What is Morristown Utility Systems?
Morristown Utility Systems is your local public power utility responsible for providing utility services, such as power and water, here in Morristown. MUS has been serving the community of Morristown in this capacity since 1901. The same organization that serves your electric needs so well is going to be providing these new broadband services.
What is MUS FiberNet?
MUS FiberNet, or FiberNet, is the new fiber optic communications system that the Morristown Utility Systems built and manages. This system offers advanced video, Internet, and telephone services to the residents and businesses of Morristown. Construction of this new system is complete, and services should be available to all residents and businesses in the City and to the Morristown Utilty Systems power customers in the County. To best meet the needs of the community, the system is a Fiber to the Home system to ensure the availability of reliable and advanced services for homes and businesses.
What is a Fiber to the Home System?
A Fiber to the Home system (FTTH) is an advanced telecommunications technology that utilizes 100% fiber optics throughout the entire system. Unlike traditional cable or telephone systems that use copper wire or a mixture of coax and fiber optics, the FTTH system is more reliable, provides virtually unlimited bandwidth and requires less maintenance once it is constructed. If the local cable provider or the telephone company were to significantly upgrade their system in Morristown today, the FTTH technology would be the technology of choice.
Why is the Morristown Utility Systems building a fiber optic system in Morristown?
The leadership of our city is investing in a fiber network to realize the following benefits for our community: A. To provide the community with advanced telecommunications services FiberNet will provide Morristown residents with advanced services such as high definition television, video-on-demand, and high-speed Internet access. By making this investment in the community, Morristown Utility Systems can ensure that leading-edge communications and entertainment services are available to our residents and business now and in the future. Since we live in an information age, the quality and availability of these services is paramount to our quality of living here in Morristown. B. To keep communications and entertainment revenues in Morristown After expenses for debt service and operations are paid, any excess revenue will go back into the community. Today the local providers take millions of dollars out of our community, returning very little to Morristown. Our FTTH system will ensure these excess funds will be put to work in our community. C. To ensure that healthy competition results in fair prices. FiberNet services provided on the FTTH system will compete with the cable TV, Internet and local telephone services available today. By having the opportunity to select an alternative provider for these services, the natural forces of competition will ensure that residents and businesses will have both choices between service providers, and access to fair pricing.
What are we able to do with the fiber optic system?
The fiber optic system allows Morristown Utility Systems to offer state of the art television, Internet and telephone services to the community. Services is more reliable, faster, and clearer. More importantly, since the community owns the system, FiberNet has a community flavor. Overall the FTTH system improves the quality of life in this community and provides a strong economic development tool by attracting new business and enhancing the competitiveness of our current business community.
Who will own the system? The local cable provider has had several names in the past.
Morristown Utility Systems will own and operate the system.
Will we be the first city in the United States to operate a fiber telecommunications system like this?
No. In the last several years many cities throughout the United States, some larger and some smaller than Morristown, have constructed fiber to the home systems (FTTH). The Fiber to the Home Council reports that as of late 2005 there were over 650 communities or developments that have already deployed FTTH services with active customers. These communities have had excellent success with their systems, most even exceeding their initial service penetration estimates.
Will my taxes go up because this project is so expensive?
No. The funds for constructing the fiber network come from municipal backed, general obligation bonds issued by the City of Morristown. Tax revenues are not being used to fund this project in any way.
When will these services be available to my home or business?
If the location you are inquiring about is in the City then FiberNET should be available. If you live in the County, but have Morristown Utility Systems power you should have FiberNET available to you.
Will I need special equipment to use FTTH services?
No. All necessary equipment will be provided at installation. In general, the FTTH system will use the current wiring in your home or business. Where needed, your installer will provide any additional cabling.
What are the minimum specifications for my PC?
FiberNet recommends the following guidelines for your PC in using our Internet service: • Operating System: Windows 95,98, Me, 2000, XP. Macintosh 8.0 or higher. • CPU: 100MHz or greater • Memory: 32MB or greater • Free Disk Space: 100 MB or greater