Broadband Chesterfield is committed to providing all residents of Chesterfield with the opportunity t0 access to high-speed broadband in an affordable and sustainable manner. The Chesterfield Municipal Light Plant will operate the network on behalf of the Town.
Drop Policy and Rate Schedule
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For general questions about broadband service or technical support:
To sign up for service: www.whipcityfiber.com/chesterfield For questions about Broadband Chesterfield: email:  mlpmanager@townofchesterfieldma.com
The Chesterfield Municipal Light Plant (or MLP) was created by vote of Town residents to oversee the design, construction, and operation of a high-speed fiber-optic network to be owned by the Town of Chesterfield. The MLP has a MLP Manager and a MLP Board. The job of the MLP Manager is to oversee the operations of the MLP. The function of the MLP Board is to decide policy and make decisions for the MLP. The budget and finances of the MLP is handled through an Enterprise Fund.The network and billing is handled by Westfield Gas and Electric/Whip City who is our Network Manager and Internet Service Provider.
Slow Speed?
Watching TV on the Internet
History of Broadband
Our broadband network will use fiber-optic cables to connect your house to the internet. Fiber cable is made of glass and has an almost unlimited capacity to transmit data. The devices in your house (computer, television, security system, game console, etc.) connect through a router to the Broadband Chesterfield network on the street and our network connects to the internet and the world. The Broadband Chesterfield network will be owned by the Town and will be administered by the Chesterfield MLP (Municipal Light Plant) and serviced by an ISP (internet service provider).
Additional Information
Fiber-optic networks are many times faster than conventional copper wire (DSL) or coaxial (cable). Speed is measured in megabits per second and is expressed as speed of download (from the network to your computer) and upload (from your computer to the network). Typically, DSL operates at about 3 to 7 megabits/second. Fiber-optic operates at 1000 megabits/second! Below is a chart that shows the difference. There is also evidence that companies are curtailing DSL service.
Batttery Backup
Medical Devices and Alarm Systems
What is the connection between Broadband and Celular Telephone or Satellite? - Broadband delivers internet service only. It is not connected in any way with Celular Telephone (ATT or Verizon), Comcast, Verizon "landline" telephone service, or satellite TV or satellite internet service (Hughsnet). However, any service that can be delivered through internet (such as streaming video/TV or Internet Phone Service) could be could be used in conjunction with Broadband.
Glossary
Using Cell Phones with Broadband
Glossary Broadband – a system that allows for very high-speed connection to the internet MLP (Municipal Light Plant) – a local entity created in order to provide services to residents Make-ready – the process of preparing poles to receive fiber optic cable Megabit/second – a measure of network speed equal to 1000 kilobits/second Gigabit/second – a measure of network speed equal to 1000 megabits/second ISP (internet service provider) – a company that connects the town-owned network to the internet and provides service and repairs Fiber optic cable – a very fine (slightly larger than a human hair) strand of glass that uses light to transmit data DSL – a network that uses the copper wires also used for telephone service Router – the device that allows multiple devices to be connected to a single broadband network interface Take Rate – the percentage of homes that subscribe to broadband service Wired West – a cooperative of town MLPs joining together for operational efficiencies and cost savings.  The co-op is governed by delegates from the member towns for the purpose of delivering high quality broadband service to all residents of member towns Streaming – the process of accessing live audio/video through the internet Pole Survey - inspection of poles to see which need modification or replacement
What is the history of Broadband in Western Massachusetts and what is the role of Wired West?When the Commonwealth of Massachusetts decided to bring broadband to Western Massachusetts, they created the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (or MBI) to build a "Middle Mile" that would bring broadband to each town. The Middle Mile runs down major routes connecting towns to the internet "backbone" in major cities. This has been accomplished and was paid for by the Commonwealth. The "Final Mile" (extending the Middle Mile down each town road past every house) has still to be built and the Commonwealth decided that this must be paid for by the Towns. WiredWest was created as a volunteer organization to build the Final Mile as a regional network. Twenty-four towns passed spending authorizations to fund the Final Mile. WiredWest ran a campaign to get 40% or more of residents to sign up with a $49 deposit years in advance of an anticipated network as a show of support. In December 2015, MBI changed course and advocated for each town to build and own its own network. In response to complaints from many towns, the Governor stepped in and re-organized the Commonwealth’s effort. The new regime was more flexible for towns, but placed a greater burden on the towns in that now each town was responsible for the design and construction of their own network. In April, 2017 the Commonwealth offered grants to towns to assist in the initial "make ready" and design of each town's network. Chesterfield received a $890,000 grant from the Commonwealth to cover the cost of making our existing pole system ready to receive fiber. Once the "make ready" and design are complete, the Town can begin the actual construction of the network which it will then own. The network will be administered by the Chesterfield Municipal Light Plant (MLP), which will be responsible for setting rates and working with an internet service provider (ISP) to service and maintain the network. Information on refund of your $49 deposit.
Abut Broadband
Router Troubleshooting (pdf)
Progress of Network Build
FSA Map
Videos
About Broadband
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Check out The Streamable - a website with information about streaming services.  They also have a “matchmaker” that matches you up with a service depending on which channels you watch.
UPS Information Sheet (pdf)
Keeping Internet and Phone Working When the Power Goes OutRevised 1/15/21 Please note that internet-based phone service is not for everyone.  If you are dependent on your landline for a medical device or alarm monitoring, you should carefully research your options before switching to an internet-based phone system. Living in Chesterfield, power outages are inevitable. That’s why we built the Chesterfield Broadband network hub with both battery backup power and an automatic propane generator to keep the network running even during extended power outages. However, that means that even though there is internet up to your home, the equipment in your home (which is powered from your house electricity) won't work and you will lose both internet and phone service (if you have our OOMA phone service).  If you already have a home backup generator, you are all set as long as the generator is powering the circuit that the Broadband equipment is on! If you don’t have a backup generator, you may want to consider purchasing a battery pack called an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) into which you plug your Internet and telephone equipment so it keeps working when the Eversource power is out.  You need to provide backup power for the ONT (small white box that may be located in the basement or on the first floor), the WiFi Router (usually on the first floor near the middle of your house), Ooma Telo (flat black box with a blue logo), and your cordless telephone base station, unless you use the Ooma HD3 handset or an old wired phone. If this equipment is all in one place, you will just need one UPS. If some is in the basement and some on the first floor (or other configurations), you will need a separate UPS for each location. Many retailers that carry computer or electronic accessories (e.g., Amazon, Staples) sell UPS battery devices ranging in price from $40 to $200 or more, depending on how long you want to keep things running. Battery Backup for Home EquipmentFirst you need to decide if you need a battery backup (UPS).  Since most power outages in Chesterfield last just a few hours, you may decide that you are fine with no internet and just your mobile phone.  However, if you need the internet or the house phone to be operational, you may decide on purchasing a UPS unless you have a backup generator. What size UPS do I need?The choice of a UPS unit depends on two things: how much power it needs to supply, and for how long.  It is important to note that more expensive UPS units may focus on providing higher maximum loads and not longer run-time. The easiest way to get more runtime is sometimes to purchase multiple less expensive units and plug each piece of equipment into its own UPS.EndFragment
What if I Have an Alarm System or Medical Monitoring Device?Revised 4/1/21   If you have an alarm system or medical alert device that uses the telephone to alert a central monitoring service and you are planning on switching to the Ooma telephone service offered with broadband, you need to take some steps to make sure they will work with the new system.  Many landline telephone dialers will not work with VOIP or internet telephone service. [if !mso] [endif]Please note that internet-based phone service is not for everyone.  If you are dependent on your landline for a medical device or alarm monitoring, you should carefully research your options before switching to an internet-based phone system.  Remember, you are not obligated to use Ooma.  That is the VOIP service offered as part of Broadband Chesterfield, but you can use any other VOIP service you want by contracting with that service on your own.   [if !mso] [endif] YOU SHOULD CHECK WITH THE SERVICE THAT YOU USE AND DISCUSS VARIOUS OPTIONS WITH THEM. It may be that you decide that the Ooma telephone system is not a good choice for you. I called my alarm company recently and they gave me the following information for an alarm system only – they do not offer medical monitoring services.   [if !supportLists]·       [endif]I would need to have a cellular dialer installed in the place of my landline dialer.  With installation, this would cost about $300.  The monitoring service would increase $10/month for basic service and to $15/month for premium service that allowed me to monitor and control my alarm system from my mobile phone.[if !supportLists]·       [endif]My landline service costs about $95/month.  If I switch to Ooma service at $14.95/month+fees (call it $20/month) that would save me around $900/year.  This would more than offset the cost of a cellular dialer. Another option is to use a system designed for use with a VOIP system like those offered by a company called Ring (www.ring.com).EndFragment
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You will have three things to power:[if !supportLists]1.     [endif]The ONT uses only 10 watts. [if !supportLists]2.     [endif]The WiFi router uses 30 watts. [if !supportLists]3.     [endif]The OOMA Telo (if you have the telephone service) is 10 watts.   Here is one example of a typical configuration: [if !supportLists]·       [endif]NID (Network Interface Device) on outside of house – No power needed [if !supportLists]·       [endif]ONT (Optical Network Terminal) in basement or mechanical room – needs a UPS supplying 10 watts [if !supportLists]·       [endif]Router and Ooma (if phone service) inside the house - needs a UPS supplying 40 watts   The APC model BE550G costs about $70 on Amazon, and APC says it will power 50 watts for about 60 minutes.The APC model BE425G costs about $50 on Amazon, and APC says it will power 10 watts for about 3 hours. But what if I want to keep everything running for many hours or days?UPS battery backup systems are designed for brief power outages. If you want to keep the power on for hours or days, the best approach is a combination of a UPS for short-term standby power, and a generator for long-term power. When your electrical contractor is designing your generator setup, be sure they know that your Internet and telephone equipment are crucial appliances that need to be powered during an outage.What will happen if I don’tget a UPS? If you decide not to get a UPS, you will immediately lose internet and Ooma telephone if the power goes out.  You possibly may need to reset or log into the system when the power comes back on.What will happen if I do get a UPS? When the power goes out (even for a few minutes) your internet and Ooma telephone will continue working for as long as the UPS maintains power.  Remember that your computer generally has battery power, but your television does not. NOTE:  You might want to wait to see how your broadband equipment is configured (all together in one place or in two locations) before deciding on a UPS.EndFragment
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For streaming to work, you need three things:[if !supportLists]1.     [endif]A high-speed internet connection – Provided by Broadband Chesterfield [if !supportLists]2.    [endif]A “Smart” TV or a regular TV with a streaming device [if !supportLists]3.    [endif]A streaming service [if !supportLists]a.     [endif]Packaged service that bundles channels together (like satellite TV).  Here you pay one monthly charge and get access to a set list of channels [if !supportLists]b.    [endif]OR subscriptions to individual services.  Here you choose the channels you want and subscribe just to those channels.   Here are some Frequently asked Questions about Streaming: How much do Streaming services cost?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]That depends on the type of service you get.  Packaged services range in cost from about $65/month to $10/month.  Individual services range from about $5/month to $15/month each. What channels can I get over the internet?[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Individual Services – (partial list as of 1/2021) PBS - $5/month or $60/year subscription to PBS Passport.  www.pbs.org            Public Broadcasting content like Masterpiece, PBS Newshour, Downton Abbey, etc. Aljazeera – World news, interesting documentaries, commentary on economy, climate, world politics.  Free.  www.aljazeera.com Britbox – British television shows like Poirot, Wallander, Father Brown, etc. $6.99/month – www.britbox.com Acorn – British television like A Place to Call Home, Doc Martin, etc. $5.99 – www.acorn.tv. Criterion – a wonderful collection for film buffs.  Hitchcock, Scorsese, Bergman, Rohmer, etc. $10.99/month.  www.criterion.com  NBC – www.nbc.com CBS – www.cbs.com ABC – www.abc.com NESN – www.nesn.com CNN – www.cnn.com [if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Cheddar Cinemax CMT CNBC CNN Comedy Central Cooking Channel Destination America Discovery Channel Disney Channel Disney Junior Disney XD DIY E! EPIX ESPN ESPN 2EndFragment    
Partial list of channels available from streaming services.EndFragment
ESPNEWS ESPNU Food Network Fox Business Fox News Fox Sports 1 Fox Sports 2 Freeform FX FX Movies FXX FYI Golf Channel Hallmark HBO HGTV History HLN IFC Investigation Discovery Lifetime Lifetime MovieEndFragment    
ABC CBS Fox NBC PBS A&E ACC Network AMC Animal Planet BBC America BBC World News BET Big Ten Network Bloomberg TV Boomerang Bravo Cartoon Network CBS Sports Network EndFragment
MLB Network Motor Trend MSNBC MTV MTV2 National Geographic Nat Geo Wild NBA TV NBC Sports Network Newsy NFL Network NFL Red Zone NHL Network Nickelodeon Nick Jr. Nicktoons OWN Oxygen Paramount Network ScienceEndFragment    
SEC Network Showtime Smithsonian Starz Sundance TV Syfy TBS TCM Telemundo Tennis Channel TLC TNT Travel Channel TruTV TV Land USA Network VH1 Weather Channel WE tv EndFragment
Amazon Fire TV
Roku
These are some of the devices that will turn a regular TV into a “smart” TV.  Click on the name of each device for more information.
Apple TV
Google Chromecast
How do I access these services?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]Once you select a service, you can use your TV remote to add the service to your television.  Instructions should be included with your TV or with the streaming device.  Note: Not all services offer all channels.  You will need to do some research to see which services are best for you.   How do I know if my TV is a smart TV?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]The easiest way to know if you have a smart TV is to check your remote and menu options for an Apps section. See if it has apps like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix or Hulu. Also, see if there is a menu section for network connections such as WiFi or an Ethernet port on the back of the TV.   Which is cheaper – individual services or a package service?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]This depends on how many channels you want.  I wanted PBS, Acorn, Criterion, and Britbox and this came to about $30 a month.  I compared this to the package service YouTubeTV at $65 (the only one that included PBS).  However, if you chose more individual services, you might find the package was cheaper.   If I don’t have a “smart” TV why do I need the streaming device?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]Basically, a “smart” TV has a streaming device built in so it can receive the WIFI signal directly from the router.  If you have a regular TV, you will need a streaming device, like Apple TV or Hulu that will provide the ability to receive the WIFI signal from the router. EndFragment
Should I keep my DishTVor DirectTV service as well as Streaming? [if !supportLists]·      [endif]You can.  Since streaming is month-to-month, you can always try it out and see if you like it before cancelling your satellite service.   Can I use the internet to stream TV to my tablet or phone?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]Yes.  Your “smart” TV (or TV with a smart device attached) is just like a computer.  This means that your tablet, computer, or phone can stream TV just like your television.   Can more than one person stream at a time?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]Yes.  Some services allow more than one login per family.  See chart above.   Can I record shows?[if !supportLists]·      [endif]Yes, some services allow the use of Cloud DVR (digital video recording). Using a digital antenna to capture broadcast TV  [if gte vml 1]>
How Fast Is Fast Enough? People are reporting 99% satisfaction with broadband service.  Comments have been very complimentary about the installation process, the safety and dedication of the technicians, and the speed of the new service.  “Light years difference in speed!” and “Welcome to the 21st. century in Chesterfield” are comments I have gotten.  I have also gotten a couple of emails from customers in FSA 3 who have just gotten broadband and have written to say that they are experiencing slower than normal speeds.  We want you to have the best speed possible and so I have put together a few points about issues that might affect speed.  Remember, however, that there are many factors that can affect speed and the important thing is to have sufficient speed for what you want to do with broadband.   First, there are two speeds: the speed being delivered to your house and the speed on the devices you are using.  The speed being delivered to your house is tested and recorded by the technician at the time of installation.  This speed is optimum for the network.  Second, once the signal leaves the router and is received by your devices (laptop, television, tablet, phone, etc.) there are several things that might affect the speed. [if !supportLists]1.     [endif]Router location in the home [if !supportLists]a.     [endif]In this case, a technician should return and find a better location for your router. [if !supportLists]2.    [endif]Older Equipment or operating systems  [if !supportLists]a.     [endif]If you have an older computer, it might not have the hardware or software to deliver the speeds offered by broadband.  If this is a problem, you might have to update your equipment. [if !supportLists]3.    [endif]Competing routers [if !supportLists]a.     [endif]If you have a router for DSL or other service, it can compete with the broadband router and reduce speed. [if !supportLists]4.    [endif]Home having brick or other impeding structures [if !supportLists]a.     [endif]Sometimes older homes have building components that can interfere with a WIFI signal.  A different router location or other solutions can solve this. [if !supportLists]5.    [endif]Being far from the router [if !supportLists]a.     [endif]Devices that are far away from the router might run slower than ones closer to the router.  Either the device should be moved closer to the router or the router may need to be relocated.  [if !supportLists]6.    [endif]Having many devices on at once or using devices during primetime (5 pm – 11pm)  [if !supportLists]7.     [endif]Cables vs WIFI – Connections over ethernet cables is faster than over WIFI.  Also, broken or damaged cables can slow speeds. [if !supportLists]8.    [endif]Malware on your device [if !supportLists]9.    [endif]Web Browser used – Internet Explorer is often difficult to have steady speeds or connection.  Also, Chromebooks may not operate at the same speed as a laptop. [if !supportLists]10. [endif]Running speed tests on servers that are outside Whip City Fiber range[if !supportLists]a.     [endif]Speed tests can vary and deliver varying results depending on the location of the server performing the test. [if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Do you have poor cell phone coverage at your house?  Did you know that you can use your new broadband internet service with your cell phone?  Normally, a cell phone uses the cellular network that requires a good connection to a cell tower.  However, you can also set your cell phone to use the internet instead to make and receive calls.  Here’s how (this is from Apple and Verizon, so you should do additional research to make sure it is right for you):
Using Your Cell Phone with the Broadband Internet[if gte vml 1]> Cellular. [if !supportLists]2.     [endif]If your iPhone has Dual SIM, choose a line (below Cellular Plans). [if !supportLists]3.     [endif]Tap Wi-Fi Calling, then turn on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone. [if !supportLists]4.     [endif]Enter or confirm your address for emergency services. Note: Emergency calls on your iPhone are routed through cellular service when available. In the event that cellular service isn’t available, and you have enabled Wi-Fi Calling, emergency calls may be made over Wi-Fi, and your device’s location information may be used for emergency calls to aid response efforts, regardless of whether you enable Location Services. Some carriers may use the address you registered with the carrier when signing up for Wi-Fi Calling as your location. When connected to Wi-Fi calling, your iPhone may not receive emergency alerts.  Make calls using Wi-Fi on an Android (from Verizon.com)Wi-Fi Calling allows you to make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi network when cellular isn't available.  Select phones are capable of Wi-Fi Calling, allowing you to make and receive domestic or international calls over a Wi-Fi network, even if you're not in Verizon coverage.  An even better advantage is if you have service issues while indoors like dropped or failed calls, Wi-Fi calling helps with those problems by routing your call over your internet connection securely and with amazing clarity!!  To begin using Wi-Fi calling, you'll need a compatible device that's connected to a Wi-Fi network, and on an Android device HD Calling must be enabled. Setup is simple:Go to Settings.Advanced calling.and enable Wi-fi Calling.HD calling should already be enabled prior to completing these steps.After enabling, you'll be asked to enter an address in order to appropriately route emergency calls.Then, all you have to do is dial!Once the feature is enabled you'll know your call is connecting over Wi-Fi by the "Wi-Fi calling" icon seen here. Calls will use the cellular network if available to provide you the most reliable experience.EndFragment
We have a new MLP Board!It is my pleasure to announce that the Chesterfield Select Board has appointed a five-person MLP board to oversee the operation of the Chesterfield Broadband network.  The members are: Mr. Roger Fuller (Select Board) Mr. Larry Cervelli (Finance Committee) Ms. Kady von Schoeler (at large) Mr. Jeff Frechette (at large) Mr. Joe Gazillo (at large) We had nine people volunteer for the board and I want to thank them for their willingness to serve on this important board.  I am sorry we could not use all of them!