FAQ’s regarding Fibre to the Home

Below are answers to common questions with regards to our fibre projects.

Will this construction cost me anything?

The cost to install buried fibre to your home is covered by the joint project between Brooke Telecom, SWIFT and the Provincial Government. Please return permission forms as soon as possible to ensure construction can be completed while the team is in your area. Once this project is completed, future installations may be subject to charges to extend facilities to new locations.

Where will the line be installed?

All main construction will take place on the road allowance. After signed consent is received, fibre will be buried in the most direct route to the desired entry point at the home with consideration given to the location of buried infrastructure or other obstacles. Lines are buried 12”-18” deep on residential property.
Who is responsible for locating stuff that is buried in the ground?
Our contractor will be calling in standard locates for all infrastructure using Ontario One Call who will locate Hydro, Gas, Bell Canada and Waterlines.  Any private infrastructure (ex. propane lines, drainage tile, septic systems, irrigation systems, off premise extensions, etc.) are not covered by Ontario One Call and are the responsibility of the owner to identify.  We are asking homeowners to clearly indicate any private infrastructure on their property as part of the construction permission form so these can be avoided during construction.

What is the Pink Flag for?

The pink flag indicates to our contractor where you want the fibre to come into your home.  Often this will be a location near where hydro enters the home close to the electrical panel or where the router will be located in the home.  During service installation, we will install a box on the outside of the home for the fibre and drill into the home to install equipment that requires power and grounding.
Does this require a contract?
Returning the signed permission form allows us to bring fibre to your house. There is no obligation to sign up for any services (though it may be hard to resist!). We do not require contracts for any of our home services.

What services will be available?

Brooke Telecom offers internet, IPTV, telephone and mobile services (see brochure for details on services and optional bundle discounts for members). We offer internet speeds up to 5 Gig with unlimited usage. All internet packages include managed WIFI, tech support, as well as protection for people in your household as well as your devices.

When will I have service?

Construction is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2026.

As the main fibre lines are installed along your road, our contractor will bury the residential service lines to individual homes at the same time. Once the new lines are connected to our network, a technician will install a small enclosure box on the outside of your home and leave an information package with details on how to contact us to schedule your in-home service installation.

Please note that the exact timing will vary by location, depending on weather, construction progress, and network readiness. We’ll keep residents informed as the project moves forward.

What is the advantage of fibre over wireless, satellite, or copper internet?

Fibre internet has several key advantages that make it the best option for speed, reliability, and long-term performance:
• Faster Speeds & Greater Capacity – Fibre can carry much more data at much higher speeds, even over long distances meaning faster downloads, smoother streaming, and the ability to use multiple devices at once.  With a current maximum capacity of 5 Gig, our fibre internet service can meet all your data hungry apps.
• More Reliable – Fibre is not affected by temperature changes, severe weather, moisture, or electromagnetic interference. Fibre is very resistant to outages and more consistent performance year-round.
• Future-Proof – Fibre networks are designed to handle future upgrades easily. As internet technologies advance, your fibre connection can support faster speeds without needing new lines.
• Low Latency – Fibre delivers data at the speed of light, reducing lag and delay—perfect for online meetings, gaming, or video calls.

Do you provide a router or do I have to buy a new one for WIFI?

As part of our service, we include our managed WIF service as part of the price.  This service provides worry free WIFI throughout your home with regular software updates, a self-managed app called CommandIQ as well as parental controls and protection for your devices.  Some larger homes may require additional access points to completely blanket your home with WIFI or outdoor access points for security cameras, poolside TVs or backyard scrolling. These additional units can be added for a monthly fee but are fully supported by Brooke Telecom’s technical team.  

Can I keep my existing land line number or cell number?

Yes, we can port your landline to a Brooke Telecom land line service and we can port any cell phone number to our cell phone service as well.  You get all the benefits of one bill and one company to deal with all of your communication needs as well as bundle discounts.

What is CommandIQ?

Command IQ is an app that you install on your mobile device to monitor and control your home network.  The app provides access to network security features, speed testing, parental controls, time limits for devices, and the ability to prioritize devices on your network.

If I have problems with my service, how do I get help?

Start with a phone call to our internet support line (519-844-2160 press 1). Our tech support team will work with you to resolve most issues over the phone.  If we need to send someone out to your home, most times we can have a technician on site within 24 to 48 hours.

What is the difference between Brooke Telecom Co-operative and all the other internet companies out there?

Brooke Telecom has been serving the communication needs of Lambton County since 1911 from our “Global headquarters” in Inwood, so we knew what a crank phone was before there were crank calls.  We are a Co-operative and are owned by our members and we either re-invest the profits into improving services for our members or we distribute them to members in the form of dividends.  In short, we are member focused not just profit driven.

Rural Fiber Project Internet Plan Costs	Construction Permission Forms