Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Here, you can find answers to the most commonly asked questions.
If you cannot find the answer to your questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
General Questions
Answer: Broadband internet (FCC defined as 100mbps download/20mbps upload as of March 2024) is critical for today's digital economy, educational resources, public safety, and more. The state of Washington State Broadband Office has set the goal for every home and business in the state to have access to at least 150/150mbps broadband service by the year 2028.
Broadband deployment is increasingly considered an essential infrastructure. In today's connected world, it is extremely difficult to fully engage in learning, working, or accessing healthcare without the availability of high-speed internet services. 100 years ago, the major infrastructure push was to get electricity to all Americans. Today, it's high-speed internet.
Answer: The primary technologies utilized for the delivery of high-speed internet service are: wireline (fiber optic, copper, cable), land-based wireless (microwave, 5G), and satellite.
Wireline: Fiber-optic broadband infrastructure is considered the "gold standard" of these options because it can support unlimited bandwidth use and has minimal signal degradation over long distances. Copper wire loses about 94% of its bandwidth capacity over 100 meters, whereas fiber-optic line only loses about 3% over the same distance. While wireline generally provides the most reliable service, it is also more expensive to deploy.
Wireless: Wireless is a good solution when wireline infrastructure is cost-prohibitive due to difficult geography, which would be very expensive to get a wireline solution to, or in rural areas with low building density. However, wireless infrastructure can be impacted by weather, trees, and other environmental factors.
Satellite: Satellite technologies, including traditional and low-Earth orbit, are useful resources for remote locations where wireline and wireless are not available. However, due to their high latency and instability of data transmission, the FCC does not recognize satellite internet service as broadband. As such, current grant programs will not award grant funds for satellite deployment.
Answer: In order to realize the full bandwidth of your selected service, your in-home router will need to be capable of supporting 1 gigabit symmetrical services. If you can't remember the last time you got a new router, it's probably time to upgrade. The general rule of thumb is that routers need to be upgraded about every 5 years for the typical user.
You can purchase new routers wherever you buy other electronics, or you may be able to work with your service provider to obtain a router that will meet your service needs.
Answer: NoaNet CBS believes that everyone should have access to high-quality, affordable internet services. One of the ways this is ensured for Washington communities is to have a competitive open-access marketplace where customers can choose the service provider of their choice and where prices are competitive. NoaNet CBS only provides end-user services on open-access networks.
Answer: Organizations statewide are continuously working to secure funding from state and federal agencies to deploy broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas. Once grant funds are awarded, the buildout process begins. Construction is currently underway for some communities; for others, it may take several years.
Search your address in this portal to find out if your home or business is a part of any of NoaNet's open-access communities.
Answer: This portal will eventually be where you sign up for services in the broadband marketplace. After submitting an application for a line extension and getting a fiber drop to your home or business, this portal will have all participating Retail Service Providers' services available for purchase.
Answer: NoaNet CBS is proud to support affordable connectivity options. Our service prices and contract terms are available in the services section of this portal. Search your address to find out what services and prices are available to you.
Answer: NoaNet CBS operates exclusively on open-access broadband networks. This means that several qualified Retail Service Providers (RSPs) can share the network equally to provide services to end users. The open-access operating model has been shown to reduce service costs and improve the customer experience for end users. The reason for these positive consumer outcomes is that in an open-access marketplace with multiple providers, the providers must compete to gain customers' business. If someone is unsatisfied with their service quality, customer service experience, or other reasons, they can elect to change providers through our broadband marketplace.
FAQ for Broadband Survey
Answer: The survey will only take about 5 minutes to complete and the information will be invaluable to evaluate if the Internet needs of the community are being met and, if not, help to secure grant funds to build the needed infrastructure.
Answer: This survey requires you to provide your address so that we can ensure you live in an area where we collect survey information.
Answer: Absolutely not! The survey is for informational use only to identify areas that are unserved or underserved by current internet services. There is absolutely no commitment or obligation attached.
Answer: Yes. As long as you can reach the survey/signup form on your device, it will work for taking the survey. To get the most accurate speed test possible, please connect to your home or business Internet service with a wireline connection, or be close to your wireless access point.
Answer: If your address is not found, please send us a message through the contact tab at the top of the page. Our staff will review your address and get back to you.
Answer: If you want to update your survey answers, just take the survey again. This will replace the previous version on file. Please note that you'll need to use a different email address.
Answer: Only one survey per household/business will be accepted. If you live in an apartment building, please include your unit number so we know it is a separate residence. If you run a business out of your home, you can submit a survey as a resident of the address as well as an additional survey for the needs of your business, just make sure you select the appropriate customer type at the beginning of the survey.
Answer: The data collected will be used as statistical data to understand the community's broadband needs and opinions. Additionally, the data may be used to support grant applications to obtain funding to build networks in areas found to be unserved and underserved. Any information from the survey presented publicly or in applications will not include any personally identifying details.
Answer: This survey is only a data collection tool to understand your community’s broadband needs and to help secure grant funds to build infrastructure. This does not mean there are any plans to build new infrastructure to your area currently.
For the most current status of your address, please use the search tool on the homepage.