What is Fiber to the Home?
A traditional cable service area is designated HFC, or Hybrid Fiber Coax. This means the service enters the area on a fiber line, but is then delivered via coaxial lines from pole-to-pole in your neighborhood, and from the pole to your home. The coaxial line carries radio frequencies over an insulated copper wire, but optical fiber transmits via light signals over hair-like strands of glass. With Fiber to the Home, the fiber line will not stop at the local cable plant, but run directly to your home.
How does it work?
In regards to how cable enters the home, a fiber line called a drop will run from the pole to your house. The fiber drop runs to the house box on the side of the home, then a fiber cable enters the home and into a PON (Passive Optical Network) modem. So rather than convert to coaxial cable, the fiber line runs directly into the equipment. From there, the PON modem connects to your router as normal.
The following is an example of the PON modem. Note the lack of a coaxial cable jack. The fiber would connect to this modem via the green WAN port.
Phone service will also be available via a PON modem. In order to maintain phone service during power outages, we offer a battery back-up for purchase. This battery would connect into the PON modem directly, into the port to the right of the power cord.
What are the advantages?
Fiber to the Home will reduce or eliminate cable signal interference, such as ingress, signal noise, or cable leakage. Fiber will also be able to handle increased speed and bandwidth from point to point, which will prove useful for any future upgrades.
Which services are available in Westfield?
We offer our cable television, internet, and phone services in the Westfield area. As of 07/26/21, all levels of digital TV service, premium channels, and a Cloud DVR will be available. Television service will be provided via a Blue Ridge Stream box, which can be placed anywhere in your home—no cable jack needed.
Do I need your modem? Can I use my own router?
To receive internet service, we do require the use of our Blue Ridge PON modem. To receive wifi throughout your home, our HomeFi service is available, or you can connect your own wireless router to the PON modem.