need an Affordable Computer?
See give IT get IT.
See give IT get IT.
The Award Summary - Peninsula Beneficiaries: Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Stonington (See press release)
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) AWARD
ConnectMaine is awarded funds from the NTIA to help provide Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) for the Blue Hill Peninsula. The combination of funding from NTIA, CCI’s prior FCC RDOF award, and CCI's own financial contribution, makes this possible. ConnectMaine submitted an application on August 17th for part of the NTIA funds set aside for Broadband ($288 Million). The application process occurred concurrently with the 4-Town RFP process and ConnectMaine chose CCI (www.fidiumfiber.com) as the Internet Service Provider (ISP) for area. The award was announced February 25th 2022 and requires no funding from the communities it will serve. It technically meets and geographically exceeds the 4-Town Joint Report's goals. Only 13 applications of 230 received were awarded.
Blue Hill, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Penobscot (The Towns) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 9th 2021, receiving proposals from six (6) Respondents. The 4-Town Joint Status Report and Process Review was released January 7th.
The RFP and Joint Status Report outline the following baseline for service:
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) AWARD
ConnectMaine is awarded funds from the NTIA to help provide Fiber to the Premise (FTTP) for the Blue Hill Peninsula. The combination of funding from NTIA, CCI’s prior FCC RDOF award, and CCI's own financial contribution, makes this possible. ConnectMaine submitted an application on August 17th for part of the NTIA funds set aside for Broadband ($288 Million). The application process occurred concurrently with the 4-Town RFP process and ConnectMaine chose CCI (www.fidiumfiber.com) as the Internet Service Provider (ISP) for area. The award was announced February 25th 2022 and requires no funding from the communities it will serve. It technically meets and geographically exceeds the 4-Town Joint Report's goals. Only 13 applications of 230 received were awarded.
Blue Hill, Brooksville, Deer Isle and Penobscot (The Towns) released a Request for Proposal (RFP) on July 9th 2021, receiving proposals from six (6) Respondents. The 4-Town Joint Status Report and Process Review was released January 7th.
The RFP and Joint Status Report outline the following baseline for service:
- Full Fiber Optic Network: Fiber to the Premise (FTTP)
- Ubiquitous: Available to any location currently served by grid-connected electricity and/or wireline telephone
- Available capacity of 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) Upload and Download [equivalency] or greater
- Symmetrical service (i.e., 100Mbps/100Mbps)
- No data caps and no throttling of data
- Aerial (or existing available conduit) installation standard with minimal start-up/connection costs; reasonable connections and underground requirements identified and addressed as applicable
| State of Maine-Statewide Broadband Action Plan 2020.pdf |