Rita AlexanderCampaign Owner
Bill, you are right that we will provide high-speed internet access to our members in phases. We are using a member-driven process, so we will build first to those zones that hit their participation goals first (Medina, Dyer and Three Way). We also will be taking advantage of any grants that we can secure for members in our area. We submitted three Tennessee Broadband Grant applications and were awarded one. Phase 1 also will include the area covered by the Tennessee Broadband Grant (the Tiptonville, Ridgely and Samburg zones). So all total, we will be working in six zones to start.
At the advice of our consultants (who have done the same kind of fiber buildout for their electric cooperative members) we will begin with about 550 miles. We hope to have most of the Phase 1 construction completed by the end of the year and start engineering on the next phase prior to completing Phase 1. Of course, we hope that we can complete the work faster, but we don’t want to over-promise and under-deliver. Our consultants also have told us that after this initial phase, we should be able to build out about 1,000 miles each year. We have a total of about 3,000 miles of line to build.
We understand that you want and need this service as quickly as possible, but we ask you and our other Gibson Connect registrants to be patient. It is quite an undertaking to build fiber access to all of our eligible members, but that is what we plan to do. While we’d like to do it much more quickly, it will likely require several years.
We are asking our members to tell their friends, family and neighbors about Gibson Connect, but we also are encouraging signups by communicating regularly through our monthly member publications (The Tennessee Magazine and Kentucky Living); press releases; social media for both Gibson Connect and Gibson EMC (Facebook and Twitter); our Gibson EMC website, and bill messages. More sparingly (because of cost), we are using paid ads (radio and newspaper) and bill inserts. Additionally, we’re using fliers, counter stands, and banners in our member service centers. With the help of our Zone Champions we are using yard signs and door hangers. As zones near their participation goals, we are hosting registration events.
Thank you for your input and your support, Bill. Please continue to help us spread the word.
Rita AlexanderCampaign Owner
Sure, Mark. Maury City is at 30% now. 283 more registrations are needed to meet its participation goal. We really appreciate your support!
Bill Dycus
I understand from your 2/21 post the Medina, Dyer and Three Way will take a year or more to complete "Phase 1" consisting of designing, engineering and constructing 500 miles of fiber optic line. If phase 1 is for design, engineering and construction, is there a "Phase 2, Phase 3 and so on before a customer has internet service in their home?
So, if it is going to take "a year or more" to complete 500 miles of line in those three zones, can we assume it will take 10 years or more to complete construction of all 27 zones. At my age I probably don't that many years left to wait on my zone to be completed. I'm sure others are as concerned as I am as to how long this entire project will take to complete.
Comments?????
Also, I stopped by the Trenton office recently to pick up some signs since I noticed NO SIGNS at all in the Newbern zone. Most everyone I talk to doesn't even know Gibson Connect exists. I think you're depending too much on word of mouth for your advertising.
Harris Crocker
Please bring up the Three Way at the board meeting tonight. I want the internet and tv services you know by the time you get the material ordered and in you will have the 18 members needed.
John Moore
The Three Way Zone is almost complete. I have a few questions. After we reach our goal, how long would you estimate for the construction to run? Do you have any speed tests yet, or even an estimated guess for true speed and ping time? Where will you typically install the ONT? The outside of the house? Will it be installed into a room of our choice? Thank you for your time, and for running this great program. I was seriously getting worried. Every ISP in Jackson, even satellite, said that they couldn't provide internet to my home. Thank you again!
Rita AlexanderCampaign Owner
Charles, we are talking to several providers now and will let you know as soon as we have a final decision. Please watch for updates on this site and on our social media. Thank you for your interest and support!
David Hagan
My home is approximately 1/2 mile from anyone else. I have been told by Spectrum that it would cost too much to run cable to my house. Is this going to be the same case with Gibson Connect?
Glenn Snow
How long is this sign-up going to continue - waiting for everyone to get to some specified goal? I'm patient but am considering my options for a faster internet with another ISP.
Tnx
Rita AlexanderCampaign Owner
Terry, we will not have a modem, but we will have an optical network terminal (ONT). It will provide WiFi for the home and will have Ethernet ports which can be used to connect to your own WiFi router (if you choose to use your own) or Ethernet capable devices such as a TV. If you take telephone service from Gibson Connect, there is a telephone jack that provides the ability for you to connect to your home telephone wiring. We are still evaluating TV and video options. We hope to have more information we can share on this soon.
Thomas Maddox
Terry, if I am not mistaken, I don,t think a modem is needed since the fiber will be converted to copper, or CAT6. I think that is what she means by a POTS line. If that is the case then it should be able to terminate to your router just fine.
Terry Tucker
Thanks for the information Rita. Has your team decided on what Brand/Model the modem will be. I want to use my existing gigabit router and network switches.
Also is TV programming still being discussed? Or is TV programming a long term goal?
Rita AlexanderCampaign Owner
Hopefully the warmer temps will lead to some new activity. Please continue to share our Facebook posts and encourage everyone you know to register. Thank you for all you are doing to support Gibson Connect!
Jenni RachelsCampaign Owner
Terry, thank you for your questions. You are correct that we do already have fiber connecting all of our substations and that it will speed the overall process since the “backbone” is already complete. We cannot give an exact time-frame for Medina receiving service, but engineering will begin soon. If all things go as planned, we hope to begin connecting our first customers as early as June. Construction will start at the substation and work out. We are not using a modem but an ONT which means that fiber will run all the way into the home and terminate on that device. Generally the fiber will follow the electric lines. If you have an underground service, we will bury the fiber up to your home. The ONT has a POTS line that can connect into your home phone wiring. The POTS line should act like your existing phone service, therefore security systems should work. In most cases fax lines will work, too, however we have not completed our testing on fax lines. Have a great weekend!
Terry Tucker
It is has been said the substations already have the fiber plant, if so will this make the service quicker to get going?
Any rough estimates of the timeline for Medina? Spring/summer/fall ?
What type of modem will you use? Will fiber be plowed in to homes with underground services?
How will home phones work? Will security systems be able to get a dial tone? Fax line compatible?
Adam Smallwood
Thomas, I have posted signs in Gadsden, posted a sign on the bank window in Gadsden, posted on social media, and told everyone I know. Hopefully we can get there quick. I am open to any suggestions on how we can help our zone meet its goal. Advice is definitely welcome!!
Thomas Shelton
We seem to be "stuck". What can we do to get the 112 more to sign up? I talk to everyone I see, but not everyone lives in the Gadsden zone. We need to get the ball rolling again to make this happen. Brand X is way to slow and undependable.
Thanks
Thomas
Jeff Walters
With only 43 more signups needed the Medina Zone is in the home stretch. Great job guys and gals...let’s push hard the next week or so and get it done!!!!!
3:01PM February 26, 2018
Rita Alexander Campaign Owner
Bill, you are right that we will provide high-speed internet access to our members in phases. We are using a member-driven process, so we will build first to those zones that hit their participation goals first (Medina, Dyer and Three Way). We also will be taking advantage of any grants that we can secure for members in our area. We submitted three Tennessee Broadband Grant applications and were awarded one. Phase 1 also will include the area covered by the Tennessee Broadband Grant (the Tiptonville, Ridgely and Samburg zones). So all total, we will be working in six zones to start. At the advice of our consultants (who have done the same kind of fiber buildout for their electric cooperative members) we will begin with about 550 miles. We hope to have most of the Phase 1 construction completed by the end of the year and start engineering on the next phase prior to completing Phase 1. Of course, we hope that we can complete the work faster, but we don’t want to over-promise and under-deliver. Our consultants also have told us that after this initial phase, we should be able to build out about 1,000 miles each year. We have a total of about 3,000 miles of line to build. We understand that you want and need this service as quickly as possible, but we ask you and our other Gibson Connect registrants to be patient. It is quite an undertaking to build fiber access to all of our eligible members, but that is what we plan to do. While we’d like to do it much more quickly, it will likely require several years. We are asking our members to tell their friends, family and neighbors about Gibson Connect, but we also are encouraging signups by communicating regularly through our monthly member publications (The Tennessee Magazine and Kentucky Living); press releases; social media for both Gibson Connect and Gibson EMC (Facebook and Twitter); our Gibson EMC website, and bill messages. More sparingly (because of cost), we are using paid ads (radio and newspaper) and bill inserts. Additionally, we’re using fliers, counter stands, and banners in our member service centers. With the help of our Zone Champions we are using yard signs and door hangers. As zones near their participation goals, we are hosting registration events. Thank you for your input and your support, Bill. Please continue to help us spread the word.
9:49PM February 24, 2018
Rita Alexander Campaign Owner
Sure, Mark. Maury City is at 30% now. 283 more registrations are needed to meet its participation goal. We really appreciate your support!
9:21PM February 24, 2018
Mark Moore
Can we get an updated count for the Maury City zone please? I know for a fact there have been at least 4 more homes registered.
5:21PM February 24, 2018
Bill Dycus
I understand from your 2/21 post the Medina, Dyer and Three Way will take a year or more to complete "Phase 1" consisting of designing, engineering and constructing 500 miles of fiber optic line. If phase 1 is for design, engineering and construction, is there a "Phase 2, Phase 3 and so on before a customer has internet service in their home? So, if it is going to take "a year or more" to complete 500 miles of line in those three zones, can we assume it will take 10 years or more to complete construction of all 27 zones. At my age I probably don't that many years left to wait on my zone to be completed. I'm sure others are as concerned as I am as to how long this entire project will take to complete. Comments????? Also, I stopped by the Trenton office recently to pick up some signs since I noticed NO SIGNS at all in the Newbern zone. Most everyone I talk to doesn't even know Gibson Connect exists. I think you're depending too much on word of mouth for your advertising.
8:58AM February 21, 2018
Derek Campbell
Is all of the Ridgely zone covered under the "most of Lake Co" part of the grant?
3:33PM February 19, 2018
Harris Crocker
Please bring up the Three Way at the board meeting tonight. I want the internet and tv services you know by the time you get the material ordered and in you will have the 18 members needed.
10:20AM February 19, 2018
Amen Rogers
Please get to mason Hall i was a wisper employee. If you need help just ask I love networking
9:32AM February 19, 2018
John Moore
The Three Way Zone is almost complete. I have a few questions. After we reach our goal, how long would you estimate for the construction to run? Do you have any speed tests yet, or even an estimated guess for true speed and ping time? Where will you typically install the ONT? The outside of the house? Will it be installed into a room of our choice? Thank you for your time, and for running this great program. I was seriously getting worried. Every ISP in Jackson, even satellite, said that they couldn't provide internet to my home. Thank you again!
6:20PM February 16, 2018
Rita Alexander Campaign Owner
Charles, we are talking to several providers now and will let you know as soon as we have a final decision. Please watch for updates on this site and on our social media. Thank you for your interest and support!
6:06PM February 16, 2018
Charles Halford
are you going to have TV cable also, am interested in any package deal you may have.
8:13AM February 16, 2018
Jenni Rachels Campaign Owner
David, we will bring access to high-speed, fiber-based internet to all members in a zone regardless of how rural.
9:21PM February 15, 2018
David Hagan
My home is approximately 1/2 mile from anyone else. I have been told by Spectrum that it would cost too much to run cable to my house. Is this going to be the same case with Gibson Connect?
10:24AM February 05, 2018
Glenn Snow
How long is this sign-up going to continue - waiting for everyone to get to some specified goal? I'm patient but am considering my options for a faster internet with another ISP. Tnx
6:33PM February 01, 2018
Marissa Brashear
Come on Gibson South! I want to work from home! 😃
1:44PM January 25, 2018
Rita Alexander Campaign Owner
Terry, we will not have a modem, but we will have an optical network terminal (ONT). It will provide WiFi for the home and will have Ethernet ports which can be used to connect to your own WiFi router (if you choose to use your own) or Ethernet capable devices such as a TV. If you take telephone service from Gibson Connect, there is a telephone jack that provides the ability for you to connect to your home telephone wiring. We are still evaluating TV and video options. We hope to have more information we can share on this soon.
5:07PM January 24, 2018
Thomas Maddox
Terry, if I am not mistaken, I don,t think a modem is needed since the fiber will be converted to copper, or CAT6. I think that is what she means by a POTS line. If that is the case then it should be able to terminate to your router just fine.
1:08PM January 24, 2018
Terry Tucker
Thanks for the information Rita. Has your team decided on what Brand/Model the modem will be. I want to use my existing gigabit router and network switches. Also is TV programming still being discussed? Or is TV programming a long term goal?
8:11PM January 19, 2018
Rita Alexander Campaign Owner
Hopefully the warmer temps will lead to some new activity. Please continue to share our Facebook posts and encourage everyone you know to register. Thank you for all you are doing to support Gibson Connect!
7:48PM January 19, 2018
Thomas Shelton
Have all the other zones hit a brick wall. There does not appear to have any movement since Medina reached its goal
4:57PM January 19, 2018
Jenni Rachels Campaign Owner
Terry, thank you for your questions. You are correct that we do already have fiber connecting all of our substations and that it will speed the overall process since the “backbone” is already complete. We cannot give an exact time-frame for Medina receiving service, but engineering will begin soon. If all things go as planned, we hope to begin connecting our first customers as early as June. Construction will start at the substation and work out. We are not using a modem but an ONT which means that fiber will run all the way into the home and terminate on that device. Generally the fiber will follow the electric lines. If you have an underground service, we will bury the fiber up to your home. The ONT has a POTS line that can connect into your home phone wiring. The POTS line should act like your existing phone service, therefore security systems should work. In most cases fax lines will work, too, however we have not completed our testing on fax lines. Have a great weekend!
8:07AM January 19, 2018
Terry Tucker
It is has been said the substations already have the fiber plant, if so will this make the service quicker to get going? Any rough estimates of the timeline for Medina? Spring/summer/fall ? What type of modem will you use? Will fiber be plowed in to homes with underground services? How will home phones work? Will security systems be able to get a dial tone? Fax line compatible?
6:37PM January 12, 2018
Adam Smallwood
Thomas, I have posted signs in Gadsden, posted a sign on the bank window in Gadsden, posted on social media, and told everyone I know. Hopefully we can get there quick. I am open to any suggestions on how we can help our zone meet its goal. Advice is definitely welcome!!
12:44PM January 12, 2018
Thomas Shelton
We seem to be "stuck". What can we do to get the 112 more to sign up? I talk to everyone I see, but not everyone lives in the Gadsden zone. We need to get the ball rolling again to make this happen. Brand X is way to slow and undependable. Thanks Thomas
5:34PM January 09, 2018
Jeff Walters
With only 43 more signups needed the Medina Zone is in the home stretch. Great job guys and gals...let’s push hard the next week or so and get it done!!!!!
2:16PM January 08, 2018
Jenni Rachels Campaign Owner
James, AT&T will not be involved in the services we offer to our members.