What is Lamoille FiberNet?
Lamoille FiberNet, or “LFCUD” is a Vermont Communications Union District (CUD). A CUD is an organization of two or more towns that join together as a municipality to build communication infrastructure together. More information on Vermont’s CUDs can be found . Lamoille FiberNet CUD includes the towns of Belvidere, Cambridge, Eden, Elmore, Hyde Park, Johnson, Morristown, Stowe, Waterville and Wolcott.
How is Lamoille FiberNet governed?
Lamoille FiberNet has a governing board made up of representatives from each member town. The board makes decisions by vote in meetings that are open to the public. Lamoille FiberNet representatives for each town are appointed by their town’s Select Board. The current board roster, officers, and LFCUD staff members can be found here. Information about meeting times, agendas, and minutes can be found here.
Why do we need a CUD?
It’s more efficient and profitable for Internet service providers (ISPs) to serve densely populated areas ‒ consequently, a rural state like Vermont has many underserved areas. Towns join CUDs to marshal their forces, pursue grants and other funding opportunities, and present more attractive business opportunities to ISPs. Each member town has equal representation on the governing board and thus an equal voice in the network design and the selection of ISP.
Will Lamoille FiberNet cause my taxes to increase?
Absolutely not! Vermont CUDs have no authority to levy taxes. As a municipal organization, each CUD must obtain funding via grants, gifts, bonds or loans backed by revenues from the operation of the CUD or the CUD assets. See 30 V.S.A. § 3056 for more detail.
How fast will the internet service be?
Lamoille FiberNet aspires to providing a minimum of 100Mbps download and upload speeds to unserved [JC1] and underserved addresses in our district. (The State’s definition of underserved is service that delivers less than 25Mbps download speed.) We will build our network with fiber-optic cables that have the capacity to deliver speeds in excess of 2Gbps.
How can I sign up for internet broadband from Lamoille FiberNet?
Our buildout will happen in phases ‒ we will offer broadband in specific areas, gradually building into other areas. Sign up for our newsletter, follow us on social media, or check out our website for the latest updates. Please contact info@lamoillefiber.net for more information.
Where can I learn more about Vermont’s Communications Union Districts?
The Vermont Department of Public Service has a website dedicated to information on CUDs as well as a current map of all active districts.
Additional frequently asked questions pertaining to CUDs can be found on the Vermont Dept. of Public Service website found here.