December 2023

Illinois Extension Partners Provide Education and Outreach

Fall Battery Physical Maintenance Inspections Completed

iFiber performed its annual Fall Battery Physical Maintenance Inspections (PMI) at its Core Location and Distribution sites. Each year, those sites are notified about an anticipated day needed for iFiber technicians to gain building access. This was preventative maintenance, so the inspection did not include replacing batteries, which made this year's process quicker than previous inspections. As always, iFiber technicians notified the contact person when they were on their way. iFiber appreciates the time and assistance from Core Location and Distribution sites.

Broadband Industry News...

iFiber shares Broadband Communities Magazine articles to emphasize the importance of fiber in bridging the digital divide. As a provider of high-speed broadband transport services in Northwest Illinois, iFiber is committed to bridging the digital divide with an Open Access fiber network. iFiber is a not-for-profit organization that offers low-cost solutions for both public and private entities. High-speed broadband is crucial to the future of northwest Illinois communities.

• FCC launches inquiry to update national broadband standard
• ISP’s leverage improved digital optics to bring fiber to remote communities
• Trends driving smaller floor plans, bigger amenities still going strong
• Report: Most renters are dissatisfied with their current Wi-Fi services
• FCC’s updated broadband map shows increasing national connectivity
• Diving into the Biden Administration’s ‘tech hubs’ and what it means for broadband

Important iFiber Information

• Please don’t work in the cabinet, enclosure, and/or equipment labeled iFiber. This could accidentally cause service interruptions in your location and could impact others as well. Call NIMC at 877-753-8100 or e-mail nimc@niu.edu if you notice damage to the equipment/enclosures, or have questions about anything that looks out of place.
• Contact sales@ifiber.org and/or your local iFiber Outreach specialist if you are aware of, or are planning, any construction to your building or property. iFiber will investigate and determine if this could impact the connection or equipment. As a reminder, only iFiber contractors are allowed to relocate iFiber cable, enclosures, and equipment.
• iFiber engineers work to maintain the iFiber equipment remotely. Unless instructed by an iFiber engineer/Outreach specialist, please do not unplug or attempt to connect to any iFiber equipment.
• If you find that your Internet services are running slow consistently, contact sales@ifiber.org and let us help. iFiber provides your connection to the world via fiber. Individual services (such as Internet or phone service) are via a third party ISP. If anything is partially working (e.g. the Internet works, but is just slow), it’s quickest to start with whoever provides that service. iFiber will always support customer concerns; however, most often there is an issue with the service and not the fiber lines. Fiber is one of the most stable connection types and iFiber is committed to doing a great job managing its services. iFiber also can provide bandwidth reports to show you how your service is used and help you make an informed decision.
• iFiber is a community-based, not-for-profit organization with an Open Access fiber system in your area. iFiber has low-cost solutions for both public and private entities. High-speed networks are crucial to the future of northwest Illinois communities.