Please pass this site link along to those that might not be aware of it - assume they are not.
The Blue Hill Peninsula is getting Fiber to the Premise for Home & Small Business!
"Consolidated Communications to Deliver Fidium Fiber Internet to 22,000 Rural Maine Homes and Businesses through Connect Maine Partnership $18.3 million NTIA grant enables public private partnership to deliver gigabit fiber to Rangeley Lakes Region, the Blue Hill Peninsula and the Farmington area..." (see press release). Peninsula Beneficiaries: Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Stonington.
The Blue Hill Peninsula is getting Fiber to the Premise for Home & Small Business!
"Consolidated Communications to Deliver Fidium Fiber Internet to 22,000 Rural Maine Homes and Businesses through Connect Maine Partnership $18.3 million NTIA grant enables public private partnership to deliver gigabit fiber to Rangeley Lakes Region, the Blue Hill Peninsula and the Farmington area..." (see press release). Peninsula Beneficiaries: Blue Hill, Brooklin, Brooksville, Castine, Deer Isle, Penobscot, Sedgwick and Stonington.
These photos show Fiber cables on Parker Point Road in Blue Hill (taken 15 Jan) - prior to splicing work. You'll see this excess cable at cable ends or where slack is needed across the Blue Hill Peninsula. Fiber is on primary, secondary roads and some private roads too! Note that the larger bottom horizontal cable belongs to Consolidated (CCI) (i.e. copper for phone lines/DSL and Fiber). The cable above it (noted by droops at the poles) belongs to Spectrum (CATV). Fidium Fiber is being built on ALL roads, even where Spectrum is installed as noted here. Wire is wrapped over the top of the existing CCI cabling and fiber cable - they're fast!
Fiber will be available to everyone that wants it for Internet & their Landline Phones too!
Fidium Fiber - A "Technical" What’s Happening
People can subscribe for service and establish a rough connection time ONLY WHEN the Network is built and tested and that is anticipated to be in March of 2023! Some connections may take longer than others – that should be obvious – and the number of subscribers initially will cause longer build times than when fewer are seeking the service.
PLEASE, PLEASE PREORDER Online or with one of the folks that may come to your home, but don’t wait for them though!
Fidium Fiber - A "Technical" What’s Happening
- Fidium and their subcontractors are putting fiber cable on utility poles to build the base network for the Fiber to the Premise build on the Blue Hill Peninsula. That includes some private roads as well. The fiber is laid on top of existing CCI cabling and then wire wrapped for security.
- Once the cable is installed, technicians will splice the cables together to continue the network build. Concurrently the Central Offices owned by CCI that serve various areas of the towns will be upgraded with new equipment to support the Fiber Network.
- Once the cable and equipment is ready the network will be tested and the system verified. Only then will connections to the Premise be possible.
- Following verification of the network functionality, word will go out that subscribers (those that want to be) can call (if you have CCI service) or subscribe online (for those that have no CCI service) with details and requirements coming with the announcement!
- A short one-mile undersea cable is going to be installed as soon as CCI can arrange a barge/boat to do the work and the weather is suitable for the land work needed for each shore. This ONLY AFFECTS portions of Brooksville and Penobscot – no one else. CCI is hoping there is minimal delay, and all work will be complete by the end of May or before. ALL land work to build the network will be complete in March or before.
People can subscribe for service and establish a rough connection time ONLY WHEN the Network is built and tested and that is anticipated to be in March of 2023! Some connections may take longer than others – that should be obvious – and the number of subscribers initially will cause longer build times than when fewer are seeking the service.
PLEASE, PLEASE PREORDER Online or with one of the folks that may come to your home, but don’t wait for them though!
Fidium Fiber Open Discussion at the Blue Hill Town Hall Auditorium and via Zoom
- Please click to get dates, times and links to the discussions!
- Please click to get dates, times and links to the discussions!
Updated 20 January 2023!
The land build of the Fidium Fiber network on the Peninsula is scheduled to be completed in March, though a a small area of Penobscot and parts of Brooksville that need an undersea cable connection may be delayed into May for that portion of the build only while land work will be complete. CCI is working to reduce the timeline which is impacted by barge availability to deploy the cable and weather (ground issues) on the land access areas! More info will be made available for those affected as soon as it is available.
Right now, 90% of Blue Hill, 80% of Sedgwick/Brooklin are "complete," with others catching up fast.
IMPORTANT: Once the network is complete and tested, existing customers and those who pre-ordered will get email notification. Only then will the sign-up for actual service scheduling begins. You can not schedule installations yet!
The following is for when you can actually subscribe! (NOT YET!):
1. If you have existing CCI service you MUST signup by calling to schedule the installation and coordinate your existing and new service.
2. If you do NOT have existing service you may signup ONLINE as there is no coordination of service.
It may take as little was 3 days to an unknown time frame to get connected - depending on how many are seeking the initial service
As of 20 January 2023, there were ONLY ~750 Pre-Registered on the Peninsula. Fidium is deploying people on the ground to get those numbers up and to get information to those that may know nothing about the service! PLEASE PREORDER!
Note: If you have an issue with your address when trying to preregister, please contact one of your town reps to address that with CCI, or we will provide you with a specific contact. E-mail works best. Please provide your Name and Full Address!
Overview
Government approval was provided and the FULL BUILD is underway with planned completion by the end of 1st Quarter 2023. All trucks you may see with cable reels are CCI or are subcontracted to lay FIBER for the Fidium Fiber build (see photo examples above).
Additionally, Surry will now be getting Fidium through their own efforts for areas without fiber (i.e. Premium Choice's fiber) to include overbuilding over Spectrum.
1. Approximately 45 days before the build completes you'll be able to subscribe.
2. PLEASE Pre-Order on the Fidium site and you'll be able to register to get an email notification when that subscription window opens.
NOTE: This is for ANYONE that wants Fiber to the home or small business AND for those that just want to upgrade their phone service to fiber - at no cost to install and a lower monthly cost!
IMPORTANT: Locations with current CCI connections (or past service) will be connected at no cost. (see FIDIUM FIBER CONNECTION below)
a. If a premise is determined to have no communication connection or path, one may have to be created.
b. Pricing is shown on the Q&A Page of this site and the Fidium Fiber site.
What can you do now?
a. Make sure that the wiring on the utility poles on your property are not cluttered with tree branches. This will make it easier for the contractors to add additional cabling and prevent impacts in the future caused by trees growing up or out into the wiring. Branches on the wiring provide squirrels with easier access to the cabling & they might like to chew on the new soy based covering material.... Note that this is not a requirement, but a suggestion....
The land build of the Fidium Fiber network on the Peninsula is scheduled to be completed in March, though a a small area of Penobscot and parts of Brooksville that need an undersea cable connection may be delayed into May for that portion of the build only while land work will be complete. CCI is working to reduce the timeline which is impacted by barge availability to deploy the cable and weather (ground issues) on the land access areas! More info will be made available for those affected as soon as it is available.
Right now, 90% of Blue Hill, 80% of Sedgwick/Brooklin are "complete," with others catching up fast.
IMPORTANT: Once the network is complete and tested, existing customers and those who pre-ordered will get email notification. Only then will the sign-up for actual service scheduling begins. You can not schedule installations yet!
The following is for when you can actually subscribe! (NOT YET!):
1. If you have existing CCI service you MUST signup by calling to schedule the installation and coordinate your existing and new service.
2. If you do NOT have existing service you may signup ONLINE as there is no coordination of service.
It may take as little was 3 days to an unknown time frame to get connected - depending on how many are seeking the initial service
As of 20 January 2023, there were ONLY ~750 Pre-Registered on the Peninsula. Fidium is deploying people on the ground to get those numbers up and to get information to those that may know nothing about the service! PLEASE PREORDER!
Note: If you have an issue with your address when trying to preregister, please contact one of your town reps to address that with CCI, or we will provide you with a specific contact. E-mail works best. Please provide your Name and Full Address!
Overview
Government approval was provided and the FULL BUILD is underway with planned completion by the end of 1st Quarter 2023. All trucks you may see with cable reels are CCI or are subcontracted to lay FIBER for the Fidium Fiber build (see photo examples above).
Additionally, Surry will now be getting Fidium through their own efforts for areas without fiber (i.e. Premium Choice's fiber) to include overbuilding over Spectrum.
1. Approximately 45 days before the build completes you'll be able to subscribe.
2. PLEASE Pre-Order on the Fidium site and you'll be able to register to get an email notification when that subscription window opens.
NOTE: This is for ANYONE that wants Fiber to the home or small business AND for those that just want to upgrade their phone service to fiber - at no cost to install and a lower monthly cost!
IMPORTANT: Locations with current CCI connections (or past service) will be connected at no cost. (see FIDIUM FIBER CONNECTION below)
a. If a premise is determined to have no communication connection or path, one may have to be created.
b. Pricing is shown on the Q&A Page of this site and the Fidium Fiber site.
What can you do now?
a. Make sure that the wiring on the utility poles on your property are not cluttered with tree branches. This will make it easier for the contractors to add additional cabling and prevent impacts in the future caused by trees growing up or out into the wiring. Branches on the wiring provide squirrels with easier access to the cabling & they might like to chew on the new soy based covering material.... Note that this is not a requirement, but a suggestion....
Fidium Fiber Connection for the "last pole" to the house
There may be variables at a premise, but they ALL are surmountable. MOST potential subscribers will have a direct pole to the premise connection or an existing conduit path. The following ONLY APPLIES to those that have existing direct buried communication lines or none at all.
What to do:
b. You can proactively understand what you have or don’t have to the premise and be thoughtfully prepared. i.e. how far is it to the premise, is there conduit, or do you assume there is not (i.e. you can’t see any conduit that is in use).
4. IMPORTANT: Fidium (CCI) can, depending on the situation but not guaranteed, connect you when the ground is frozen by laying the fiber on the ground to the house or in conduit, supplied by you, that can be laid on the ground till it is buried by you when the ground is ready!
Note: This is commonly done for generators when installed in the winter, as needed.
Conduit Requirements:
What to do:
- If you have a utility pole to the house direct connection – you do nothing.
- If you have phone or Spectrum via conduit – you do nothing as long as there is space enough in the conduit to accommodate another cable.
- If you have direct buried phone or Spectrum – you can do nothing OR
b. You can proactively understand what you have or don’t have to the premise and be thoughtfully prepared. i.e. how far is it to the premise, is there conduit, or do you assume there is not (i.e. you can’t see any conduit that is in use).
4. IMPORTANT: Fidium (CCI) can, depending on the situation but not guaranteed, connect you when the ground is frozen by laying the fiber on the ground to the house or in conduit, supplied by you, that can be laid on the ground till it is buried by you when the ground is ready!
Note: This is commonly done for generators when installed in the winter, as needed.
Conduit Requirements:
- How big should the conduit be? 1 inch minimum with 1.5 - 2 inch ideal. 3 inches is overkill for one fiber line!
- No 90-degree bends – Sweeps (soft curves) only at each end!
- Do you need to preload it with a pull tape to pull the fiber through? No, but if Fidium (CCI) cannot get the fiber or a pull string through the conduit, then the subscriber will be responsible for providing the pull string within that conduit. Better to put it in at time of install.
- If you need to transit a driveway and the ground is frozen, place the conduit across (smaller dia. 1-1.5 inch is ideal) the road and cover with dirt to the degree that the rise needed is met and the conduit covered. Then wet the ground will freeze it in place (no speed bumps for the plows please) and mark so you know where it is! OR prep a depression in a dirt driveway that has minimal impact to plowing or potential bend (radius) of the conduit. If not needed later it can be filled in.
How did we get here?
Listen to: Maine Broadband Coalition Initiatives Across Maine
Listen to: Maine Broadband Coalition Initiatives Across Maine
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:
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
OTHERS
| State of Maine-Statewide Broadband Action Plan 2020.pdf |