Town Broadband Project
On March 14th 2020 town residents voters overwhelmingly approved Warrant Article 2 to raise and appropriate funds for a bond for the purpose of furnishing, constructing, and installing facilities and equipment to make available to residential and business locations in thee Town of Walpole a “Fiber to the Premises” network by Consolidated Communications Enterprise Services, Inc. The vote set in motion a process that will continue over the next year or two and which will result in access to high speed broadband to every premise in Walpole that chooses it.
This page was set up to help communicate the project status as well as hopefully answer any questions you might have.
This page was set up to help communicate the project status as well as hopefully answer any questions you might have.
Overview of work
Installation of the ‘backbone’ of the fiber optic cable throughout town involves a three step process before individual premises can be hooked up.
1. Running the fiber optic cable on the poles
2. Splicing that cable to itself at, what are called, ‘splitter boxes’
3. Testing the cable to insure that all connections are good to go.
Once these 3 steps are complete it will then be possible to connect individual premises to the fiber optic network.
The actual work of installing the ‘backbone’ will begin once the $1.8 Million bond has been issued. The progress of the installation will be tracked periodically on this website once installation commences.
1. Running the fiber optic cable on the poles
2. Splicing that cable to itself at, what are called, ‘splitter boxes’
3. Testing the cable to insure that all connections are good to go.
Once these 3 steps are complete it will then be possible to connect individual premises to the fiber optic network.
The actual work of installing the ‘backbone’ will begin once the $1.8 Million bond has been issued. The progress of the installation will be tracked periodically on this website once installation commences.
Frequently asked Questions
If I like the service and the provider that I have, can I keep what I have even after the new fiber optic cable is installed?
Yes, you bet, there is no need to change either your provider or your service if you like what you have.
I’m interested in taking advantage of this new service, when it becomes available – How do I get connected?
Consolidated Communications Inc. will be asking customers who are interested to sign up as the ‘backbone’ of the fiber optic is nearing completion. Their website is here: https://www.consolidated.com/residential/internet/new-hampshire-fast-internet
Will the fiber optic be run throughout the entire town of Walpole, including both Drewsville and North Walpole?
Yes the fiber cable will cover the entire town but the connections to individual premises will only happen at the request of residents.
HOW WILL THE BOND that the town approved BE PAID?
Those residents who choose to receive this service will pay a monthly user fee in addition to the regular service fee. The user fee will be $7.30 per month for the life of the bond.
How much will the new service cost?
There will be a broad range of service levels available via the fiber optic cable from 25 Mbps (Mega bits per second) up to 1,000 Mbps. The cost for the monthly service will vary based on the plan one chooses, with typical plans having a monthly service fee from $50 to about $70. Phone and television service will also be available. Per our contract with the provider these monthly service fees will be less than, or equal to, the rates charged to subscribers in other portions of New Hampshire.
How come this xosts so much?
Answer to question 5
status
Status update 5/14/2020
Contract signed by Walpole Selectboard!
Last night our selectboard, after several months of negotiations, signed a contract with Consolidated Communications.
Next steps acceptance by the Bond Bank, sale of the bond and we are on our way to fiber optics. The Bond Bank has set an issue date at August 12
Last night our selectboard, after several months of negotiations, signed a contract with Consolidated Communications.
Next steps acceptance by the Bond Bank, sale of the bond and we are on our way to fiber optics. The Bond Bank has set an issue date at August 12
Status update 4/21/2020
“Splitter boxes’ are the components in a fiber optic system where the long lengths of cable are spliced together. Tomorrow morning a few of us will go on a tour of the town to review CCI's proposed placements for the splitter boxes. There will be 8 of these in Walpole and 2 in N Walpole.
(pic of one recently installed in Spofford) |