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What will be the monthly cost to customers?
o The initial cost estimate is
$59.99/month for residential internet service.
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What speed will be offered?
o At a minimum, speeds will
exceed the FCC definition of broadband, which is 25 Mbps downstream/3Mbps upstream.
Most average speeds will be up to 200 Mbps up and down (no data caps). Up to
1Gbps will be available at a higher cost. Additional options will be available
for business customers.
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What's the projected startup time?
o
We expect construction to
begin no later than June 2019.
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When will I get high speed
internet at my home?
o Phase I of the broadband
project includes the build-out of a 365-mile fiber core that will connect our
24 substations and six offices, and includes additional fiber to serve beyond
our needs. Phase I also includes working toward serving those members in the
4,000 ft. area around our core ring, which includes nearly 10,000 homes and
businesses.
o As this Phase takes off, and
the model is proven, we can move to Phase II of the project, which involves
installing infrastructure past that initial 4,000 ft. and on to even more customers.
We need to reach the goal of a 35% take rate from those within this
first phase in order to move forward. This will be a multi-year project, but taking this first step
right now gets us closer to providing broadband to those members who no one has
been willing to serve.
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How far out will service be available?
o In the coming months, you
will be able to visit https://www.caecaccess.com/front_end/zones to determine if your address is included in
Phase I of the project.
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Will this create jobs for the co-op or will this be
contracted out?
o We will begin the search to
hire a professional with an internet service background to help manage the
business.
o Initially, a combination of
CAEC employees and contractors will be used for various processes.
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If I am not a member, can I still get service?
o Based on how close you are
to our construction path, you may be eligible for service.
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What happens to the $25 I
paid for participating in the survey?
o As construction moves
forward, member interest will help determine which communities get connected next.
o Paying the $25 for the
survey has already placed you on the pre-registration list for service and will
also count toward helping us to determine demand in your community.
o This amount will take the
place of any future connection fees.
o While Phase II has not
begun, we are already accepting pre-registration for the areas outside of the
Phase I construction zone.
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How can I help get the word out to my neighbors about this
project?
o
Invite us out to a
neighborhood, church or civic club meeting!
o
We can also provide you with
printed materials or a PDF that you can share.
o
Send the www.caecaccess.coop link to everyone you know
and tell them to pre-register.