Franconia Township Fiber Broadband
Project FAQ
Q: What is this project for?
A: This past January 2019, a group of Franconia citizen pioneers was formed to put in motion
the process to bring a 21st century fiber optic network to rural Franconia Township. Taking
advantage of state-wide grants funding up to 45% of the infrastructure. Our 21st century
pioneers are attempting to blaze a trail to provide reliable affordable internet with speeds up to
1000 up/1000 down, television and telephone services to all residents of Franconia Township.
Q: What company is offering to provide this upgraded service?
A: CTC (Consolidated Telephone Company) a Minnesota based co-op. They are based in
Brainerd, MN and have been around since May 19th, 1950.
Q: What is the cost of this project?
A: The estimated project cost is $3.3 million.
Q: How is this getting paid for?
A: This project is at zero cost to Franconia Township as a government. This is a grass roots
effort being led by citizens of Franconia Township. There are three funding pieces for this
project. Potential state grant funding, some form of tax funding TBD, and CTC is investing as
well.
Q: What services will CTC offer with this upgraded fiber network?
A: High speed internet up to 1000Mbits Up/1000Mbits Down, Digital TV and Telephone
Q: What is the monthly cost for internet service through CTC?
A: Prices are not set, but currently they are offering 100Mbits UP/100Mbits Down for $50 a
month. Faster and bigger packages are available as well.
Q: When is the project scheduled to start?
A: If all funding goes through this year then CTC will start construction Spring of 2020 and be
complete by the Fall of 2020.
Q: Will this fiber network bring me any other benefit other than the three services offered?
A: Yes, besides CTC competitive pricing model residents can expect up to a 3.5% increase in
home value for having fiber to the door.
Q: This project sounds exciting; how can I help or volunteer?
A: Please reach out to the Franconia Township Communications Committee
info@franconiatownship.net.
8/18/19
Hello, Neighbors!
Some great questions from a resident prompted the following Q and A session. I'll share the conversation here for others to understand better as well!
Resident question:
Do you have any information on the installation costs each individual will face? My experience has been this goes largely unaddressed until it is too late.
FTCC answer:
Fiber to the home for an Average Residential Homestead will cost $164.27 per year for 15 years, with a max increase of $207.10/year total for that type of property assessment (assuming $300,000 Taxable Market Value is "average") Installation to the home will be free at any distance if a service contract is requested before the end of the construction period.
Answer from Joe at CTC:
CTC will not charge an installation cost for the construction or in home installation for a township property so long as they subscribe during our construction period when crews are working in the area. We do not know that timeline yet but it will be clearly communicated to all in 2020 if the project receives grant funding.
Resident question:
Your ROI is enticing but I suspect for the average 5acre residential home owner, this will get skewed rather dramatically. Given the minimum 5acre lot size of the area, I would think my 500’ driveway would be a rather common scenario. I think it is important that CTC disclose up front some representative installation cost estimates.
FTCC answer:
If you sign up for a service contract before the end of the construction period, there is ZERO cost for installation, at any distance from the road. If someone signs up AFTER the construction is finished, they will get 400' for free from the road to the home and a per foot charge for any distance beyond that.
Answer from Joe @ CTC:
Correct, no installation or construction charges. The only clarification is the 400’ number can change as our construction costs change but Franconia properties will be treated the same as all other CTC members in any area.
Resident:
Something in the form of-
1) basic/universal activation fee for all new accounts.
FTCC:
I don't know the answer to this one as it has not been approached previously. I'll check with CTC.
CTC:
We do not have such a fee currently.
Resident:
2) additional installation charges where modem location cannot be adjacent to building penetration.
FTCC:
Another question for CTC.
CTC:
Typically this is $0 however there are many scenarios that could lead to a charge which you would be notified of prior to any work being completed. If you want a run of Cat5 or 6 from your home to a detached building for a 2nd wireless router we would charge the labor to install to the detached building for example. The overwhelming majority of homes do not incur any charges.
Resident:
3) typical run in installation charges for 100’, 500’ and 1000’ setbacks.
CTC:
$0 so long as scheduled during construction. After this time period it would fall into the reply above.
CTC’s goal is to remove as many barriers as possible to help as many people connect thus we try really hard to not have install costs, construction costs or any hidden fees. Our current practice of installation is a bit different than many are used to and it requires a bit more involvement by a property owner but it typically creates a much more favorable end experience. We meet with a property owner or their assigned contact twice. Our first trip we will review the inside of the home and look for good locations for a building penetration from the inside. We then stake (plan) the drop (fiber from road to home). We will have you show us the location of private electric lines, underground sprinkler, dog fencing, septics etc…We will stake the drop to a mutually agreed upon location on the side of your house that is conducive to electrical bonding and from the inside makes the most sense (often a mechanical or utility area but doesn’t need to be). We’ll then make the building penetration and install a LB which we will make weather tight on both ends. A few days later our contractor will install the fiber drop from the road to the home and a few days after that we will return and meet with you to complete the installation (install and turn-up services). The initial home visit is designed to eliminate damage to private facilities and review any out of the ordinary work that may be necessary during the time of installation – again, this is rare but always better to know up front.
Project FAQ
Q: What is this project for?
A: This past January 2019, a group of Franconia citizen pioneers was formed to put in motion
the process to bring a 21st century fiber optic network to rural Franconia Township. Taking
advantage of state-wide grants funding up to 45% of the infrastructure. Our 21st century
pioneers are attempting to blaze a trail to provide reliable affordable internet with speeds up to
1000 up/1000 down, television and telephone services to all residents of Franconia Township.
Q: What company is offering to provide this upgraded service?
A: CTC (Consolidated Telephone Company) a Minnesota based co-op. They are based in
Brainerd, MN and have been around since May 19th, 1950.
Q: What is the cost of this project?
A: The estimated project cost is $3.3 million.
Q: How is this getting paid for?
A: This project is at zero cost to Franconia Township as a government. This is a grass roots
effort being led by citizens of Franconia Township. There are three funding pieces for this
project. Potential state grant funding, some form of tax funding TBD, and CTC is investing as
well.
Q: What services will CTC offer with this upgraded fiber network?
A: High speed internet up to 1000Mbits Up/1000Mbits Down, Digital TV and Telephone
Q: What is the monthly cost for internet service through CTC?
A: Prices are not set, but currently they are offering 100Mbits UP/100Mbits Down for $50 a
month. Faster and bigger packages are available as well.
Q: When is the project scheduled to start?
A: If all funding goes through this year then CTC will start construction Spring of 2020 and be
complete by the Fall of 2020.
Q: Will this fiber network bring me any other benefit other than the three services offered?
A: Yes, besides CTC competitive pricing model residents can expect up to a 3.5% increase in
home value for having fiber to the door.
Q: This project sounds exciting; how can I help or volunteer?
A: Please reach out to the Franconia Township Communications Committee
info@franconiatownship.net.
8/18/19
Hello, Neighbors!
Some great questions from a resident prompted the following Q and A session. I'll share the conversation here for others to understand better as well!
Resident question:
Do you have any information on the installation costs each individual will face? My experience has been this goes largely unaddressed until it is too late.
FTCC answer:
Fiber to the home for an Average Residential Homestead will cost $164.27 per year for 15 years, with a max increase of $207.10/year total for that type of property assessment (assuming $300,000 Taxable Market Value is "average") Installation to the home will be free at any distance if a service contract is requested before the end of the construction period.
Answer from Joe at CTC:
CTC will not charge an installation cost for the construction or in home installation for a township property so long as they subscribe during our construction period when crews are working in the area. We do not know that timeline yet but it will be clearly communicated to all in 2020 if the project receives grant funding.
Resident question:
Your ROI is enticing but I suspect for the average 5acre residential home owner, this will get skewed rather dramatically. Given the minimum 5acre lot size of the area, I would think my 500’ driveway would be a rather common scenario. I think it is important that CTC disclose up front some representative installation cost estimates.
FTCC answer:
If you sign up for a service contract before the end of the construction period, there is ZERO cost for installation, at any distance from the road. If someone signs up AFTER the construction is finished, they will get 400' for free from the road to the home and a per foot charge for any distance beyond that.
Answer from Joe @ CTC:
Correct, no installation or construction charges. The only clarification is the 400’ number can change as our construction costs change but Franconia properties will be treated the same as all other CTC members in any area.
Resident:
Something in the form of-
1) basic/universal activation fee for all new accounts.
FTCC:
I don't know the answer to this one as it has not been approached previously. I'll check with CTC.
CTC:
We do not have such a fee currently.
Resident:
2) additional installation charges where modem location cannot be adjacent to building penetration.
FTCC:
Another question for CTC.
CTC:
Typically this is $0 however there are many scenarios that could lead to a charge which you would be notified of prior to any work being completed. If you want a run of Cat5 or 6 from your home to a detached building for a 2nd wireless router we would charge the labor to install to the detached building for example. The overwhelming majority of homes do not incur any charges.
Resident:
3) typical run in installation charges for 100’, 500’ and 1000’ setbacks.
CTC:
$0 so long as scheduled during construction. After this time period it would fall into the reply above.
CTC’s goal is to remove as many barriers as possible to help as many people connect thus we try really hard to not have install costs, construction costs or any hidden fees. Our current practice of installation is a bit different than many are used to and it requires a bit more involvement by a property owner but it typically creates a much more favorable end experience. We meet with a property owner or their assigned contact twice. Our first trip we will review the inside of the home and look for good locations for a building penetration from the inside. We then stake (plan) the drop (fiber from road to home). We will have you show us the location of private electric lines, underground sprinkler, dog fencing, septics etc…We will stake the drop to a mutually agreed upon location on the side of your house that is conducive to electrical bonding and from the inside makes the most sense (often a mechanical or utility area but doesn’t need to be). We’ll then make the building penetration and install a LB which we will make weather tight on both ends. A few days later our contractor will install the fiber drop from the road to the home and a few days after that we will return and meet with you to complete the installation (install and turn-up services). The initial home visit is designed to eliminate damage to private facilities and review any out of the ordinary work that may be necessary during the time of installation – again, this is rare but always better to know up front.