This page contains information specific to Blue Hill, Maine - from Presentations & Reports to current efforts and their status updates.
See the two (2) reports below.
See the two (2) reports below.
Blue Hill Specific Reports
Blue Hill Broadband Report - Why was it created?
The locally developed and recently Updated (Feb 2021) Blue Hill Broadband Report was created to more accurately identify wired Internet access in Blue Hill and provide selected basic facts about Internet and how they relate to the Town's existing wired infrastructure.
In the document are some of the items in the previously prepared "Technology Plan" that did not accurately represent realities in Blue Hill. The Blue Hill Broadband Report was not developed to present a full Option Assessment or assess the Design to Funding options available to the Town - but attempts to clarify what we have, do not have and why. It also captures some of the key shortfalls in the town's DSL capacity and why they may not be corrected. Changes occurring in how providers look at Legacy systems such as DSL will affect us for some time to come unless we are proactive is addressing the issues.
In the document are some of the items in the previously prepared "Technology Plan" that did not accurately represent realities in Blue Hill. The Blue Hill Broadband Report was not developed to present a full Option Assessment or assess the Design to Funding options available to the Town - but attempts to clarify what we have, do not have and why. It also captures some of the key shortfalls in the town's DSL capacity and why they may not be corrected. Changes occurring in how providers look at Legacy systems such as DSL will affect us for some time to come unless we are proactive is addressing the issues.
| Blue Hill Broadband Report Feb 19 2021.pdf |
Update: Consolidated Communications Inc. (CCI) is changing the direction of their focus on the copper based DSL technology that provides Internet service to many of our communities. Future company upgrades to the DSL systems are paused (permanently)! In Blue Hill it is anticipated that the RT on Pleasant St. may still be upgraded (it had been budgeted by CCI) to serve those unable to get service from the RT because it is at an "as-built" capacity (its full!). The RT on Morgan Bay is not scheduled or anticipated to be upgraded to accept those already without access to the site - and there are many and the number is growing. It too is at an "as-built" capacity (its full!) More info to come as we get it!
What Can You Do Now?
1. Ask CCI for Bonded Service (if it's available)
- Multiple phone lines are combined to deliver greater down and upload capacity. For DSL only.
- There is a catch – not all modems are the same. There is only one you can buy or rent that's the same.
2. Turn OFF Auto Application (app) Updates for devices (i.e. smart phone, tablets, TV, etc.)
- your varying service problems (i.e. lockups) will dramatically improve
3. Ensure you are paying for what you actually get
- Know who you get service from, what you are getting from them and what you are actually paying for.
- Test your Internet connection to make sure you're getting what they say you are! Don't assume you are.
AND don’t forget…learn to deal. Get the most service for the price you are willing/able to pay. This especially applies to cell phone services. Things change all the time and you'll never know it unless you call every quarter or 6 mos.
Please note too - your technician(s) are trying to do their best with what they have to work with. They are as frustrated as you! They have the same problems at home too.
Conduct the Speed Test noted on the Home Page.
For general speed testing https://www.speedtest.net is on the web and as an app for tablets & smart phones.
The Need for Speed... and Capacity!
We all have the need and many don’t even know it, or how to measure it. As time passes the need increases, we then get left even more behind – really!
At 3.2 miles from the local DSL (Consolidated-CCI) Central Office (CO) and with bonded service (note #1 above), my capacity is 2.7Mbps/.7Mbps. Non bonded it was 1.5Mbps/.5Mbps, though CCI provides unlimited data! The only other reasonable option is HughesNet "Gen 5" – with a minimum 25Mbps/3Mbps but with data cap levels which when exceeded lower the capacity to my DSL level. I'd tested the 10 Gig data service (cost more than CCI) and used the 10G of data in under 2 days. For 4K streaming, Netflix estimates 7 gigabytes an hour.
Starlink is coming and it’s a solution for some and a short ter one for those that would get Fiber to the Home/Premise.
Netflix recommends a 3Mbps connection for one (1) standard-quality stream & 5Mbps for a high-definition (HD) stream (up to 1080p). Two (2) simultaneous HD quality streams would need around 10Mbps, and so on.
For 4K (UHD) Amazon recommends at least 15Mbps, while Netflix advises 25Mbps. If other devices at home occupy your bandwidth, 15 or 25Mbps will not suffice. Online video games don't require much bandwidth to play but downloading a game or other huge file can take a lot of bandwidth.
Netflix and Amazon want your business and for you to be happy.
This may help – for:
General web surfing, email, social media - 1 Mbps
Online gaming* - 1-3 Mbps
Video conferencing - 1-4 Mbps
Standard-definition (SD) video streaming - 3-4 Mbps
High-definition (HD) video streaming - 5-8 Mbps
4K (UHD) video streaming - 15-25 Mbps
Frequent large file downloading - 50 Mbps and up
*A connection with low latency, the time it takes your computer to talk to the game server, is more important than bandwidth for gaming.
Internet provider data caps (e.g. Cell Phones and HughesNet) drive the costs up.
In less than five (5) years - when the next TV technology comes out or the need for more advanced systems is released and you want or need it…. you better be thinking Fiber! 100-200Mbps will not be enough. Cable TV is not gonna cut it nor is DSL – both rely on copper.
The speed you sign up for isn’t always the speed you get. You can get up to the listed speed but the available bandwidth can be affected by other household network demand, your own hardware and your provider’s infrastructure quality, among other factors.
While download speed is often a major criteria, upload speed can be just as important. Upload photos, videos? Uploading large files with slow/low upload speed/capacity can slow down your download or even lock up your modem.
Submitted by: Butler Smythe
At 3.2 miles from the local DSL (Consolidated-CCI) Central Office (CO) and with bonded service (note #1 above), my capacity is 2.7Mbps/.7Mbps. Non bonded it was 1.5Mbps/.5Mbps, though CCI provides unlimited data! The only other reasonable option is HughesNet "Gen 5" – with a minimum 25Mbps/3Mbps but with data cap levels which when exceeded lower the capacity to my DSL level. I'd tested the 10 Gig data service (cost more than CCI) and used the 10G of data in under 2 days. For 4K streaming, Netflix estimates 7 gigabytes an hour.
Starlink is coming and it’s a solution for some and a short ter one for those that would get Fiber to the Home/Premise.
Netflix recommends a 3Mbps connection for one (1) standard-quality stream & 5Mbps for a high-definition (HD) stream (up to 1080p). Two (2) simultaneous HD quality streams would need around 10Mbps, and so on.
For 4K (UHD) Amazon recommends at least 15Mbps, while Netflix advises 25Mbps. If other devices at home occupy your bandwidth, 15 or 25Mbps will not suffice. Online video games don't require much bandwidth to play but downloading a game or other huge file can take a lot of bandwidth.
Netflix and Amazon want your business and for you to be happy.
This may help – for:
General web surfing, email, social media - 1 Mbps
Online gaming* - 1-3 Mbps
Video conferencing - 1-4 Mbps
Standard-definition (SD) video streaming - 3-4 Mbps
High-definition (HD) video streaming - 5-8 Mbps
4K (UHD) video streaming - 15-25 Mbps
Frequent large file downloading - 50 Mbps and up
*A connection with low latency, the time it takes your computer to talk to the game server, is more important than bandwidth for gaming.
Internet provider data caps (e.g. Cell Phones and HughesNet) drive the costs up.
In less than five (5) years - when the next TV technology comes out or the need for more advanced systems is released and you want or need it…. you better be thinking Fiber! 100-200Mbps will not be enough. Cable TV is not gonna cut it nor is DSL – both rely on copper.
The speed you sign up for isn’t always the speed you get. You can get up to the listed speed but the available bandwidth can be affected by other household network demand, your own hardware and your provider’s infrastructure quality, among other factors.
While download speed is often a major criteria, upload speed can be just as important. Upload photos, videos? Uploading large files with slow/low upload speed/capacity can slow down your download or even lock up your modem.
Submitted by: Butler Smythe
So Where is Consolidated (CCI) in Blue Hill?
Summary: There is a Central Office and four (4) active Remote Terminals for all of Blue Hill.... - two cannot support new subscribers nor those already in the area.
Service <.2 of a mile from any location is below 25Mbps/3Mbps and is not considered Broadband by the FCC or ConnectMaine!
Beyond 3 miles - CCI generally would not connect a home for service - but they do....
Consolidated (CCI) – Central Office (CO) & Remote Terminals (RT) Locations (see graphic below)
Capacity at some RT's is maxed out (as noted) and no specific plans are in place to enable more new service. This may apply to adjacent town's as well.
Capacity at some RT's is maxed out (as noted) and no specific plans are in place to enable more new service. This may apply to adjacent town's as well.
- High Street (N. corner of High and Pleasant St.) - CO
- Falls Bridge Road (175) (S. side, Between South & Parker Pt. Rd) - RT
- Pleasant Street (15) (E. side just prior to Hinkley Ridge Rd) - RT. Capacity FULL (no new service)
- Morgan Bay Road (176) (E. side 44°25'47.6"N 68°30'43.1"W) - RT. Capacity FULL (no new service)
- Mines Road (176) (N. side of Mines and .2 mi south of Grindleville Rd) - RT
- Ellsworth Road (172)– No RT!
Central Office (CO) High & Pleasant Streets
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Remote Terminal (RT) - ON Pleasant St. south of Hinkley Ridge Rd. - Capacity is currently FULL!
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Remote Terminal (RT) - Falls Bridge Rd. near South St.
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Morgan Bay Road - approx. 1 Mi. short of the Surry Town Line
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Mines Road's RT - near Grindleville Rd.
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Signal Loss On CCI Copper Wiring Over Distance
Bandwidth vs. distance: Longer the distance between the remote terminal (RT) & the subscriber, slower the max possible data rate due to lower frequencies being used to limit total attenuation (or higher # of errors at higher frequencies, effectively lowering overall freq./data rate). Rough guide follows - wire distance (based on 0.40 mm copper & ADSL2+ technology) & max data rate. Local conditions may vary, especially beyond 2 km, often necessitating a closer DSLAM.
- 25 Mbps at 1,000 ft 25/3 = FCC & Connect Maine “Broadband”
- 21 Mbps at 5,000 ft 1 Mile = 5,280 Ft
- 8 Mbps at 10,000 ft 2 Miles = 10,560 Ft
- 3 Mbps at 15,000 ft 3 Miles = 15,840 (Measurement at 3.2 mi. = 1.6/.6 (off EBH Rd))
- 1.5 Mbps at 17,000 ft ~3.4 Miles (CCI will not hook up a residence to DSL)
The graphic above serves to depict all the roads on which Charter Spectrum is located (blue lines) and the location of CCI transmitting offices/terminals for DSL.
Spectrum
1. Being on a road can not be assumed to mean service is available, as any residence over approximately 150 ft. from the road would have to pay to have wire extended to their building at approximately $20,000 per mile.
2. Not all roads are fully covered their entire length.
3. No road in Blue Hill with Spectrum on it has 100% coverage for all residences or businesses, even those where it travels the entire length (i.e. Parker Pt,, Salt Pond & Falls Bridge roads).
4. Spectrum will not state how many homes and businesses they serve in Blue Hill - only how many they "pass by."
CCI
1. Signal drop from a CO or RT is noted above.
2. CCI does not provide FCC/ConnectME broadband beyond 1,000 feet from those locations.
3. Anyone within approximately 3 miles of a CO or RT will get basic internet (DSL) if it is on a sending leg from that location.
4. Not every home in Blue Hill has even basic wired internet access (i.e. some have none at all). The total is not specifically known, but it is estimated that approximately 150 do not - of the approximately 1,500 building units (10%).
5. CCI will not state how many homes or businesses are not served by basic DSL.
Spectrum
1. Being on a road can not be assumed to mean service is available, as any residence over approximately 150 ft. from the road would have to pay to have wire extended to their building at approximately $20,000 per mile.
2. Not all roads are fully covered their entire length.
3. No road in Blue Hill with Spectrum on it has 100% coverage for all residences or businesses, even those where it travels the entire length (i.e. Parker Pt,, Salt Pond & Falls Bridge roads).
4. Spectrum will not state how many homes and businesses they serve in Blue Hill - only how many they "pass by."
CCI
1. Signal drop from a CO or RT is noted above.
2. CCI does not provide FCC/ConnectME broadband beyond 1,000 feet from those locations.
3. Anyone within approximately 3 miles of a CO or RT will get basic internet (DSL) if it is on a sending leg from that location.
4. Not every home in Blue Hill has even basic wired internet access (i.e. some have none at all). The total is not specifically known, but it is estimated that approximately 150 do not - of the approximately 1,500 building units (10%).
5. CCI will not state how many homes or businesses are not served by basic DSL.
Benefits of Fiber... |
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Fiber In Blue Hill - yes it is here - but limited in access and purpose....
There is Fiber Optic Cable in Blue Hill. It is readily identified at a utility poles by an orange cover whose marking provides the identification of the owner. The primary owner is Consolidated Communications. It's primary purposes are as follows:
1. Provide signal to the Central Office and Remote Terminals
2. Provide fiber service through the Maine Schools and Libraries Network (MSLN) - see below
3. To business users (it is believe there are none in Blue Hill)
4. Provide fiber service to the tower on Blue Hill Mountain
Note: This fiber is not for home use and CCI's business model does not enable that.
Fiber is located on:
a. East Blue Hill Rd. (to the RT on Morgan Bay Rd)
b. Curtis Cove Rd (to the East Blue Hill Library)
c. Ellsworth Road
d. Pleasant St. (to the RT on Pleasant & Hinkley Ridge Rds. & beyond)
e. Mountain Rd. (servicing the tower on Blue Hill Mtn.
f. Mines Rd. to Sedgwick (to service the RT on the Mines Rd.)
g. South St. & Salt Pond Rd. to Sedgwick Rd. (servicing the RT on Falls Bridge Rd.)
The Fiber is NOT on the Falls Bridge Road!
Note: Fiber goes through the Village of Blue Hill to connect to the roads named above.
Fiber service as provided by Maine Schools and Libraries Network (MSLN) to:
1. Provide signal to the Central Office and Remote Terminals
2. Provide fiber service through the Maine Schools and Libraries Network (MSLN) - see below
3. To business users (it is believe there are none in Blue Hill)
4. Provide fiber service to the tower on Blue Hill Mountain
Note: This fiber is not for home use and CCI's business model does not enable that.
Fiber is located on:
a. East Blue Hill Rd. (to the RT on Morgan Bay Rd)
b. Curtis Cove Rd (to the East Blue Hill Library)
c. Ellsworth Road
d. Pleasant St. (to the RT on Pleasant & Hinkley Ridge Rds. & beyond)
e. Mountain Rd. (servicing the tower on Blue Hill Mtn.
f. Mines Rd. to Sedgwick (to service the RT on the Mines Rd.)
g. South St. & Salt Pond Rd. to Sedgwick Rd. (servicing the RT on Falls Bridge Rd.)
The Fiber is NOT on the Falls Bridge Road!
Note: Fiber goes through the Village of Blue Hill to connect to the roads named above.
Fiber service as provided by Maine Schools and Libraries Network (MSLN) to:
- Blue Hill Public Library (Blue Hill)
- East Blue Hill Library (East Blue Hill)
- George Stevens Academy (Village)
- Consolidated School (Village)
- Harbor School (South St.)
- Bay School (South St.)
CATV-"K" in photo w/droop
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Orange is Fiber Cable
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Example of Fiber Cable
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