We’ve gotten the questions about it, and we now have some details we can share including a potential timeframe for work to begin!
Along with the price decrease negotiated by the Association, thanks to the efforts of the Ad Hoc Commission that worked on the cable and internet contract renewal, replacement of the coaxial cable network with fiber as the primary source of video and internet service was considered. This has not yet been formally approved by the Board, as we negotiated the details and reviewed potential construction plans for the effort. This will include opening up walls in most units and installing new equipment in all units, so there’s been quite a bit to review.
With or without the agreed wiring plan, we did push ASTOUND to implement the price decrease March 1st. Originally they only agreed to the price decrease once the fiber network went live. They agreed with management that there were too many variables outside of the Association’s control, and capitulated to making the price adjustment concurrent with the Association’s new budget year, starting March 1st.
Also, we can now announce we expect the Board to formally consider an agreement with ASTOUND for the fiber installation plans at the next Board Meeting, Monday March 11th. Assuming the effort is approved as negotiated, work could began as soon as the 2nd or 3rd week of May 2024. If that happens, installation of new equipment for the fiber service could occur as soon as August. It would be possible that all units would have access to the agreed to 1 GIG upload and 1 GIG download of service by September.
Assuming the agreement is approved, detailed schedules will be put together as quickly as possible and shared with all residents and Owners. We will outline the expected timeframe for the construction work and when we will need access to the units to do wiring. We can’t yet speak to the schedule for installation of equipment, but that will not take place until after the fiber infrastructure is installed. However, it will take about 15 working days from the moment ASTOUND enters a unit to begin the fiber installation process, to the day we expect to finish.
The fiber lines will be run in the chase serving the HVAC Risers. These are the plumbing risers that serve the convectors units which heat and cool your home. There are 17 such risers, but we will only need to access 11 of them to get fiber into every unit. This is because some risers serve two units. (Such as the riser we recently had a leak on, the ’01/’03 riser – it serves the ’01 guest bedroom and the ’03 studios.) Thanks to dual unit risers like this, we will not have to make openings in every single unit. Those where we do make openings, will be closed up and painted. Those we do not will only have a small opening made for the fiber line junction box that will be installed in every unit.
THIS IS A LOT…I know, but our team wanted to bring everyone up to speed and answer some of the questions we’ve been getting. More will be coming, and most importantly detailed schedules for the work.
One other question we’ve gotten…
Since the contract will be allowing up to 1 GIG Uploads and 1 GIG Downloads, if we presently pay for a 1 GIG upgrade, will the charge for that go away?
YES! In fact, anyone who presently has speed upgrades to 1 Gig will see that charge go away once the network goes live.
Feel free to share any other questions you may have, at parktowercondo-mgmt@habitat.com.
Stay tuned!