Fiber sign-up

[David Kulp]

We can do better folks!  There have only been 56 registrations in Ashfield so far and we need 345.  (There may be more by mail that haven't been entered.)  Our neighbors in Plainfield are far ahead of us percentage-wise... and they have DSL!

Register at https://register.wiredwest.net/

Please share any thoughts you might have about reaching people.  The tech committee plans to put an insert in the April Ashfield News and to host perhaps two information meetings in April (one weekday, one weekend).  We'll get some lawn signs in a week or so.

What do you think will be the lowest effort ways of making the biggest impact?

How much do you think the $50 affects people's decision?  If it were $10 or $25, do you think that would make a big difference?  I know there are some interested backers in town who would be willing to put up some of the money for others if they knew they'd get the money back from the users in the first month's service.  But to implement this would be a bookkeeping headache.

My sense is that people aren't signing up because they feel like they don't know enough about a complex program.  Lots of "what ifs?" and when there's uncertainty it's just shelved for another day.

Thoughts?

[Lui Collins]

hi David et al,

I've been disappointed with the slow response as well, and had expected better from Ashfield.  I've spoken with a few people about it lately and the ones who haven't signed up yet (which is most that I've spoken to) were unaware that it was happening.  I thought the mailing was going out at the beginning of March, but I haven't received it yet and other people I've spoken with haven't either.

Some who are on DSL had no idea that satellite users had data caps and how they affect us.  I know in the past when I've talked about our frustrations with people from other parts of the state, they thought when "all towns" in the western part of the state were hooked up to DSL that that meant it was available to all households.  They had no clue so many of us were still unserved.  Now it's surprising me to find out that even people in Ashfield don't know how bad it is in the outskirts (most) of the town.

I think it's going to take education and lots of it.  It makes me wonder how many have read your article in the paper this month.  Maybe people either have DSL and are content with it or don't care about having good internet access.  Or maybe we're all just on overload.  But to begin with, do you know more about what's happening with the Wired West mailing and why we haven't gotten it yet?

Thanks for your tireless work,

Lui

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[David Kulp]

Hi Lui,

the mailing did go out and was delivered over a week ago.  It included a pamphlet, letter, form and return envelope.  The addresses used were from the assessor, so did not include renters.  One thought is that we could do a follow-up mailing using the addresses in the Ashfield phone book.

As you suggest, some of the problem is that those who have DSL are mostly satisfied (even though DSL is considered sub-standard) and aren't aware of the struggles that the rest of us have.  Convincing DSLers to sign up requires a lot more work: raising awareness and convincing them that it's of value.  That's why it seems important to focus on the have-nots (about 60% of residents) for the pre-subscription: we already recognize the need and the savings for us is a no-brainer.  

If we did additional mailings, maybe we should split the recipients into DSL and non-DSL and target our pitch accordingly?  Or just contact those who are non-DSL.

[Juliette J. Meeus]

david,

this seems to underscore what we’re discussed here before and that is the need for comprehensive FAQ’s to be available to all.

Juliette

[Andy]

Hi David et al,

 

I, too, am concerned that the letter mailed out by WW was not as effective as the folks at WW thought it would be.  There wasn’t a whole lot about it that would differentiate it from my usual high volume of junk mail.  I think that the WiredWest Executive Committee thought this was the “letter everybody has been waiting for”  except for the fact that nobody but a few of us knew it was coming.  I actually ended up getting three copies of the letter – one from Ashfield, one from Charlemont where I have an uninsulated, uninhabitable cabin and one from Conway where I have just raw woodland.  I haven’t quite figured out what I am going to do with those last two.  Diane Broncaccio has done a nice job of covering this story in The Recorder but I guess we need more.

 

We’ve talked about having an insert for the next issue of the Ashfield New, and we are going to do that.  I am hoping it is a two page insert – one sheet to be packed with useful and interesting information and the second sheet will be the one to mail to WiredWest with the $49 check.  Maybe there needs to be a special issue of the Ashfield News or at least a front page, above the fold story about the urgency of signing up.  I’m just spitballing ideas here. The informational meetings will be important although very often it is just the true believers that attend these meetings.  I’m not much of a go-door-to-door person but maybe that is needed, too. 

 

I am going to go and talk to a few neighbors today.  I’m comfortable talking to folks who I know.  I would like to see all of us that are chomping at the bit for this fiber to do the same!  All hands on deck.

 

Andy

[Ruth Julian]

The phone is a good way to get things done in this town.  And working from a street list helps to reach everybody.  I can’t help wishing that The Ashfield News was available online.  The people who only get their news online are the people who really need fiber optic.

[Christie Shea]

Hi David, I signed up on line the day before the mailing arrived. Since I miraculously have cell service at the end of Beldingville I can get wi-fi from a hot spot mi-fi device but felt I should support the plan. Before the device was discovered only had dial up as a real estate agent....not good!

       CAN YOU SEND SIGN UP PACKETS HOME W KIDS FR SCHOOL (K-12) SINCE THEY REALLY NEED HIGH SPEED SERVICE TOO???
Christie Shea
Sent from my iPhone

Christie Shea

Trademark Real Estate

413-522-3842

cs...@mtdata.com

[Carole]

Would it be possible to use the Town's automated calling system (that has been used to give warnings of severe storms) to get the message out on broadband sign-up?

Sent from my iPod

[David Kulp]

Christie, sending a sign-up packet home with school kids is a great idea.  I'll get on it. (PS even if you get your internet via cellular, you'll still probably want fiber.  Data caps and overage charges are very expensive.  I can attest to that because I've got teenagers with phones!)

Carole, regarding the robocall system, yes that's a possibility.  As some of you know, I'm the Ashfield News editor.  A few weeks ago Doug sent a call out for me about the news delivery via the robocall system, technically called "Blackboard Connect".  I heard feedback that people thought I had abused the system because it should only be used for emergencies.  Because of this, Doug and I spoke again just this afternoon and he confirmed that it is available for community notices of any kind and he has no problem using it.  The town pays a flat fee if we use it once or every day.  

Other towns have used their robocall system to rally broadband support.  Still, I worry about upsetting people who have different expectations for this telephone notification system.  They may not want to be bothered by what they consider nuisance calls.  I'm curious what folks on this list think about the idea!

Juliette mentioned a FAQ.  The tech committee has been working on one.  Perhaps we'll put an abbreviated version in the April flyer.  Here is the URL:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ARdPl0ohHE7ashcWRNY7OqtuUzwiSvhCnJcLe-QJBrk/edit?usp=sharing

Please check it out and send comments to me -- or add comments directly to the document if you're savvy with Google Docs.  

Ruth, one of my goals is to get the Ashfield News online.  It's on my to do list.  Hopefully some time in 2015.  With the Ashfield News online I imagine there can be moderated email-based announcement lists that people can subscribe to.  Unfortunately not in time for this campaign.

Thanks all!