January 2022 Construction Update
The New Year has begun, permits are being secured and fiber construction is officially underway for MEC fiber internet. Below is a quick look at what lies ahead in 2022.
FYI: Like with all construction projects, dates are subject to change. We send updates every winter, spring, summer, and fall to keep you informed on progress. Please be aware that home installations can take several months to complete for all customers.
- Fawn River in White Pigeon, Hoffman and Long Lake in Three Rivers, Adams Subdivision on Little Crooked Lake in Dowagiac, 28th and 29th Street in Brady Township, and Osborn Street in Cassopolis: Construction is complete, and home installs are underway.
- Palisades Area and Blue Star Highway in Covert: Mainline construction has started. We anticipate in-home installations to begin in March.
- Sturgis and Featherstone in White Pigeon: Mainline construction is beginning. In-home installations tentatively begin in the second quarter (Q2).
- Eau Claire, Sister Lakes in Dowagiac, Davis Lake in Edwardsburg, and Tecumseh: We are still working to secure permits but remain hopeful to begin mainline construction soon. Home installs will tentatively begin in Q2.
- Bainbridge in Benton Harbor, Woodstock in Onsted, and Nottawa in Centreville: Walkout work is finished in these areas, and we are working on permitting. We hope to begin home installs by the third quarter (Q3).
- Oronoko in Berrien Springs and Mendon: Walkout work is complete, and permits are pending. We plan to break ground on mainline construction during Q3. Home installs should begin in the fourth quarter (Q4).
- Seneca in Hudson: Walkout work is complete, and permits are being secured. We've begun mainline construction and anticipate installs to start in Q4.
Key Terms in the Fiber Construction Process
Walkout Work: Involves surveying the area to decide how to lay fiber lines.
Mainline Construction: The mainline represents the backbone of our fiber infrastructure and carries fiber out into our communities.
Mainline Splicing: Connects the fiber cables together along this backbone.
Drop Construction (or Service Drop): We bring the fiber from the mainline to your property/home and install a network interface device (NID) on your property near the electric meter.
Drop Splice: We connect the mainline fiber to the service drop and the fiver cables inside the NID. This is the last step before home installation.
For more information about the fiber construction process, please review this short video: