Frequently Asked Questions

As with any utility, having the most capable and reliable infrastructure provides more value to the community and its residents. Connecting Pioneer members to fiber brings big benefits to residences and businesses! In our rural communities, you’ll have big-city speeds at your door.

Internet speeds up to 1,000 Mbps (1 GIG) allow ample bandwidth for running multiple wireless devices at the same time, 4K streaming video, advanced gaming, life-like video chatting, telemedicine, distance learning, running a business, work-from-home and more! Not to mention an increase in property value (3.1%), according to a Fiber Broadband Association study. This fiber investment prepares our communities for the future of technology.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Pioneer Connect is dedicating significant funds to fiber scoping, planning and construction in the coming years. While it will be a multi-year process, we’re thrilled to bring our members and neighbors next-generation speeds. Submit your information on our new site to keep up with our fiber expansion.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Pioneer is upgrading our network to fiber and decommissioning the old copper network.  There are several reasons for this, including the copper network is aging, providing faster speeds for this ever-changing digital world, and network reliability.  Because of that, your service will need to be converted to fiber.  However, even though we’re converting you to fiber, at this time, you do NOT have to make any changes* to the services you currently subscribe to.

*Please note: in the future, if you make changes to your internet plan or bundle, you will need to change your internet plan to one of the current fiber plans. Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Pioneer Connect fiber is a state-of-the-art fiber optic infrastructure that brings fiber service right to your home. It is the most current technology available and is “future-proof” providing reliable, secure and fast internet connection. Fiber can deliver ultra-fast internet connections, up to 1000 Mbps (1 GIG), advanced entertainment, and local phone service.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Not necessarily. While a telephone line is still required for customers on DSL, fiber customers do not require a phone line for internet service.

You can register interest for fiber by submitting your address here. We will be sure to notify you of new services available in your area. Submitting interest is not a commitment or contract for service but is an important part of our fiber project to help identify areas of member interest.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Internet bandwidth is the amount of information that can be transmitted over a connection in a measured amount of time. Bandwidth is measured in megabits per second (Mbps).

Wi-Fi refers to a network available in your home or business which allows your devices to connect to the internet wirelessly.

While we’re working outside and bringing the fiber to your home, you will not need to be home. Once construction is complete, we will work with you to coordinate a time that we can install the rest of the required equipment inside your home.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Pioneer Connect buries the fiber line whenever possible to protect the fiber optic cable from weather and accidental cuts that can occur when it is installed aerially (or overhead — similar to electric lines). Your satisfaction is our top priority. In the unlikely event that we need to dig in your yard, we guarantee we will leave the area in the same, if not better condition.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Because we do not disconnect your old copper wiring until the fiber installation is completed (equipment installed at your home), you should not experience any service interruption.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

A small box, known as an Optical Network Terminal (ONT), will be placed inside or outside of your home/business. It contains the electronics that convert a signal of light from the fiber into usable phone and internet. In case of a power outage, a battery backup box will be installed to supply power to the ONT. For additional information on battery backup, see “What happens when the power goes out”. (Pioneer will need access to an electrical outlet, per electrical code specifications).

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

During a power outage, your home/business phone will not work unless you have a backup generator or an uninterrupted power supply (UPS). Without a backup battery or alternate backup source such as a generator, you will not be able to make any calls from the home line, including emergency calls to 911.

Rest assured, in case of a power outage and as part of your service, Pioneer will install a battery backup providing up to 8 hours backup on “standby” power. This will provide approximately 4-6 hours of “talk” time. This will ensure you do not lose the ability to make an emergency call to 911 if needed. If you feel that is not enough time, you may extend your standby power by purchasing additional batteries to provide you with a total of 24-hours of backup.

Please note: The battery backup only provides power to your fiber optic equipment. It DOES NOT provide power to your internet router, home devices, security systems, medical monitoring devices, or cordless phones.

No, your phone service will not change. Fiber provides a crystal-clear quality, with little to no interference. Additionally, you can use the same telephone equipment that you currently have so there’s no new equipment that you will need to purchase or install.

As we upgrade our network to fiber in your neighborhood, your current technology from the street to your home will need to be upgraded. No worries though, Pioneer Connect will cover 100% of the cost to bring fiber to you AND your neighborhood! This is a win-win, as fiber connectivity can increase your home’s property value by 3.1% (Fiber Broadband Association study)

If you are not a current customer and you choose to opt-out of having fiber installed, we would like to install the conduit to the home while our construction crews are in the area. This will ensure if you want service in the future, we can deliver it without you incurring additional cost to deliver this state-of-the-art service to your home.

If you chose not to have the conduit installed to your home while we’re in your neighborhood, and later decide you would like to subscribe to fiber services from Pioneer Connect, you may incur additional cost for construction necessary to bring the fiber from the street to your home.

If you are a current customer, your service must be converted to fiber as we are decommissioning our copper network.  Someone from the Pioneer Connect team or our partner contractor will stop by and talk to you about the conversion.  No worries, if you don’t want to change* the services that you’re paying for, you’re not required to change your phone or internet plan.

*Please note: in the future, if you make changes to your internet plan or bundle, you will need to change your internet plan to one of the current fiber plans. Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

Yes! This service will be available to both homes and businesses.

*Please note: Fiber expansion plans and the numerical order in which construction may be completed are subject to change due to a number of factors that can include weather, funding, and supply issues.

It is! We do not have data caps, offering all internet customers the freedom and flexibility to be online without limits.

Absolutely not! Pioneer Connect does not sell your information or contact details. It will only be used in helping us with fiber deployment and to communicate with you when the time comes to bring fiber to your neighborhood.