Frequently Asked Questions

We have been receiving a lot of interest from East Central Energy members, the media, and the public regarding services from ECE’s new fiber internet venture, ECE Fiber. If your questions aren’t answered below, please email [email protected]

When will construction begin?

Patience is key when it comes to such a large project. We are planning to begin Phase 1 of construction in May 2023 (funded by ECE in the amount of $30 million, plus nearly $15 million in grants). This phase will need to be completed by June 30, 2025, to meet grant requirements.

When is ECE bringing fiber to my area?

We know members are frustrated with their current situation and more than eager for fiber internet. The more interest we receive from each neighborhood, the sooner we can expand to that area. Tell your friends to visit ECEFiber.com to fill out their own form and add their address to the list of potential subscribers.

How much will the entire fiber project cost?

The overall cost is $350 million. Grants are an important component, but we still have a long way to go.

What types of plans and speeds will ECE Fiber provide?

We are still working on services and pricing. We plan to be at or below competitor pricing in our area. Check back later to see what we plan to offer!

How long will it take to build a network?

We are looking to progress through five phases over a 5-year period. Certain areas of our territory have funding available that we’d want to target first. Supply chain issues could prolong our overall target. We look forward to eventually offering lightning-fast fiber internet services to all members!

Since ECE is a cooperative, will fiber subscribers also receive capital credit payouts?

We plan to update our bylaws to allow capital credits for fiber internet members. These credits will be on a separate retirement schedule but will still follow the cooperative model.

Glossary of terms

Broadband: The Federal Communications Commission defines a broadband connection as one with a minimum download speed of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) and a minimum upload speed of 3 Mbps. Note: ECE plans to offer higher speeds than this—see “fiber” below.

Fiber: Fiber is considered the “gold standard” of broadband connections. It is incredibly fast because a glass filament transmits data through light pulses. Fiber can handle a near unlimited amount of data and users. ECE plans to offer a minimum of 100 Mbps.

FTTH: “Fiber to the home,” also called “fiber to the premises” (FTTP), is the installation and use of optical fiber from a central point directly to individual buildings such as residences and businesses to provide high-speed internet access.

Underserved: An area in which households or businesses do receive service at or above the FCC threshold but lack access to wire-line broadband service at speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.

Unserved: An area in which households or businesses lack access to wire-line broadband service at speeds that meet the FCC threshold of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mpbs upload.