The Alfordlink Commission continues to provide updates, to help residents understand issues related to the rollout of AlfordLink. In this instance, we outline information regarding making the initial connection to AlfordLink.
HOW WILL MY HOUSE BE CONNECTED TO ALFORDLINK?
As the installation and testing of the so-called “distribution network” on poles along the Alford roadways is progressing toward completion, the next step is to make a connection to each house, either aerial (overhead) or underground (through buried conduits). These service drops will then be run inside the house to a router. The Alfordlink Commission has contracted with Sertex to install the service drops.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST FOR MY SERVICE DROP?
AlfordLink will not assess any connection fees or charges for equipment or fiber drop cable material costs. Subscribers may bear a portion of the labor costs, though AlfordLink will provide a substantial subsidy for labor costs related to the outside drop ($200) and a standard inside the home installation ($375). The result is that all aerial-only drops will be free of charge to Alford homeowners and the $200 credit will be applied toward labor costs for the underground portion Service Drops.
That said, subscribers may be responsible for labor costs above the $200 labor credit. To help determine your possible connection costs, below are the actual unit labor costs for fiber drop installation services (to be offset by the $200 labor credit):
Description Unit Cost Per Unit
Service Drop Fixed Each $77.25
Aerial Path Installation (Existing poles) $ 0.81 Per Foot
Underground Installation (New conduit): $ 4.75 Per Foot
Underground Installation (Existing usable conduit): $ 0.78 Per Foot
• Please note: If an existing underground conduit is found to be damaged or otherwise unusable during the installation process, a $300 "failed attempt" charge may be incurred. Repair options and costs will be estimated and discussed with the customer prior to proceeding. The Alfordlink Commission recommends that homeowners who are unsure about the condition of their existing underground conduit have an electrician evaluate their situation to avoid such “failed attempt” charges. The optimal situation is for the electrician to verify the conduit is large enough and clear and install a pull line if practical. Premises with direct buried power and telephone utility cables (no conduits) will need a new underground installation.
•Also Please be advised that subscribers who sign up after the project has been completed will bear higher costs because some or all of the credits being offered now will be unavailable and contractor mobilization costs will also apply.
WHAT ABOUT RUNNING THE SERVICE DROP INTO THE HOME?
The service drop takes the fiber to the outside of the house, leaving only the inside the house installation to complete the connection to the Internet.
WHAT IS A “STANDARD INSIDE THE HOME INSTALLATION”?
After installing the service drop, Sertex will connect it to a box (Network Interface Device, or NID) fastened on the outside of the house. In turn, the NID will be connected by an optical jumper cable to a box (Optical Network Terminal, or ONT) installed inside the house. Finally, Sertex will install a data cable from the ONT to the wireless router, which would typically be placed in a central location, to distribute the signal to the various devices in the home.
The homeowner will incur no charges for this standard home installation portion of the connection, as long as the router is located either in the basement or on the first floor of the house and the run from the ONT to the router is no longer than 50 feet.
Links to additional details and information are provided below:
Sign-up for Service Drop / AlfordLink Internet Service: AlfordLink.com
Alford MLP Service Drop Policy: http://www.alfordmamlp.com/service-drop-policy-access-agreement/
AlfordLink Internet /VOIP and Pricing: https://www.whipcityfiber.com/alford/#pricing
Frequently Asked Questions: https://www.whipcityfiber.com/pages/general/faq/