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Brigham City FAQs
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions about what is happening in Brigham City. If you have a question that isn't answered below, please click here to submit your question. (You'll be asked to provide your phone number so someone can get back with you personally.)
UTOPIA connections:
- How do I sign up, or who can I contact for questions and more information?
- How much does it cost to get connected to the UTOPIA network in Brigham City?
- What does the $25 a month pay for?
- Do I have to start paying as soon as I sign up?
- What if there aren’t enough people that decide to sign up; do I still have to pay?
- Can I pay more than $25 a month if I want to pay off the cost of my connection more quickly?
- What happens if I move? Do I still have to pay $25 a month, even if I’m not on the UTOPIA network anymore?
- What if I decide I want to sign up after the sign-up period ends?
- How many providers are offering services in Brigham City?
- What services are available?
- How much are services in Brigham City?
- What TV channels do you offer?
- How does it work if I have more than 1 TV and/or Computer in my home?
- Presently I have four TV sets in my home that get my programs. One of these is a DVD recorder. How is this provided for in your system?
- Why is Brigham City one of the UTOPIA cities?
- I heard about Brigham City’s pledge to back the UTOPIA network in the news. What is the purpose of those pledges?
- Some people in Brigham City are already connected. Why and what do they think about it?
- We’ve been hearing about UTOPIA for years. What’s the big rush now?
- I rent an apartment in a four plex , can I get connected?
- If UTOPIA is backed by taxpayer pledges, am I paying for UTOPIA twice?
- Is Honeyville part of any expansion after Brigham City?
UTOPIA connections:
How do I sign up, or who can I contact for questions and more information?
The best way is to call 1-888-342-3748 or email service@utopianet.org. You’ll be contacted right away by a community representative who will make an appointment at your convenience to explain how to make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to get connected.
How much does it cost to get connected to the UTOPIA network in Brigham City?
A traditional telecommunications bill includes two parts: a portion that pays for your actual services and a portion that pays for your infrastructure build. When you sign up for the UTOPIA network, you are separate those costs between your service provider bill and your monthly utility bill. The total costs of connecting to the UTOPIA network are covered on your utility bill – no more than $25 a month (or no more than $3000 total). As more customers sign up, the costs to get connected to the network go down. After the UTOPIA infrastructure costs are paid for, your community will own the network and all you’re left with is a bill for your services. On other networks, you’ll always be renting your infrastructure and financing builds for customers in other markets.
What does the $25 a month pay for?
The $25 a month connection costs are the infrastructure costs for the UTOPIA network: they pay to complete the network throughout the city in underground conduit or on utility poles that is used for other city infrastructure – also known as “access level” infrastructure; to connect your home or business to the access level infrastructure; an “access portal” in your home -- the small, electronic device that connects your computer, TV, and/or phone to the network; and the labor costs to connect one computer, TV, and your phone system to the network. All this work is financed through the bonds the city created, and your $25 will go toward paying back those bonds.
Do I have to start paying as soon as I sign up?
No. You are not obligated to begin paying, the bond payment or for services, until the network is operational and your house is receiving services.
What if there aren’t enough people that decide to sign up; do I still have to pay?
No. You will only see the monthly charge if enough people decide to get connected and your area is actually built. Otherwise you will see no change.
Can I pay more than $25 a month if I want to pay off the cost of my connection more quickly?
Yes. You are able to pay for your connection in whatever way works best for you. You can take advantage of city financing and pay $25 a month; you may pay more each month; pay of the remaining balance at any time after June of 2012; or pay the whole amount upfront (no more than $3000). You are free to choose whichever option best meets the needs of you and your family.
What happens if I move? Do I still have to pay $25 a month, even if I’m not on the UTOPIA network anymore?
No. Just like the other utilities or infrastructure, the connection cost for the UTOPIA network is tied to your property. If you decide to move, you have two choices about how to pay for the remaining portion of your UTOPIA connection: the title company may arrange for you to pay off the remainder when you sell your home or you can choose to transfer the monthly fee to the new owner. If you paid the entire connection cost up front, you may want to arrange for the remainder of the UTOPIA connection at your new home to paid off as part of the home sale.
What if I decide I want to sign up after the sign-up period ends?
The chance to take advantage of the city’s bond and financing is only available for a limited time – based on community interest – with a timeline to begin construction at the end of the year. After the window ends, those who want to get connected to the UTOPIA network will have to finance the connection costs themselves. Their connection cost will be applied to the city financing, so everyone in the city pays the same cost to get connected to the network. Brigham City may look into future options to allow citizens to finance their connections into monthly payments.
UTOPIA Providers:
How many providers are offering services in Brigham City?
There are currently five providers offering residential services in Brigham City, with more on the way: Brigham.net, FuzeCore, Prime Time, Veracity, and XMission.
What services are available?
Service providers on the UTOPIA network offer Internet, television, and telephone services, as well as advanced business services. Telemedicine, home security and other services will be added in the future.
How much are services in Brigham City?
Because UTOPIA only operates and manages the network, pricing for services are not cavailable on our website. However, you can look for that information on the provider's websites (look for Brigham City specific pricing) or set up an an appointment with a UTOPIA awareness advocate. The UTOPIA awareness advocates will be coming to every home that opted to connect to the network to help you learn more about the providers on the network, their services, and their pricing models. If you'd like to set up a specific appointment time, please call 888.342.3748.
What TV channels are available?
Each provider on the network has their own channel line-up. Again, you can look for this information on provider websites or talk with a UTOPIA awareness advocate.
How does it work if I have more than 1 TV and/or Computer in my home?
You are not limited to a certain number of computers or TVs. The number of computers you use should not affect your monthly bill for service in any way. Most people choose to create a wireless network in their homes to connect all their computers, which will require purchasing a wireless router, or you can hardwire each of your computers for an additional fee. There is a one-time fee to connect additional televisions, and each provider has a different pricing model for each set-top boxe. Most charge a few dollars a month for each additional TV set-top box (around $5 to $10).
Presently I have four TV sets in my home that get my programs. One of these is a DVR recorder. How is this provided for in your system?
Each UTOPIA provider offers connections for each of your TVs, including DVR recording capabilities. Each provider has different pricing for set-top boxes and DVR boxes; each provider will charge a monthly rental fee for additional set-top boxes and DVR services. Pricing can be obtained by talking with a UTOPIA awareness advocate, who are currently going to the homes of UTOPIA subscribers. You can set up a specific appointment time by emailing service@utopianet.org or calling 888.342.3748.
UTOPIA in Brigham City:
Why is Brigham City one of the UTOPIA cities?
More than a decade ago, business leaders and city officials were concerned about Brigham City’s economic future because the traditional telephone and cable companies were not showing any interest in bringing broadband connections to Brigham. These leaders discovered that other cities in Utah had the same problem, so Brigham City took a leading role in forming UTOPIA. Now Brigham City has the opportunity to be one of the most digitally advanced cities in America.
I heard about Brigham City’s pledge to back the UTOPIA network in the news. What is the purpose of those pledges?
The 11 founding members of the UTOPIA network issued bonds to pay for the first portion of the network. In 2008, those bonds were refinanced in conjunction with a change in UTOPIA’s management. Brigham City and the other pledging cities are now responsible for a portion of the network’s expenses (based on their percentage of the total UTOPIA population) until the network becomes profitable. So far, the UTOPIA cities haven’t had to pay anything on their bonds, but UTOPIA will likely have to call on a portion of the tax pledges early in 2010. The first year of bond payments from each city is held in a reserve fund. Brigham City has also budgeted an individual reserve to replenish the larger reserve, so city funds won’t be required until Brigham City’s reserve needs to be replenished in several years. UTOPIA will treat any money received from the cities’ pledges as a loan, and the funds will be repaid once the network is self-sufficient.
Some people in Brigham City are already connected. Why and what do they think about it?
About 40% of Brigham City’s infrastructure is already in place; UTOPIA started a small pilot project in this area to test the network in Brigham City several months ago. Your neighbors on the UTOPIA network have had great results. 90% of users say phone quality is superior to their old service, that speed is greatly improved, and that they have a better overall experience on the UTOPIA network than with their old provider. Users are also saying that the value for the price is much better than their old service.
General:
We’ve been hearing about UTOPIA for years. What’s the big rush now?
During the sign up period, you can decide whether to connect your home or business to the UTOPIA network. The network will only be completed if enough people decide to sign up. Brigham City’s leaders would like to begin seeing the benefits of the network in the community, and have made arrangements for everyone who wants a UTOPIA connection to be hooked up by the end of this year.
I rent an apartment in a four plex, can I get connected?
The best thing to do to get connected to the UTOPIA network is express your interest to your landlord or set up an appointment with a UTOPIA representative to get a discussion started (by calling 888.342.3748 or emailing service@utopianet.org). Rental units cannot be connected on an individual basis, but if your landlord connects the whole building, you'll be able to receive services. Several rental units throughout the city have already signed up to get UTOPIA service.
If UTOPIA is backed by taxpayer pledges, am I paying for UTOPIA twice?
As of December 2009, UTOPIA hasn’t used any of the pledged taxpayer funds. Each person that joins the network brings UTOPIA closer to self-sustainability, so – ultimately – the network will be paid for by those who use it, rather than the taxpayers. Some of the pledged funds will be used beginning in 2010, but UTOPIA will repay those funds to the city once the network is self-sustainable.
Is Honeyville part of any expansion after Brigham City?
UTOPIA is currently focused on completing the network in the 16 Utah cities that own and operate the network. Since Honeyville is not a UTOPIA member city, there are not plans to expand the network into Honeyville at this time.
