Broadband Internet Frequently Asked Questions
Broadband Internet for The Town of Newbury
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the town pay for this?
The town of Newbury would take out a bond, and if you are interested in subscribing there will be a slight up charge known as a “recovery fee” to those subscribers. (Likely no more the $8-10 a month) With that upcharge the provider will pay back to the town for payment on the bond.
How can I help make this happen?
You can come and vote YES at the town meeting in March.
How much will the new service cost?
The cost will be lower than current rates and it is expected that a customer can jump up at least two tiers of service before there is a price increase over their current rate.
Am I required to buy into this service?
No. The choice to receive broadband services is up to you and not required.
Can I keep my current service?
Yes, and you do not need to change your service options if broadband arrives. Additionally, there is no change to current costs and if you are receiving service from another provider, you can continue to receive that service.
What costs will the town incur for this process?
The provider will pay for our legal fees associated with this process and the bond fee. There should not be any out-of-pocket expenses for the town.
What if the recovery fee starts to bring in more money than is needed to pay back the bond?
The provider reviews the recovery fee with the Newbury Select Board every other year. If they are projected to have excess funds, the provider lowers the recovery fee. Once the recovery fee is lowered it cannot be increased.
I heard other providers are providing installation for free and not requiring a bond. Why can’t we do that?
Newbury needs a solution that supports the whole town, For Example: Consolidated Communications (CCI) proposal did that for the town of Goshen. Other providers did not have timelines and roll out is at their discretion. • CCI has successfully built out the FTTP network in Chesterfield and its construction is nearly complete in Westmoreland (in less than one year). • The Town of Goshen will own the Town Funded Network facilities; CCI will have an exclusive right to operate them for the benefit of our residents for 20 years at contracted prices which will be fixed for 5 years. Afterwards, the Town may enter a contract with any other entity to operate the network. Other providers will own the FTTP network that they build, and their pricing is at their discretion.
Does choosing one provider for the town mean we cannot have other provider options?
No. If another provider brings service to town, that is allowed and encouraged. Competition is good.
Will this impact the value of my property?
Yes. This will add value to your property and depending on the speeds you are currently receiving that is expected to be as high as 3.3%. You do not need to be subscribing to the service for your property value to increase, the option simply needs to be available.