Technology Committee

Lit Fiber Optic Cable

Members

  • Jeffrey Lazarus, Co-chairman
  • Rolfe Tessem, Co-Chairman

Egremont Tech Committee Update
From Egremont News, April 2023

The March nor'easter caused widespread power and internet outages in Egremont. Fiber Connect (FC) completed all reported internet connection issues as soon as it was deemed safe for the crew. 

FC is upgrading its network infrastructure by adding backhaul redundancy, increasing transmission speeds (10 Gbps TBD in 2023), and completing the new network head-end on Baldwin Hill. Redundant backhaul allows secondary access other than the Middle Mile to the nation's internet network. The secondary backhaul will prevent network-wide outages and enable greater connect speeds to the national network. 

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are being expanded with grants for Main St. South Egremont, North Village near the 3-way intersection of RT 71, Bocie and Prospect Lake Rd, and at the French Park Dog Park. 

Having completed its network extension buildout in Egremont last fall, FC will submit its final report to the Town for certification in April.

Fiber Connect Low-Income Broadband Subsidy Program

Under the terms of Fiber Connect's agreement with the Town of Egremont to wire the Town for fiber optic broadband, Fiber Connect offers a low-income subsidy to qualifying households in the form of a 50% discount on their published installation charges and on monthly broadband service (taxes excluded).

This program was adopted on a one-year trial basis and is currently ongoing. Go here to find out if you are eligible and to apply.  

Free Wi-Fi Hotspots

Fiber Connect of the Berkshires provides free public Wi-Fi hotspots in South and North Egremont – Town Hall Parking Lot, 171 Rt. 71, No. Egremont and the Free Library Parking Lot, 1 Buttonball Lane, So. Egremont. 

The ISP also provides free public Wi-Fi in French Park. When in the Park, access "EgremontFreeWi-Fi," an unsecured network. The Wi-Fi service covers the lower portion of the Park - tennis courts, playground, Little League field, pavilions, horse rink, and the open areas. A 360° antenna on a pole behind one of the dugouts broadcasts the signal. Speeds will vary depending on your distance from the antenna. A second hotspot - grant-funded - at the French Park Dog Park will be lit once FC's new head-end location is complete.

With the receipt of a state grant, two more Wi-Fi hotspots will be added along Main St., So. Egremont, and one hotspot at the intersection of Boice Rd and Rt. 71 in No. Egremont in 2023. Service along Main St. is temporarily on hold until major construction related to the state highway project is complete. FC is negotiating with National Grid regarding the placement of hotspot equipment on one of their poles at the North Egremont intersection.