What is a Fiber-to-the-Home Connection?

A Fiber-to-the-Home connection (also known as FTTH) is the only technology with enough bandwidth to handle the growing need for residential consumer demands reliably and cost effectively. Fiber has virtually unlimited bandwidth coupled with a long reach, making it able to handle even the most future-forward Internet uses.

What's the cost?

For residential service, the cost for shared GPON is $55 per month, plus an equipment rental and monitoring fee of $15 per month. That's $70 per month. That’s it. No hidden fees. No taxes. Clients sign a 3 or 5-year contract (10% discount on 5-year contract).Customers are also responsible for the connection costs, which depend on how close/far you are to our network.

What is fiber optic internet?

Tiny strands of plastic or glass, about the width of a human hair, are bound together into cables and transmit coded signals in pulses of light. These cables, called fiber-optic cables, can give you the fastest internet service available in the world today. Other forms of internet, like DSL and cable internet service, transmit electrical information through copper lines—which can be fast under perfect conditions, but fiber-optic technology is way faster, more secure, more reliable.

What makes fiber optic internet so fast?

Your internet speed depends on how much data the infrastructure can handle. Fiber-optic internet lines transfer data using modulated light instead of electricity, which gives them much higher bandwidth capacity, since they are not bound by the physical limitations of electricity conducting through metal. Traditional copper wires used by DSL and cable internet were originally intended to transmit voice only, though, so they are limited in the amount of data they can handle.

How is fiber optic internet better than cable or DSL?

Fiber optic internet has several advantages over cable and DSL. Namely, fiber optic internet is the best choice for downloading and uploading information fast, efficiently and reliably.

  • Fiber is better for carrying information long distances. All electronic signals are negatively affected by long-distance travel, even light and electricity. The farther a signal has to travel, the more it degrades, and the weaker it will be when it reaches its destination. To maintain signal strength, copper cable links are limited to a distance of 328 feet or less. But fiber-optic cables can run up to almost 25 miles before they lose signal strength, which makes them a better and stronger option overall.
  • Fiber is not affected by electrical or radio interference. Although copper is a great medium for conducting electricity, it’s not a closed system, which means other electromagnetic signals or radio interference can negatively affect it. High levels of interference will reduce signal strength and risk cutting the signal entirely. Glass and plastic fiber-optic lines, on the other hand, are more insulated against outside interference, making their signal much more secure.
  • Fiber is less prone to damage and wear and tear. Fiber lines, despite their extremely small size, are much harder and more resistant than copper. Fiber lines can take between 100 to 200 pounds of pressure, but copper can withstand only around 25 pounds. Also, copper is a soft metal and conducts heat, which means that older systems are prone to damage from the environment (including impacts or fire hazards) and will break down over time.

Are there any shortcomings of fiber optic internet?

There is a lot about fiber optic internet that makes it the hands-down preferred choice for online access. However, there are some things to consider before a business or community can decide to invest in fiber.

  • Fiber optic internet has limited availability. As of December 2017, the federal government’s National Broadband comparison tool showed that fiber-optic lines are available to just over 30% of the population. This is much less than the 90% availability of both DSL and cable internet (though some speeds are not available in all areas).
  • New fiber optic lines require new infrastructure. One of the reasons that DSL and cable internet options are both so widely available is that they are able to use the existing copper wire infrastructure installed for phones and cable television. This way, customers do not have to wait for new network build-outs. Fiber-optic lines are much newer technology and so they require all-new infrastructure construction. Fiber internet companies will need to absorb the initial cost for fiber internet installation, which is a financial risk, so that explains the limited availability of fiber.

What is the OpenCape Network made of?

The OpenCape Network is constructed of state-of-the-art optical fibers instead of the traditional copper wire or coaxial cable. Optical fiber is a hair-thin piece of glass that is specially designed to transmit pulses of light. One small fiber can carry multiple signals at once and the signal does not degrade over long distances. Unlike coaxial cable, performance is not affected by interference or shared bandwidth.

The OpenCape Network provides high-speed access that runs at the speed of light. Every day the use of the internet for applications and services is increasing. As high-definition video, telemedicine, distance learning, telecommuting, and other applications continue to evolve, only fiber technology provides the bandwidth to carry the heavy data load we expect to see.

How reliable is the OpenCape Network?

Very! The OpenCape Network is up 99.99% of the time. On average, OpenCape customers are down less than one hour over the course of an entire year, and that is most often only for schedule maintenance.

Our outstanding level of reliability is why the largest businesses in the region and municipal departments (Hospitals, Schools, Police and Fire Departments) that require 24/7/365 reliable, redundant service connect and depend on our Network.

Will my service be better than what I have now?

OpenCape’s 100% Fiber Optic Network is capable of delivering reliable, redundant, and affordable services to businesses of all sizes without you feeling the impact of the summer tourism influx, population growth, or inclement weather. Be prepared for less frustration, super fast internet, and excellent, locally based customer service.

Does OpenCape provide VOIP services?

Yes. We utilize our third party partner, MegaNet Communications in Fall River, to provide VOIP for any of customers who need it. VOIP is billed as a separate charge directly from MegaNet.

Does OpenCape offer TV services?

No. We offer incredibly fast reliable internet, with which you can stream any of your preferred entertainment platforms (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu etc…).

What does "Cutting the Cord" mean?

Once you choose to unplug from traditional cable and dish network services and connect your home to OpenCape’s 100% Fiber Network, you will need to make some choices about how best to stream your favorite shows, sports and music to your home devices based on your own preferences and viewing habits.

There are many ways to craft your own television programming alternatives with streaming services and connection devices. OpenCape Network uses technology that can provide 1 Gigabyte speeds - which is super fast, (at times - if everyone was on it at the same time - it might may go down to 600 Mbps which is very fast).

So whether you use Apple TV, Roku or other devices to stream your Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and music services, you would be able to count on your internet being fast, reliable and consistent. AND - less expensive than the burdensome, bundled service you now are compelled to buy. Cordcuttingreport.com

Plus - your cell phones will work more reliably in your home with OpenCape connectivity to many popular mobile phone services.

Once either of the solutions mentioned above gets launched then you can take this route to faster, more affordable internet video and music in your home.

Why is OpenCape offering a "shared" gigabit service?

Shared gigabit service is available on the downtown areas of Falmouth, Woods Hole, Hyannis and Buzzards Bay. Our goal is to help create a strong and viable downtown areas that will attract businesses of all sizes and help them thrive!

Is my business eligible?

If you are located in the downtown areas of Falmouth, Woods Hole, Hyannis or Buzzards Bay, you may be eligible for our initiative. Participants must be on or very close to Main Street or the OpenCape Fiber Backbone. Staff will confirm your physical location to validate your application, once it is received.