Fiber Internet is Coming to Chewelah!

Fiber internet is a cutting-edge technology that brings the internet to your home or business at lightning speeds. Unlike traditional DSL or cable internet that uses copper wires, fiber internet uses thin strands of glass fibers to transmit data using light. This allows for much faster data transfer, meaning you can enjoy quicker downloads, smoother streaming, and more reliable connections. It's like upgrading from a country road to a superhighway for your internet traffic, ensuring that everything you do online is faster and more efficient. Plus, fiber internet is famed for its consistency and reliability, which means you can count on it to keep you connected when you need it most.

Yes, however in order to take advantage of the fast speeds that we offer, it is important to use a latest-generation WiFi router - like the one that we provide.

We include fast, feature-packed, mesh WiFi routers with our service at no cost.

If you live in a single family home or condo that has had service installed previously, your WiFi equipment will be shipped to you. Simply plug in your new equipment and your new service will be active!

If you live in a single family home or condo that has never had service installed, your installation appointment will take about 1-3 hours, depending on your home. In that appointment, a Thrive Broadband technician will work with you to determine the best location for the fiber modem (ONT) inside your home as well as the wall box on the outside of your home. Once the locations have been selected, the technician will install the outside wall box, the indoor fiber modem (ONT), and the cabling to connect the two. After that appointment, our construction crew will install a new cable from the nearest handhole or pole to the wall box on the side of your home (you won't need to be home for that part). When your service is ready, we'll reach out to activate your new service!

If you live in an apartment, no installation appointment is necessary! Just order your service online or by phone and we can have your internet up and running in a matter of minutes!

The number of mesh extenders you need will depend on the size and construction of your home as well as the speeds that you want to have throughout your home.

Commonly, a 1,500 sq. ft. home requires 0-1 mesh extenders, a 3,000 sq. ft. home requires about 1 mesh extender, and a 4,500 sq. ft. home requires about 2 mesh extenders. Home construction also greatly affects WiFi coverage and performance. Concrete, metal, and stucco walls significantly impact WiFi coverage and speeds, and thus benefit from more extenders.

You won't need any of your own network equipment because we include your fiber modem (ONT) and WiFi router in your service plan.

All residential internet plans include a fiber modem (ONT) and a WiFi router. Some plans include WiFi mesh extenders for additional WiFi coverage.

If you want to use your own WiFi router, we will provide just a fiber modem (ONT) to convert your fiber connection to an ethernet jack.

The actual internet speeds you experience can vary based on several factors. Here’s what you should know:

1. Wired vs. Wireless: Connecting directly to your router with an Ethernet cable usually provides the fastest and most stable speeds. Wireless connections (WiFi) can be affected by many factors, including distance from the router and physical obstructions like walls.

2. Device Capabilities: The age and type of your device can impact your speed. Newer devices can often handle higher speeds better than older ones. For example, the latest smartphones and tablets might reach speeds over 1,000 Mbps close to the router, while older models might only manage 20-40 Mbps.

3. Distance and Obstacles: Your WiFi speed can decrease the further you are from your router, especially if there are obstacles like walls or metal objects (such as ductwork or appliances) between your device and the router. These can significantly impact the strength and speed of your connection.

4. Shared Speeds: Your internet speed is shared among all devices in your home. So, if multiple devices are online at the same time, each might run slower than if it were the only one connected.

5. Testing Speeds: When you run a speed test, you’re measuring the speed to the specific device you’re using, not the overall speed coming into your home.

Remember, it’s normal for speeds to vary. You should generally be able to use your plan’s full speeds at any time, but individual device speeds may differ. If you’re unsure about your device’s capabilities or if you have any concerns about your speeds, please reach out to our customer support or ask your technician for assistance.

Some internet plans include WiFi mesh extenders at no additional cost. However if you need additional units there are a variety of mesh extenders available depending on your needs. Pricing ranges form $89 to $359 per extender, and there is no monthly charge.