Page 1 of 3
Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:12 am
by Sir Henry
The federal government did a study on Covid19 and came to the conclusion those without hi-speed internet were more likely to die from covid. To combat this the feds are financing low cost fiber optics in rural areas including where I’m at. I’m told I will have cheap fiber optics within a year. I’ve wondered what the huge rolls of wire along the roads were doing there.
I currently can have satellite internet however it’s several hundred dollars a month. Right now I’m paying about $50 and it’s as slow as the local maple syrup.
Okay everyone back to work and pay your taxes so I can benefit.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:45 pm
by dave77
I didn't realize satellite internet was so expensive. Glad I have PUD fiber, $50 for 100/10.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:14 pm
by Sir Henry
dave77 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 3:45 pm
I didn't realize satellite internet was so expensive. Glad I have PUD fiber, $50 for 100/10.
It’s so expensive most people here can’t afford it. In the city if you run a mile of fiber optics you can hook up several hundred if not a thousand people. Here you might only sign up a dozen making it not profitable to lay the fiber. Hence the government’s involvement.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:27 pm
by CT_Shooter
Sir Henry wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:12 am
Okay everyone back to work and pay your taxes so I can benefit.
Glad you brought that up.
You're gonna love that broadband, Gene; though maybe not nearly as much as shooting spinners in your new backyard range.
Happily, everyone in the USA will significantly benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).
https://www.whitehouse.gov/bipartisan-i ... cture-law/
It's gonna make a lot of our lives better in some unexpected ways.
I enjoy following your personal evolution as you post it on the forum. We share a deeply similar experience.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 10:08 pm
by dave77
I'm not too far from town but would probably not have fiber if it was up to private companies. Our county PUD ran all the fiber and they have some sort of a lease agreement with the local ISP's to actually provide the service. The county PUD's that own their dams on the Columbia River have excess power that they sell on the open market. Our county owns 2 dams and they make enough on their power sales to subsidize things like fiber, a domestic water system and a pretty extensive park system. And we still have one of the lowest electric rates in the country.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2022 9:39 am
by Sir Henry
CT_Shooter wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:27 pm
Sir Henry wrote: ↑Sat Mar 19, 2022 11:12 am
Okay everyone back to work and pay your taxes so I can benefit.
Glad you brought that up.
You're gonna love that broadband, Gene; though maybe not nearly as much as shooting spinners in your new backyard range.
Happily, everyone in the USA will significantly benefit from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).
https://www.whitehouse.gov/bipartisan-i ... cture-law/
It's gonna make a lot of our lives better in some unexpected ways.
I enjoy following your personal evolution as you post it on the forum. We share a deeply similar experience.
Sometimes I wonder if I post too much. If I stub my toe I’ll make a post. Seriously building a rimfire range was top priority in finding a place. I could have afforded a mansion and I chose this modest farmhouse. It’s not just the house that makes this area so special. The residents are really welcoming. Families welcome me to their tables and two women have asked me out. I’m really reluctant to get into a relationship with a long time resident. If it goes south I’m stuck living next door to them.
I wouldn’t mind having an activity partner, someone that likes to hike and go on day trips to see the state.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2022 11:48 am
by Hatchdog
You don’t post too much Gene, I believe that we all are enjoying following along with your journey. Most of us wouldn’t have the where-with-all to make the life change you have gone thru. Besides, for me and probably others HRF is my version of Facebook.
My son who just moved from Spokane to a rural home has/had the same issue with internet as you. He works from home and a solid connection is critical for him. There is DSL in the phone line that serves his place but the company CenturyLink has some equipment issues in his location. So he was forced to use satellite and it is/was over $200 per month. Fortunately his company pays for it but a cap on the dollar amount was set to be put in place later this year. Good news is CenturyLink has repaired the equipment in his area and he was able to switch to the DSL which is $53 per month. I am on this same service and it is fine for what we do, light internet surfing and TV streaming.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2022 6:22 pm
by Sir Henry
Hatchdog wrote: ↑Sun Mar 20, 2022 11:48 am
You don’t post too much Gene, I believe that we all are enjoying following along with your journey. Most of us wouldn’t have the where-with-all to make the life change you have gone thru. Besides, for me and probably others HRF is my version of Facebook.
My son who just moved from Spokane to a rural home has/had the same issue with internet as you. He works from home and a solid connection is critical for him. There is DSL in the phone line that serves his place but the company CenturyLink has some equipment issues in his location. So he was forced to use satellite and it is/was over $200 per month. Fortunately his company pays for it but a cap on the dollar amount was set to be put in place later this year. Good news is CenturyLink has repaired the equipment in his area and he was able to switch to the DSL which is $53 per month. I am on this same service and it is fine for what we do, light internet surfing and TV streaming.
My DSL internet is really slow. I stuck an antenna up for TV and got 30 channels however 23 of them were shopping which I never watch. Then I ordered satellite for $83 a month for three months and then it will jump to $127. It’s nice to have a dozen movie channels with no commercials.
I don’t have a land line and won’t pay the $200 for satellite internet. My property taxes and utilities are about a third what I was paying. Sales tax is about half and I don’t think any of my income will be taxable.
So far my biggest expenses has been “stuff” like shovels and rakes and furniture. I sold, gave away or just left behind 95% of my belongings. It’s kind of nice to start fresh again although it is time consuming and expensive.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:12 am
by Hatchdog
I noticed the sticker on the shovel in the mud. Kinda cool that you are re-supplying in the new area. That’s a good way to establish relationships with the local stores.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:28 am
by daytime dave
So far my biggest expenses has been “stuff” like shovels and rakes and furniture. I sold, gave away or just left behind 95% of my belongings. It’s kind of nice to start fresh again although it is time consuming and expensive.
[/quote]
Yes, I can agree with and understand that.
I'm glad things are going well there.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:25 pm
by Sir Henry
Hatchdog wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:12 am
I noticed the sticker on the shovel in the mud. Kinda cool that you are re-supplying in the new area. That’s a good way to establish relationships with the local stores.
I bought a propane tank yesterday for my barbecue at Tractor Supply. When I was having it filled I talked to the young man about living here. It’s really refreshing to live in an area where 70% of the population voted like I did.
I dropped off my trash at the transfer station on Saturday and a woman approached me asking if I was the new guy in town. She let me know she wasn’t married or dating anyone and kept complementing on my hair and looks. I got the feeling she wanted me to ask her out which I didn’t. I did get her phone number. She is a cousin to my neighbor where I’ve had dinner twice. I’m really reluctant to get involved with anyone that lives so close and have had family in the area for 150 years.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Wed Mar 30, 2022 11:03 am
by daytime dave
Sir Henry wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 12:25 pm
Hatchdog wrote: ↑Mon Mar 21, 2022 10:12 am
I noticed the sticker on the shovel in the mud. Kinda cool that you are re-supplying in the new area. That’s a good way to establish relationships with the local stores.
I bought a propane tank yesterday for my barbecue at Tractor Supply. When I was having it filled I talked to the young man about living here. It’s really refreshing to live in an area where 70% of the population voted like I did.
I dropped off my trash at the transfer station on Saturday and a woman approached me asking if I was the new guy in town. She let me know she wasn’t married or dating anyone and kept complementing on my hair and looks. I got the feeling she wanted me to ask her out which I didn’t. I did get her phone number. She is a cousin to my neighbor where I’ve had dinner twice. I’m really reluctant to get involved with anyone that lives so close and have had family in the area for 150 years.
You sound like a pretty sought after commodity there Gene. I agree with your sentiments. Those folks have been there for a long time. Make one of them not like you as much and that perfect world might change a bit.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 5:41 pm
by Sir Henry
High speed internet has finally made it to my house. They buried it today although it might be a couple months before it’s active.
- D9B963D6-9958-4F7D-ACF3-113C0B019153.jpeg (5.6 MiB) Viewed 10030 times
I’m not sure I will even sign up for it. My AT&T iPhone is 5G and serves me well.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Mon May 13, 2024 8:44 pm
by Travlin
Did your old computer burn kerosene or was it a wood burner? LOL
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Tue May 14, 2024 6:42 am
by Sir Henry
Travlin wrote: ↑Mon May 13, 2024 8:44 pm
Did your old computer burn kerosene or was it a wood burner? LOL
It was fired by coal.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Tue May 14, 2024 11:17 am
by Mags
Lived through several "Hi Speed Internet Coming Soon" generations.
First was from 24Kb/s to 56KKb/s modem
Then broadband DSL modem to 384Kb/s
Then early FIOS up to 30Mb/s
Now here the minimum speed is 100Mb/s with a maximum of 50Gb/s
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Tue May 14, 2024 10:16 pm
by Travlin
Anthracite or smoky soft coal? How many know that the term "cinder block " does not mean made of concrete but made from cinders of coal. I get upset when these web sites say they are shooting a "cinder block" when it is not. Good luck with the high speed connection.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Tue May 14, 2024 11:36 pm
by Mags
Ya and cinder blocks aren't even made any more. What is made now are 'Concrete Masonry Blocks'.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Wed May 15, 2024 6:34 am
by rickhem
Does anyone have experience with Starlink? The Elon Musk satellite internet thing.
Re: Hi-speed internet is coming to rural Wisconsin
Posted: Wed May 15, 2024 8:29 am
by daytime dave
High speed internet is certainly better than dial up or satellite. I just tested my chromebook speed, 85 mbs. My ipad had 365 mbs. I think I'm supposed to get 100 mbs according to the provider.
I have the whole house streaming Chaka Khan and am surfing the internet without delay. Fast enough for me. I hope yours gets going soon Gene.
I would have never thought I'd be doing this 30 or so years ago.