Broadband Services: FAQ

Pre-Deployment

There are several important steps to ensure a smooth process. A good overall primer for getting started can be read here. You can also contact our ZCorum team to go over your options for getting started.

There are multiple options other than a pure fiber network, including DOCSIS (cable modem), fixed wireless, and a mix of technologies.

For the highest speeds, 5G must use millimeter wave spectrum, which means building out many small cell sites because that portion of the spectrum cannot travel very far and it requires line of sight between all access points and from an access point to the consumer. This makes it great for dense downtown networks and event venues, but not for covering sparsely populated, far-flung rural communities. Mid-band spectrum like CBRS and C-Band go further and have better propagation properties, so will be rolled out in more widespread areas where major cellular carriers have a footprint.

Older satellite technology uses satellites in geosynchronous orbit, and have not been a good solution for several reasons, including pricing, slower speeds and a significant delay between when a signal is transmitted and when it is received (latency). Newer low-earth-orbit satellites like Starlink (from SpaceX) provide faster speeds and latency that is closer to a wired connection. However, there is still a question about the viability of the business model over time, and whether speeds can be maintained as more subscribers sign up.

    • Broadband Feasibility

We and our team of partners conduct a wide-ranging feasibility study specifically designed for your situation. We identify the best opportunities for your broadband services and determine the technology best suited to support it.

    • Project Management

Our team provides you with solutions for deploying broadband. We work with you to develop a strategic plan and identify the best solution for your network based on your requirements.

    • Design and Engineering

Our team of experts design and engineer a broadband solution that will meet your unique needs and be implemented in a timely and cost-effective manner.

    • Construction

We have the resources available for any size project, and handle all local, state, and federal ordinances and contract requirements for your build. We can also provide state-of-the-art equipment to  ensure that your network performs at optimum specifications and meets all FCC regulations.

If someone else is handling your device activation, email, diagnostics, end-user technical support or other managed services, ZCorum will make transitions painless and successful. We will work with you and your current or former provider if needed, to ensure your transition to ZCorum services is painless and straightforward.

Currently there are 22 states with some form of blocking on municipal network ownership but not all of the limitations are a full roadblock. With the digital divide more a problem than ever, many states are rethinking their policies and revising or eliminating these roadblocks completely.

 

Deployment

Several steps are necessary to ensure the transition is developed in the most effective, efficient and economical way. Our project approach is key to the successful completion of every project. Projects are implemented in a “phased-in approach” by splitting up the project into the individual phases, each with its own tasks and deliverables. During deployment our operational services provide the resources needed to manage your broadband services, from installing drops and equipment for new subscribers, to maintaining your network stability and dispatching service technicians if there is a problem in implementation.

Switching your managed services over to ZCorum requires completing a series of actions in a specific order to ensure that everything transfers over properly. ZCorum is with you every step of the way. Though it is a process, it is completely attainable within your needed time frame. Once we receive all the necessary data from you, usually a 30 to 45 day process, the implementation takes place overnight during a maintenance window. This process is approximately 12 hours with no down time and no outages on your network.

We can typically have service installed within 30 to 45 days of contract signing. Once we’ve received all necessary data from you it takes about 12 to 24 hours to complete the installation and have you up and running.

ZCorum includes up to five email accounts per user with our full-service offering. Subscribers can access their email via our webmail application, or through an email client such as Outlook Express or Thunderbird.

 

Post-Deployment

When your broadband network is ready, our managed will help you operate more efficiently and economically. A few of the services we provide are residential and commercial VoIP, hosted email, device provisioning, network monitoring, and engineering assistance. Our patented TruVizion diagnostics suite increases the efficiency of your troubleshooting issues and reduces operational costs.

The Post Deployment Full Service Solution is for operators that require time to focus on their core business like new video and voice services, plant maintenance, and marketing and sales activities. This bundle includes provisioning your network, handling primary and secondary DNS for you, hosting your subscriber’s email accounts, and providing 24 x 7 technical support for your customers.

You’ll also receive up to five hours of engineering assistance per month, and 24 x 7 x 365 network monitoring. You will have access to TruVizion, our patented, web-based application that provides comprehensive diagnostics for DOCSIS networks, and compatible GPON and DSL networks.

And yes, most of our services, from diagnostics to end-user support, are available a la carte. So no matter what your goals are, our team will work with you to put together a managed services package that will help your company operate profitably.

 

 

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