01/21/2017
This topic was shared mid-2016 by Tara, but I'm uncertain how many responded to it. Some of us have again recently investigated the possibility of getting the attention of a telecommunication company to install fiber optic capability in our neighborhood for Broadband, Phone, and TV packages, the information below was discovered. If we can get people to participate, I'll volunteer to go jump up and down on Socket's doorstep to see if we can't get their attention. We live in a growing quadrant of town, and with further development being spurred to the east of us with Battle High School and Elementary now in full swing, there are only going to be more rooftops wanting this service. Socket or someone like them is eventually going to be attracted to this section of town and to provide this service to our community.
We have confirmation that this formula worked in another subdivision known as Settler's Ridge in Columbia. Now the goal posts may have moved as to how many people we need to participate as more and more Columbians want and desire fiber connectivity, but here is what worked for them and enticed Socket to undertake the cost of bringing fiber capabilities to them:
1) Approximately 12 or so people notified Socket that they had an interest in purchasing or utilizing a Fiber internet connection. The easiest way to do this is probably through the link I'm going to post at the bottom of this post. I have filled it out for our household. It was relayed to me that a direct Tweet to Socket from 12 individuals got the job done. I'll do both, and probably make a phone call as well. I'd encourage you all to do the same.
2) After getting Socket's attention, approximately 80% of the neighborhood paid a $10 fee to solidify their interest in the product. I'll clarify this point with Socket if and when we hurdle the first obstacle of hopefully having nearly everyone at least on our page indicate that they have an interest of bringing fiber to our neighborhood. If you know other neighbors that do not participate on Facebook through this page, please let them know that we'd appreciate it if they would contact Socket through a phone call to consider Lake Shire Estates as a future expansion for their fiber network. Also, since we more or less connect to Dakota Ridge, please reach out to your friends in our neighboring subdivision and invite them to reach out to Socket as well.
3) It was reiterated to us that Socket then asked for at least 80% of the households to pay a $10 fee indicating that they did have more than just a passing interest in fiber connectivity. Our informant stated that this did not lock anyone into buying the service once installed, but it more or less was used as proof that the neighborhood/subdivision was serious and worthwhile for Socket to invest their limited funds and time to put our subdivision on a priority list to expand our fiber connectivity options. Whether or not this is still needed, I'm not sure. Again, after clearing the first hurdle, we can find out what else is needed/required and update everyone as to the next steps.
In case some are uncertain as to what I'm proposing we bring to the subdivision, fiber connectivity will open up the following to us:
a) Internet download (and upload) speeds from 100 mpbs to 1 gig, based on what you're willing to pay. In the age of widespread use of both streaming recorded and live programming (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sling.TV, Fox Sports Go, etc.), video gaming, and general high household use of WiFi connectivity for many various and sundry things, it is difficult for some of our current broadband options to keep up with the demand of a modern lifestyle and multiple users in a household. Current DSL options top out at 10 mpbs through Centurylink and I have not used Mediacom myself, but I believe they top out at 50-60 mpbs. The primary issues that come with cable internet connections, are during peak usage, you don't get the speed that you are being charged, because that is whenever everyone else is utilizing or drawing part of the available overall "supply" into their households, lowering speeds for everyone.
b) Bundled services that include, phone, internet, and TV packages all with one bill through Socket at very competitive prices.
c) Statistics, albeit they are taken from Socket's website, indicate that having fiber connectivity available to your house, increases the average sales price of your home by 0.8% to 1.0%. So, if your home is worth $100,000, then that is potentially an additional $1,000 to the value of your homes. $200,000, $2,000, and so on and so forth. Everyone here can do the math, but if we increase the value of every home in our neighborhood by 1%, then that is something I believe we can all get behind as it is more or less, "free money" at whatever point in time you sell your home, look to refinance, or setup a home equity loan.
Just to clarify, I do not work for Socket or have any affiliation with Socket. I do not monetarily benefit from this in any way other than I would like to have fiber connectivity available to me and my family at my home (which will personally lower the amount of money we spend on the combination of DirecTV and Centurylink by 67% of our current monthly expenditure for these two services--other residents may experience different level of savings based upon what they currently utilize and subscribe), and as a whole, the entire subdivision would have the ability to utilize fiber connectivity and upgrade our subdivisions overall appeal to future residents and potentially increase the value of all of our individual investments in the subdivision through our individual home ownership.
Again, the link is below. I'd encourage everyone to take the 60 seconds to click on the link, fill in your address and your name, and get the ball started. If you can post to this post after you complete the website petition and I can count that we have a fairly large number of applicants, I'll then attempt to get in front of Socket directly and see if we can't get something in the works.
Socket's phone number is 573-817-0000. Their headquarters is located in Columbia, MO.
The website is:
https://myaccount.socket.net/fiberhood/neighborhood.php
Thanks for your time, and hope everyone has a great weekend.
