Dear ECFiber Community
With signs of spring on the horizon we at ECFiber are looking forward to warmer weather and spending more time outdoors building your world-class fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network. We all have been through a challenging year with the COVID-19 pandemic, and we look forward to a return to more normal times. We believe that having reliable high-speed internet service has helped make these times less trying for our customers that work and learn from home. We are also pleased to report the phone system has been entirely upgraded and is proving to be very reliable.

Here is some helpful information for new and existing customers:

-Our Office Remains Closed to Visitors – Until the Covid-19 threat has subsided, if you need assistance of any kind, please call us Monday-Friday between 9AM-5PM at (802) 763-2262 or email us at support@ecfiber.net.

-Online Billing Portal – The easiest way to monitor your billing account with ECFiber is to log on to our billing portal. There you can view your invoices, payments and more. You can also make one-time payments using a checking/savings account or credit card and set up automatic payments — which will earn you a one-time $35 credit. You can also call, and when you do have your checkbook handy so you can read the routing and account numbers to us.

-$50 Referral Credit – We offer a $50 referral credit to you and any new subscriber that you refer. In order to qualify two things are required. 1) The new subscriber must add the name of the customer who referred them to their subscription form and 2) the existing customer must send an email to support@ecfiber.net confirming the referral. Both will then see the $50 credit on the next monthly invoice.

-$150 Contract Buyout – If you are already under contract with another internet service provider and are ready to make the switch, ECFiber will buy out your existing contract up to $150 with a credit to your ECFiber account.

-Seasonal Disconnect and Reconnect – ECFiber will permit a seasonal disconnect of Internet service once per calendar year. During the time of suspension you will be charged only the $8 ONT Rental Fee. There will be a $35 reconnection fee upon return of service. Residential phone service cannot be suspended and will remain at the normal rate of $25 plus taxes. To initiate your seasonal disconnection or reconnection please email us at support@ecfiber.net.

-Some tips on home WiFi we think you’ll like – One of our customers tipped us off to a really good website out of Norway full of great ideas on improving your in-home network WiFi. Check out https://eyenetworks.no/en/wi-fi-central/  — highly recommended.

-Mesh WiFi System – Mesh WiFi or Whole Home WiFi systems consist of a main router that connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed around your house for full WiFi coverage. They are all part of a single wireless network that share the same SSID and password. These devices come with detailed instructions, but if you run into issues you can call us for assistance.

-Powerline Adapter – Like a WiFi booster, a Powerline adapter is directly connected to a router via an Ethernet cable. The adapter is then plugged into a power socket, allowing network data to travel via the electrical system into a receiving adapter in another location. Please research these devices before purchasing as some may have limitations that conflict with your home network.

-Use WiFi Calling – You can connect your cell phone to Wi-Fi using your fast and reliable ECFiber connection; make calls, send texts, and surf the web. The best part is with this quick tip you can cut down on data usage and it could potentially help you avoid extra fees with your cell phone provider. Check the instructions for your mobile phone model or call your cellular carrier for further assistance.

Finally, a hearty “THANK YOU!” to all our customers.

We recognize that this has been a very difficult time for many of you. We appreciate your patience and commitment. Your local ECFiber Team will continue to work hard in the upcoming months to bring you the best possible phone and internet service. We think of you as part of the Community-Owned, Subscriber-Funded ECFiber family! (Alex, Alison, Andy, Carole, Chris, Christine, Cody, Corey, Dana, Dannielle, Dawna, Dwayne, Eric, Gavin, Heather, Jai, Jess, John, Josh, Ken, Levi, Matt, Megan, Stan, Toby, Wesley and Zac).

ECFiber is the doing-business-as name of the East Central Vermont Telecommunications District, a municipal entity owned by its 31 constituent town members but not supported by local taxes. To reach a delegate to the district board, email <yourtownnamehere>@ecfiber.net (for example, Tunbridge@ecfiber.net). The annual report of the district is available here: https://www.ecfiber.net/ecfiber-plans-2021-expansion-in-new-towns/. ECFiber is operated by ValleyNet, Inc., a local, community-based non-profit internet service provider. ValleyNet employees engaged in ECFiber related work will carry identification from ECFiber.
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REQUIRED NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS PAYING BY CHECK: ECFiber is now using the latest in technology to scan and process your checks. This should result in fewer errors in cashing your checks. In some cases (depending on your bank) this may convert eligible paper checks to Automated Clearing House (ACH) debits. These electronic transactions process faster than traditional checks, so be sure you have enough money in your account at the time you send us your check. Please contact us if you have questions or if you wish to opt out of this ACH conversion.