Yes, your fiber connection will require an Optical Network Terminal (ONT). The ONT contains an internal router, which also provides a wireless connection (Wi-Fi) to your devices. EMPOWER provides the modem (ONT) at no additional fee. Once the NID is installed, a technician will call to schedule your in-home installation and he/she will bring the ONT at that time.
Fiber FAQ
Yes, during the construction phase, we will terminate the fiber in a gray enclosure (Fiber Network Interface Device (NID)) that will be mounted to the side of the home or business. A basic install will have a simple mounting bracket that will connect to the side of the home.
Splicing is the process of joining two fiber-optic cables together. Spicing consists of 4 basic steps:
- Stripping the fiber – Removal of the protective polymer coating around optical fiber. The splicing process starts by preparing both ends and making sure that all protective coating is removed or stripped from the ends of every fiber.
- Cleaning the fiber – We clean the fibers to ensure we get good fusion between the pieces of glass.
- Splicing the fiber – We use a fusion splicing machine to align the two fiber ends. The glass ends are fused together using heat. This produces a continuous connection between the fibers.
- The fiber connection is tested to make sure everything is connected correctly.
A fiber drop connects a single fiber cable to larger cables in EMPOWER’S network, and then to the side of your home or building.
We do our best to leave your property in the best condition possible following construction of your fiber service. The majority of cables will be placed with a vibratory plowing machine, which will put a temporary line in the yard. This is usually unnoticeable within a week. We will always work with property owners to ensure that we have restored the property back to its original condition.
The main line in the easements and rights of ways are normally buried at least three feet deep and the fiber drop to the house or vault may vary between 12 and 18 inches in depth.
The flags, or markings, in your area were placed by the local utility companies and help our team identify where the lines are underground. When we begin fiber construction, we use these markings to protect against damage to your property or utilities. Please do not remove these markings until construction is complete and your fiber service has been connected.
Please note: The customer is responsible for marking any underground lines that are not the property of the utility such as electric lines to garages or outbuildings that do not have a separate meter. Underground dog fencing or any other lines/piping that the customer has installed should also be marked. EMPOWER is not responsible for any damage to lines that have not been marked by Miss Utility.
Install dates will be determined by construction activity, your location, and may be subject to weather delay. Due to these possible delays, we cannot provide exact timelines for our entire service territory or any current planned project areas; however, we regularly update our construction schedule with the current stages of construction. Please view the steps of the Construction Process to better understand the projected time for each phase.
If you rent a house or apartment, you must get permission from your landlord and have him/her complete the Landowners Authorization form. Please contact our office at (434) 636-2274 or (833) 787-2522 to request a form.
No, EMPOWER has been strategic in planning its costs and these prices will not change for the foreseeable future. As you can see, our prices are very competitive and often times less expensive for a much more superior internet service. We believe our customers deserve affordable high-speed internet and we have planned our pricing accordingly. We do not offer introductory pricing.