Q: What kind of speeds could we expect from a fiber-to-the-home network?
A: Fiber optics is capable of providing amazing download and upload speeds. Using today's available technology, speeds of to 10 Gbps are easily achieved with a fiber network. And best of all, with a fiber network the download speeds and upload speeds would be the same, unlike copper networks where download speeds are a fraction of uploads. This becomes increasingly important as we move more and more data from our homes and businesses to the "cloud", such as security cameras, Smart Home devices, etc.
A: Fiber optics is capable of providing amazing download and upload speeds. Using today's available technology, speeds of to 10 Gbps are easily achieved with a fiber network. And best of all, with a fiber network the download speeds and upload speeds would be the same, unlike copper networks where download speeds are a fraction of uploads. This becomes increasingly important as we move more and more data from our homes and businesses to the "cloud", such as security cameras, Smart Home devices, etc.
Q: What are the options for fiber optics in Red Oak?
A: Several options will be explored during the evaluation process. Keep in mind that these are just options; no decisions have been made and no particular option is preferred at this time.
A: Several options will be explored during the evaluation process. Keep in mind that these are just options; no decisions have been made and no particular option is preferred at this time.
- PUBLIC NETWORK/PUBLIC PROVIDER: Red Oak builds a community-owned fiber network and establishes a new city department/utility to provide services. Iowa examples: Cedar Falls, Waverly, Lenox, Harlan. This would require a public referendum to establish a municipal telecommunications utility.
- PUBLIC NETWORK/PRIVATE PROVIDER: Red Oak builds a publicly-owned fiber network and "hires" another company to provide services to homes and businesses. Iowa examples: Mapleton, Adair. This would also require a referendum.
- PRIVATE NETWORK/PRIVATE PROVIDER: Red Oak uses the information gathered during the pre-feasibility study and other efforts to attract a new company to build its own fiber network to serve homes and businesses. Farmers Mutual Telephone of Stanton already offers fiber optic service to some businesses in Red Oak and has expressed an interest in expanding their service areas if there is sufficient demand and financing options can be identified. Other Iowa examples of private providers offering fiber optic service include Davenport, Bettendorf, Iowa City, Dubuque, and numerous communities and rural areas served by independent cooperatives and mutuals.
- INCUMBENT UPGRADE: Existing providers in Red Oak make a firm commitment to build fiber to homes and businesses on a reasonable timeline
Q: One of the options is a community-owned telecommunications utility. How would this work?
A: The first step would be voter approval of a referendum in Red Oak to establish a municipal telecommunications utility. If the referendum passes, the City would then need to conduct a detailed study to find out how much it would cost, how it could be financed, and whether it is financially self-sustaining. Then and only then could the City of Red Oak build a fiber optic network and operate it as a city utility. The network would be paid for with user fees from residents who subscribe to internet, cable TV, or phone service. People who choose another provider will not pay for the network.
A: The first step would be voter approval of a referendum in Red Oak to establish a municipal telecommunications utility. If the referendum passes, the City would then need to conduct a detailed study to find out how much it would cost, how it could be financed, and whether it is financially self-sustaining. Then and only then could the City of Red Oak build a fiber optic network and operate it as a city utility. The network would be paid for with user fees from residents who subscribe to internet, cable TV, or phone service. People who choose another provider will not pay for the network.
Q: What other towns in Iowa have built municipal telecommunications utilities?
A: Quite a few! As the map shows, over two dozen Iowa communities have invested in their own broadband networks. Some of these networks were built as early as the 1990's and many of those are currently being rebuilt to fiber-to-the-home.
In addition to the cities that have already built networks, Vinton and Adair are building networks in 2019 and Pella is expecting to build one in 2020. In each case, these communities realize that having reliable, fast, affordable broadband service is vital to their future and worth the investment of effort, time, and money to achieve better broadband for their citizens.
A: Quite a few! As the map shows, over two dozen Iowa communities have invested in their own broadband networks. Some of these networks were built as early as the 1990's and many of those are currently being rebuilt to fiber-to-the-home.
In addition to the cities that have already built networks, Vinton and Adair are building networks in 2019 and Pella is expecting to build one in 2020. In each case, these communities realize that having reliable, fast, affordable broadband service is vital to their future and worth the investment of effort, time, and money to achieve better broadband for their citizens.
Q: What other companies have fiber optic networks in Iowa?
A: Most of the fiber optic networks in Iowa are NOT municipally-owned. The vast majority are operated by small, independent telephone companies such as Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton and dozens of others. These small, community-focused providers have invested in their networks to upgrade them to all-fiber to create the best possible experience for their customers.
Private companies such as ImOn Communications (based in Cedar Rapids), ALLO Communications (based in Nebraska), and MetroNet Fiber (based in Indiana) are also building fiber networks in some cities and may be interested in providing service in Red Oak if sufficient demand exists. One of the goals of the pre-feasibility study is to help identify demand and possibly attract one of these providers to Red Oak.
There are limited areas where incumbent telephone companies such as CenturyLink have built fiber-to-the-home, but these upgrades are largely limited to new developments in larger metro areas.
A: Most of the fiber optic networks in Iowa are NOT municipally-owned. The vast majority are operated by small, independent telephone companies such as Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Stanton and dozens of others. These small, community-focused providers have invested in their networks to upgrade them to all-fiber to create the best possible experience for their customers.
Private companies such as ImOn Communications (based in Cedar Rapids), ALLO Communications (based in Nebraska), and MetroNet Fiber (based in Indiana) are also building fiber networks in some cities and may be interested in providing service in Red Oak if sufficient demand exists. One of the goals of the pre-feasibility study is to help identify demand and possibly attract one of these providers to Red Oak.
There are limited areas where incumbent telephone companies such as CenturyLink have built fiber-to-the-home, but these upgrades are largely limited to new developments in larger metro areas.
Q: What about 5G?
A: 5G wireless is coming. The big question is WHEN it will arrive and what it will best be used for. There are two important things to keep in mind about 5G that most people are not aware of:
A: 5G wireless is coming. The big question is WHEN it will arrive and what it will best be used for. There are two important things to keep in mind about 5G that most people are not aware of:
- 5G will require a direct line-of-site between the tower/radio and your device. It is NOT designed to provide service inside of buildings without an external antenna and internal radio repeaters. 5G will be a great mobile solution but not a great solution for home or business internet access.
- 5G requires A LOT of fiber! When fully deployed (likely several years away), 5G will require small "cells" every 300-500', and each of these cells will require a fiber connection. If a fiber network is installed to provide services to homes and businesses, it can also be used to serve these 5G cells.
Q: We have a provider with gigabit internet today. What do we need with another provider?
A: Having another provider in Red Oak gives consumers a CHOICE. Also, a new provider, whether public or private, would build fiber options all the way to the home or business. These all-fiber networks have higher capacity and reliability than networks that rely on copper to the home. Also, fiber networks allow upload speeds to match download speeds. Upload speeds are becoming increasingly important.
A: Having another provider in Red Oak gives consumers a CHOICE. Also, a new provider, whether public or private, would build fiber options all the way to the home or business. These all-fiber networks have higher capacity and reliability than networks that rely on copper to the home. Also, fiber networks allow upload speeds to match download speeds. Upload speeds are becoming increasingly important.
Q: How quickly could this become outdated (too slow) and what are the existing options to update it in the future?
A: It is highly unlikely that fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) technology will be come obsolete anytime in the forseeable future. Fiber provides almost unlimited capacity and unparalleled reliability. Other technologies, such as wireless, have significant technological challenges. The fiber optic cables themselves have a useful life of 20 years or more. Electronics and software upgrades will be necessary over time, but the core infrastructure itself - fiber - will not need to be changed.
A: It is highly unlikely that fiber-to-the-premise (FTTP) technology will be come obsolete anytime in the forseeable future. Fiber provides almost unlimited capacity and unparalleled reliability. Other technologies, such as wireless, have significant technological challenges. The fiber optic cables themselves have a useful life of 20 years or more. Electronics and software upgrades will be necessary over time, but the core infrastructure itself - fiber - will not need to be changed.
Q: How much would services cost?
A: While it's early in the process to determine actual prices, a new provider will need to provide excellent service for a competitive price.
A: While it's early in the process to determine actual prices, a new provider will need to provide excellent service for a competitive price.