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Thursday, October 31, 2024

Survey Results- Longmeadow Town Owned Fiber Network

This survey was conducted by LongmeadowBiz, LLC to determine the interest of town residents in supporting a fully town owned optical fiber Internet network as a competitor to Comcast/ XFinity.  There were 100 responses to this survey.

Background Info

Warrant article #9 at the upcoming November 12, 2024 Longmeadow Special Town Meeting warrant asks voters to transfer $491,444 of available "free cash" to commence design/ engineering work and required applications for addition of fiber cable to town telephone poles.

ARTICLE 9 To see if the Town will vote to transfer from available funds in the Treasury, the sum of $491,444.16, or a greater or lesser sum, for the purpose of fiber network design, project management services, pole attachment applications, and to authorize the MLP board to take all steps necessary to carry out this task, or take any other action relative thereto.

Here are some of the highlights to the LongmeadowBiz survey questions:

  1. 82% of users rate Comcast's Internet service as Fair --> Excellent while 17% rate it as unacceptable.
  2. The high cost of Comcast service (including TV programming) was ranked as the highest service complaint (71%).
  3. Town residents use their Comcast Internet connection for a variety of reasons with the highest usage being for email, social media, TV programing and web browsing (87+%).  72% also use it for working from home.
  4. 31% of respondents indicated that they need higher speeds while 56% indicated that their Internet service and speed was sufficient.
  5. Greatest concerns about the proposed project included the cost, potential increase in taxes, long term maintenance and management and the transition process from the existing supplier.
  6. There was financial support for the project by town residents including support for a small increase in taxes if the project delivered on its promises.

 Forms response chart. Question title: 1. Internet Usage: How do you currently use your home internet? (Select all that apply). Number of responses: 96 responses.

 

Forms response chart. Question title: 3. Service Quality . Number of responses: 94 responses. 

Forms response chart. Question title: 4. Internet Speed Needs (Select all answers that apply.) . Number of responses: 93 responses. 

Forms response chart. Question title: 5. Concerns about a New Town-Owned Fiber Network What concerns, if any do you have about the creation of a town-owned fiber network? (Select all answers that apply.) . Number of responses: 95 responses. 

Forms response chart. Question title: 6. Willingness to Pay If your Internet service improved, would you be willing to pay slightly higher taxes or fees to support a town-owned fiber network. . Number of responses: 96 responses. 

 

Forms response chart. Question title: 7. Interest in Switching to a Town-Owned Network If the town builds its own fiber network with equal or improved service. . Number of responses: 96 responses. 

Forms response chart. Question title: 8. Support for the Project: Do you support the Town of Longmeadow's plan to build a town-owned fiber network at an estimated cost of $27 million? . Number of responses: 96 responses. 

Here’s a summary of additional comments provided by Survey Respondents:

  • Challenges for the Town: Some believe the town lacks the capacity to manage a fiber network due to other major infrastructure projects including building a new school, replacing water/sewer lines and road repair.
  • Skepticism of Municipal Management: There’s concern that managing utilities or communication networks may not be appropriate or effective for local governments.
  • Competition and Sustainability Concerns: Some worry that competition from other Internet providers or emerging technologies might make a local town owned fiber network less sustainable in the long run.
  • Frustration with Comcast: While some residents have reliable internet, others criticize Comcast for high rates, monopoly control, and lack of alternatives.
  • Political Concerns: A few respondents expressed frustration with Comcast for political reasons, opposing support for their media platforms and favoring local alternatives.
  • Self-Sufficiency Goal: Supporters believe the project can become self-sufficient, pointing to the success of other community fiber initiatives.
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