Broadband FAQs

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers

LCUB Broadband is fast, reliable, affordable internet, delivered on the area’s only 100% fiber optic network.

Who is eligible for LCUB’s Broadband Service?

Due to Tennessee State Law, at this time, only LCUB Electric customers have access to broadband services, as the service is provided over the Fiber-optic Smart Grid which serves LCUB Electric customers.

What broadband services will LCUB be offering?

LCUB will offer a standard 1 Gig residential package that provides symmetrical gigabit per second download and upload speeds for $69.99 a month including WiFi. LCUB will have packages available with different tiered speeds and pricing for both residential and business customers. LCUB will also offer Managed WiFi services, which provide the latest technology router to ensure maximum signal strength and speed, as well as 24/7 technical support, for an additional $10 per month.

LCUB will eventually offer VoIP (voice over IP) telephone service. Customers can also choose to add LCUB Managed WiFi services to ensure optimal performance at an additional cost. LCUB feels that these performance levels are currently unavailable for most customers in our area for an affordable price and will allow customers to operate more devices more reliably.

 

Will LCUB offer television and phone services?

No, LCUB does not have plans to currently offer television services. LCUB will however offer VoIP (voice over IP) phone options for residential and business customers. For an additional fee, customers will be able to keep their existing landline phone number if they wish or add a new landline and number as well. LCUB is working on finalizing the details of those plans and will make them available soon.

 

 

 

Where will the tech support and call center be located?

Locally. LCUB will employ local technical and customer support staff to ensure that customer issues are fully addressed when they arise. These new jobs will offer new opportunities for current LCUB employees, as well as provide new opportunities for local hiring. The creation of these new positions will be paced along with the buildout. As more customers subscribe, more jobs will be created to ensure customers receive exceptional service.

Will broadband fees be on a separate bill from LCUB?

Yes. LCUB will provide a separate bill for its broadband services. This is a practice that has been used by some of LCUB’s peers. LCUB believes it can be helpful for customers to manage their internet and other broadband service costs separately. It will also ensure that nonpayment for broadband services will not impact other services provided by LCUB.

Will the fiber system be installed overhead or underground?

LCUB plans to install its fiber optic cables wherever the electric wires are installed. This means that in most cases, when the electric lines are underground, the fiber will be underground, and where the lines are overhead, the fiber will be overhead as well.

Why fiber optics?

Fiber optic technology transmits information using laser-generated pulses of light that travel over hair-thin strands of glass fiber. Because light travels faster than anything else in the universe, fiber optics provide faster uploads and downloads while reducing network reaction times. LCUB Fiber is the area’s only broadband provider that uses 100% fiber optics. In addition to being faster, fiber optics is also much more reliable as it does not have the same weather-related issues that often occur when customers are accessing the internet via satellite. One additional advantage is that fiber speeds are the same for downstream and upstream speeds. Many inferior current internet delivery technologies have either slower overall speeds, or much slower upload speeds than download speeds. Fiber is designed for two-way data transfer, whereas wired systems were only designed for one-way.

Why do I need Gig speeds?

People are using the internet more than ever before. In fact, the average household already has more than twenty connected devices, and some experts project that number will triple in the next few years. Gaming consoles, smartphones, tablets, PC’s, thermostats, doorbells, security cameras, smart TV’s, Smart speakers, streaming media devices (Amazon Fire Stick TV, Apple TV, etc.) and many, many more devices are becoming part of our everyday lives. And, with the whole family using your home’s internet at the same time, the more bandwidth (speed) you have, the more you can do, without lagging or buffering.

Will my Wi-Fi router handle Gig speeds?

The WiFi router supplied by LCUB will be capable of Gig speeds. However, if you choose to use your own WiFi router, speeds will vary. Like all technology, wireless routers are continually updated and improved, so performance could be based on the age, type and performance specifications of your existing router. We recommend that you check your wireless router with a “speed test” to ensure you are receiving the best performance and upgrade your router if necessary. LCUB Managed WiFi services provides the fastest router for fiber broadband, with technical support included, for an additional $10 a month.

Why are my speed test results not 1,000 Mbps?

There are many reasons why you may not be achieving Gigabit speeds. The best way to get the maximum internet speed is to connect your computer directly to the LCUB Wi-Fi router using a Cat 5e ethernet wire. Keep in mind that advertised speeds can rarely be achieved on Wi-Fi because the signal strength is diluted over a wireless network. The age and type of your wireless router, as well as its placement in your home, are all factors determining speed and performance. And, like all technology, wireless routers are continually updated for improved performance. If you’re using older equipment that wasn’t designed to handle such speeds, we recommend that you upgrade your router and even computer/device if necessary.

Where is the best place to put my Wi-Fi router?

In your home, we advise keeping routers away from microwave ovens, wireless phones and other major appliances. Also, locating your router near brick walls, floors, ceilings, and other obstacles that can impede the signal. Also, we advise changing the router channel from the factory default setting to another option to differentiate your signal from those of your neighbors.

To ensure you are receiving the very best signal coverage throughout your home, we recommend you add LCUB Managed WiFi services for an additional $10 per month. Managed WiFi includes unlimited support 24/7, device setup, equipment upgrades and more. For more information on Managed WiFi click here.