Question 1

Why will this network be good for residents and businesses in Quincy?

Accepted Answer

The City is confident it will be able to achieve all its goals for this network.  Those goals are outlined by the Mayor on the front page of this website and include the following:
Lowering the cost of internet access for residents and businesses.
Significantly increasing the speed and reliability of internet access.
Creating real competition to give residents multiple options in selecting a service provider - on demand and in real time.
Building a state-of-the-art network to stimulate economic development, foster innovation and increase property values.
Improving services provided to the City by way of public safety, transportation, healthcare, education, emergency communications, and new services that will become available by leveraging this advanced network.

Question 2

What will it cost to deploy the fiber optics to each home?

Accepted Answer

The City is currently researching the costs involved in deploying a fiber network.  Information related to costs per home will be shared as soon as we have this information.

Question 3

Will I be forced to participate in the network?

Accepted Answer

No - Property owners who choose not to particpate will have the option to opt-out of the network.

Question 4

What happens when the fiber optic infrastructure is paid off?

Accepted Answer

Once the infrastructure is paid off, that portion of the costs goes away and the monthly cost to subscribers drops by that amount.

Question 5

What is the breakdown of the total monthly costs?

Accepted Answer

The total monthly cost is separated into three main cost categories -
 
1.  Infrastructure Cost.
 
2.  Monthly Maintenance & Operations of the network (M&O).
 
3.  Cost of Subscribed Services (Internet) - Paid directly to the ISP (like your Netflix account).

Question 6

What happens if I move?

Accepted Answer

The cost of the infrastructure stays with the home because it is an improvement to the home.  If you move, the new homeowner will be responsible for taking over any remaining infrastructure payments.

Question 7

How many options will I have for internet speeds?

Accepted Answer

Internet Service Providers will set their plan options.  However, the City anticipates that subscribers will have at least the following options -
 
> 20 x 20 Mbps
 
> 100 x 100 Mbps
 
> 250 x 250 Mbps
 
> 500 x 500 Mbps
 
> 1000 x 1000 Mbps (1 Gig)

Question 8

Can I sign up at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes - but if you want to finance the infrastructure costs over 20-25 years, you will need to sign-up in the beginning.

Question 9

What is included in the Maintenance & Operations expense?

Accepted Answer

Monitoring the network, making network repairs, taking calls from customers, and managing deployments to new customers.

Question 10

When will I know the exact cost of network connection to my home?

Accepted Answer

The City is currently in the process of assessing demand.  Once the City has a firm number of participants, it will be able to set a per premise costs of construction.  Actual assessment amount varies based on take-rate (the number of subscribers who participate).  Once our assessment is complete, the City will be able to derive a more accurate total per premise cost, as well as a monthly cost for those who opt to finance the infrastructure.

Question 11

What if I sign up and then decide I no longer want the service?

Accepted Answer

The cost of monthly Maintenance & Operations and Internet Services can be suspended by subcribers at any time.  Infrastructure expenses cannot be suspended until the debt is retired.

Question 12

How many Internet Service Providers will I have access to?

Accepted Answer

The network will be open to any and all ISPs who want to offer services over the network.  The City anticipates subscribers will have 3 – 5 ISPs to choose from at the launch of the network.

Question 13

What is the process for switching my Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Accepted Answer

To switch your ISP, you will simply access an online portal and with a click of the mouse unsubscribe from your current ISP.  You can then subscribe to another available provider in the same way.  Switching ISPs and service plans takes less than 60 seconds.

Question 14

Who do I call if there is a problem?

Accepted Answer

Customers will have the ability to contact the network operations group directly by phone and email.

Question 15

What does it mean that the network will be symmetrical?

Accepted Answer

This means your upload and download speeds will be identical and consistent.

Question 16

What does it mean that the network will not be shared?

Accepted Answer

Almost all ISP networks in the United States today are shared networks.  That means 32 or 64 homes have a shared connection and the demands put on the network by one home will affect the performance of the network on neighboring homes.  The model we are planning to deploy is not a shared model so your connection will be dedicated and far more reliable.

Question 17

Will the city be competing with the private sector?

Accepted Answer

The City seeks to increase competition among private sector service providers.  The role of the City will be to provide and maintain the fiber infrastructure, but the City will not offer services on the network completing with private sector companies.

questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Why will this network be good for residents and businesses in Quincy?

What will it cost to deploy the fiber optics to each home?

Will I be forced to participate in the network?

What happens when the fiber optic infrastructure is paid off?

What is the breakdown of the total monthly costs?

What happens if I move?

How many options will I have for internet speeds?

Can I sign up at any time?

What is included in the Maintenance & Operations expense?

When will I know the exact cost of network connection to my home?

What if I sign up and then decide I no longer want the service?

How many Internet Service Providers will I have access to?

What is the process for switching my Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Who do I call if there is a problem?

What does it mean that the network will be symmetrical?

What does it mean that the network will not be shared?

Will the city be competing with the private sector?

questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

Why will this network be good for residents and businesses in Quincy?

What will it cost to deploy the fiber optics to each home?

Will I be forced to participate in the network?

What happens when the fiber optic infrastructure is paid off?

What is the breakdown of the total monthly costs?

What happens if I move?

How many options will I have for internet speeds?

Can I sign up at any time?

What is included in the Maintenance &amp; Operations expense?

When will I know the exact cost of network connection to my home?

What if I sign up and then decide I no longer want the service?

How many Internet Service Providers will I have access to?

What is the process for switching my Internet Service Provider (ISP)?

Who do I call if there is a problem?

What does it mean that the network will be symmetrical?

What does it mean that the network will not be shared?

Will the city be competing with the private sector?

What is included in the Maintenance & Operations expense?