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Fiber optic technology delivers data as pulses of light through strands of glass, rather than electricity over copper cables. Because light travels extremely fast and isn’t affected by electrical interference, fiber connections provide a more stable, consistent experience with virtually no signal loss over distance. On our network, each customer has a dedicated fiber line running from their router directly to our active site. That means your connection isn’t shared with neighbors the way many cable systems are; your speeds stay consistent, even during peak usage times. Fiber is also symmetrical, meaning your upload and download speeds are the same. This is especially important for things like video calls, cloud backups, large file transfers, and remote work. Another major advantage is scalability. Once the fiber line is in place, it can handle far more capacity than most homes need today. Upgrading from 1 Gig to 10 Gig service in the future just requires a new optic and router; not replacing the fiber itself. This makes fiber a long-term investment that’s built to grow with demand.

Our Fixed Wireless internet service delivers high-speed connectivity using cellular technology - no buried cables required. It’s a flexible, reliable solution, especially in areas where fiber hasn’t reached yet. One of the biggest advantages is plug-and-play simplicity. Your router comes pre-configured and ready to go, so setup is quick and easy with minimal installation required. It’s designed to get you online fast without the need for construction or a site visit from a technician. Our fixed wireless service is built with customers in mind: no data caps, no throttling, and no hidden fees. What you see is what you get. There’s also no minimum contract, giving you the freedom to use the service on your terms. The router is included, so there’s no extra equipment to purchase. This network is also something truly unique. We built the nation’s first fixed wireless network of its kind from the ground up, creating a partnership with T-Mobile on behalf of our community. That collaboration didn’t just enable home internet, it also brought reliable cell phone coverage to areas of the islands that never had it before. The infrastructure of the network also supports radio communication for emergency responders, making garbled radio transmissions at critical moments a thing of the past. Partnering with T-Mobile also ensures that our network keeps pace with ever-evolving technology, getting consistent upgrades. Fixed Wireless is a modern, adaptable internet solution that expands access today while complementing future fiber expansion.

When we hear from fiber customers who are experiencing slower than expected speeds, there are a few main things we check (granted there's nothing wrong with the fiber line or router): 1.     Bandwidth: Different households have different bandwidth needs, based on how they use their internet. A household of one or two people who each have their laptop and phone, with a TV and a couple other devices around will be just fine with our base rate of 100Mbps. Working from home, gaming online, and streaming content on multiple devices simultaneously increase the demand on bandwidth and a higher rate plan is recommended. Think of it like lanes on a highway. A 2 lane highway can't support as much traffic as an 8 lane highway. 2.     Wi-Fi: The fiber optic router has built-in WiFi, but it can only cover about 800 to 1000 square feet, and it's a pretty basic radio. If your home is larger, or you have a lot of devices (think security cameras, smart lights, etc) a Mesh WiFi system of some kind is necessary to get the most out of your fiber optic connection. 3.     Device capability: Fiber can handle a lot, but it can't make a 15 year old computer go any faster than it's able to go. If you don't remember when you got a device, it's probably getting tired. 4.     Speed Testing: We guarantee our fiber rate plans will arrive at the router. This means that if you connect a capable computer to the router with a quality ethernet cable, you'll see your full rate plan on a speed test. Testing over WiFi, while multiple devices are connected/passing traffic, or using a low quality device to test will not show full rate plan on a speed test. We're happy to offer a no-cost temporary rate plan increase as a troubleshooting step to see if any slow-downs are due to bandwidth exhaustion. Our Managed Mesh system is a great tool for troubleshooting as well, since it gives detailed diagnostics on each de vice's connection quality, data use, and more, while simultaneously fixing any WiFi coverage issues in the home.

A single router can typically cover about 800–1000 square feet, depending on layout and construction. Beyond that, several factors weaken the signal: Walls, floors, and building materials absorb or block WiFi Distance from the router reduces speed and reliability Other electronics or nearby networks cause interference In larger homes, this leads to dead zones, buffering, and inconsistent speeds. Mesh WiFi solves this by placing nodes throughout the space, ensuring strong, consistent coverage everywhere—not just near the router. Your devices automatically connect to the strongest node as you move around, so you get seamless coverage without drop-offs or reconnecting. It’s essentially one network, everywhere in your home. Retail Mesh vs. Managed Mesh Solutions Retail Mesh (DIY Systems) Examples: Eero, Google Nest WiFi, Orbi Retail mesh systems are typically a one-time purchase and can work well, but you’re responsible for setup, placement, and troubleshooting. Performance really depends on how well the system is configured and where the nodes are placed. You'll have some upfront cost in the range of $200 - $500, but no monthly fees. A managed mesh solution, on the other hand, is designed to be hands-off. Your ISP helps ensure everything is set up correctly, can remotely monitor and troubleshoot issues, and keeps the system updated and optimized for your connection. It’s a more streamlined experience, with ongoing support to make sure your WiFi performs the way it should throughout your home. Bottom Line Small homes: A single router may be enough Larger homes: Mesh WiFi becomes essential for reliable coverage DIY vs Managed: DIY costs more money upfront, requires more effort and support is limited Managed solutions offer convenience, support, and better long-term performance If a customer is experiencing slow speeds in certain rooms—but everything looks good at the router WiFi coverage (not the internet connection itself) is usually the issue, and mesh is the fix.

When Rock Island started building our fiber network in 2015, we were laying fiber in San Juan County for the first time; think of it like the old days before OPALCO installed power infrastructure - it all had to be built, which takes time. Since embarking on this journey, we've installed about 800 miles of fiber - underground, overhead, and even on the sea floor. We serve almost 8000 of our neighbors around the archipelago, including Decatur, Blakely, Center, and Henry Island with gigabit fiber. We think that's pretty cool! If fiber isn't yet installed in your neighborhood, the first step is to click the orange "Connect Today" button on our homepage and fill out the web form. This sends your request directly to our engineering department, where we keep track of who's interested. If you have neighbors nearby, encouraging them to submit their interest as well is helpful. We often work with groups of homeowners on a cost sharing model. More on Fiberhoods HERE