HomeTel Fiber is the best technology available for internet service and gives you access to some of the fastest internet speeds in the State of Illinois. Fiber has virtually unlimited capacity to bring ultra-fast internet service to your home or business with very high quality and reliability.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long has HomeTel offered fiber service?
HomeTel has been offering fiber-to-the home service to St. Jacob and the surrounding area since 2003.
What are the benefits to having a fiber internet connection?
Fiber is considered the gold standard of residential internet connections and provides the fastest, most reliable, and consistent connections possible. Having access to a fiber internet connection has also been shown to increase the value of your home. According to a 2015 FTTH Council Study – having access to a fiber optic connection can add as much as $5,437 to your home’s value!
What internet speeds will be available with a fiber connection?
HomeTel offers screaming fast internet speeds. Choose from 200Mbps or 500Mbps symmetrical internet plans. Unlike other providers, our download and upload speeds are the same.
Will someone need to get inside my house?
Yes. HomeTel technicians will install a Network Interface Device (NID) on the outside of your home or business. An optic network terminal (ONT) will be placed inside your home or business when service is installed. The ONT provides connectivity to our fiber optic network. HomeTel will contact each customer to schedule a service installation appointment.
Will I need a wireless router?
HomeTel Fiber service includes a dual-network carrier class router – the GigaCenter. Expand your coverage even further with optional Mesh WiFi units and you’ll be able to enjoy your devices all over, from the basement craft room to the backyard patio to the man cave in the garage.
What is registration?
Registering for service lets HomeTel know you are ready to have fiber brought to your home or business and are serious about getting service. Take advantage of the discounted fiber construction and installation rate of $200 (a $350 value) offered only during the construction phase.*
*The construction phase for Country Meadows Crossing, Country Pointe and Grotefendt Rd, has ended and is now in the installation phase.
What is the Construction and Installation fee for?
The construction and installation fee helps to cover part of the cost to have the fiber installed to your home.
Is the Construction and Installation fee refundable?
If you reside in an area where HomeTel is just gathering interest in fiber service, the fee would be refunded if HomeTel does not get enough pre-registrations to meet its commitment requirements. The fee is non-refundable if the fiber build occurs in your neighborhood and you do not sign-up for HomeTel service.
When do I need to register?
HomeTel needs to know you want fiber while construction crews are in your neighborhood.
What if I am in a contract with my current provider?
We recommend you still register so you can take advantage of the discounted construction and installation charge. When you are ready for HomeTel Fiber service, your service will be installed quicker.
Where will the new fiber be installed?
The new cable will run underground directly to residential and commercial buildings.
Does any special equipment need to be installed in or on my house?
HomeTel will need to place a device called an ONT (optical network terminal), power supply and router at your home or business.
Will my yard be disturbed during construction?
HomeTel will install underground fiber optic cable to each customer’s home or business with as minimal ground disturbance as possible. Our contractor will place plastic duct in the ground through which the fiber optic cable will be pulled. The duct will be installed by either trenching or boring. HomeTel will be responsible for restoring all property back to its original condition after construction is completed.
When will my yard be restored?
HomeTel has internal processes and procedures in place to monitor the progress of your property after the installation of the buried fiber drop. Our goal is to restore the ground as quickly as possible. The restoral work is dependent up on the weather. As with any construction, the ground settles over time and rain helps to accelerate the settling process. It is best to let the ground settle to make sure there will not be any movement after the restoral process is completed. HomeTel will continue to monitor the restoration efforts of the ground and as weather permits, a HomeTel employee or contractor will work to restore the ground to its previous condition in a timely fashion.
Will Cable TV Service be available?
Cable TV service will not be offered in your area. However, with HomeTel Fiber, you will have plenty of speed to stream video content.
Do you have more questions?
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