Frequently Asked Questions about LymeFiber

In Lyme today many people have DSL, fixed wireless, or satellite Internet service. Why would we build a new network using fiber-optic cable?

DSL service uses existing copper telephone wires. Much of that wiring was installed decades ago, and its quality varies throughout the town. As a result the data speeds available also vary. Moreover, available DSL speed drops off as you get farther from the telephone central office or from a remote DSL access module.

Fixed-wireless providers can provide service to many people in Lyme. However, their speeds top out in the same range as DSL, and our hilly topography prevents many others from getting service.

Satellite services depend on having a "view" of the satellite in the sky. And the service is capped, meaning that if you send or receive more than a certain amount of data, you may incur additional charges, or your service may be throttled.

All these services offer upload speeds that are much slower than download speeds. That may be OK for web browsing and reading email, but is not good if you are sharing large files or photos, running a business, or backing up your devices to the cloud.

Fiber-optic service has none of these limitations. It can offer much higher speeds, is symmetric - same speed up and down, and has no data limitations or data caps. Furthermore, its future is not limited, since the fiber cable that's installed today is already capable of handling the higher speeds we expect in the coming decades.