When will broadband be coming to our neighborhood

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Posted on May 06 2021 in Southeastern Indiana REMC
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Southeastern Indiana REMC is planning a fiber-to-the-home construction project that will provide high-speed internet to approximately 20,000 homes in Dearborn, Franklin, Jefferson, Jennings, Ohio, Ripley and Switzerland counties.

“The build-out will be completed in four phases over the next four years,” said Bryan Miller, director of information technology and diversified services. “It’s an aggressive timeline, but we know our members desperately need this service and we want to get it to them as quickly as we can.”

The first step in the project is to build out the main line, which is often referred to as the fiber backbone. This “backbone” section is required before service can be brought to each zone. During the buildout, we encourage members to let us know if they are interested in receiving the service by pre-registering. This does not obligate you to take the service or a specific package. It just helps us determine the number of subscribers we will potentially be serving in a specific area. 

Once a backbone section is complete, we will begin installing drops to homes. This is when you will officially sign up for service. If you have pre-registered, we will reach out to you to let you know when it is time to do this. It is important to note that there is no charge to sign up for a new service connection during the phase buildout in your area, but after the phase buildout in your area is complete there will be a minimum fee of $600 or construction cost (whichever is greater) to sign up. 

Once a drop has been installed at a home, the customer will receive a notification to schedule the in-home installation. SEI Communications will complete the installation work and assist you with the set-up of your package. 

The construction of the fiber backbone began on March 30. Due to the size of the phases, we are breaking the area into smaller zones to provide service as soon as possible. We have targeted five zones to complete in 2021. These zones include the following areas: Elrod, Versailles, Hopewell, Pleasant and Five-Points.