On 12/28/20 19:01, Aaron Wendel wrote:
Darin,
We charge a $300 one time install charge to cover our costs on the 1G
service (which can be paid out at $25/mo if you can't afford $300 all
at once).
The area we serve is mainly lower and lower-middle-class income with
an 80% transient population. Seven years ago, when "digital divide"
and "digital literacy" were the buzz words, we instituted our "free"
1G service in an effort to level the playing field for the population
who, otherwise, can't afford internet at all, let alone at that
speed. Until recently we didn't charge for residential service at any
tier. Rather than putting in "income tiers", making people fill out
applications for assistance, etc. we just made it free for everyone.
We also provide free 100G service to the local school district as well
as free service to local government, police, fire stations (Firemen
(and women) had to pay for their own internet to use while they were
on duty before us), library, churches and other non-profits.
That's the why. The how is that we control a LOT of fiber in the
metro area that is in use by a lot of very large providers that
everyone's heard of. We make enough money doing that so we don't feel
the need to charge the residences for a basic level of service.
I love it!
Well done, and really creative!
Mark.
