Fiber Internet Frequently Asked Questions

Planet Networks will run a new fiber-optic cable from the street to the side of your home or building. We will run the new fiber cable the same way existing lines are run. Sometimes they are aerial from a pole to the side of the house, and, sometimes, they are run in the ground. If they are underground, we may be able to use an existing conduit to run the fiber cable, or we may need to install a new conduit or direct bury the cable. On the side of the house, a small plastic box houses our equipment and provides the connection to the inside equipment. We'll also run a CAT6 Ethernet wire to connect with the equipment inside the house. This Ethernet cable also provides power to the equipment in the box on the side of the house.

Plume mesh routers create a single Wi-Fi system throughout the home allowing devices to travel seamlessly from one area to another ensuring great coverage for all devices. Our mesh routers can be hardwired together for optimal performance or connected wirelessly for a quick and easy setup with no additional wiring needed. 

The Plume service automatically optimizes your Wi-Fi signal to enhance your Internet experience. For example, if an often-used device, such as a computer, has a strong signal from one Wi-Fi access point, the Plume software will move low-priority and low-bandwidth devices — like light switches, thermostats, and coffee makers — to another access point with a weaker signal. This optimization enhances the speed available for your computer while keeping your other devices online.

While you're not required to use the Planet provided Plume mesh system, we highly recommend it to ensure you get the fastest and most reliable access throughout your home and to ensure our helpful support team is able to easily assist you whenever needed. Our installation team can install these devices for you when setting up your fiber connection and there is no additional charge.

Some reasons you're not getting the Internet speed you expect include:

• An old/slower Ethernet card, switch, or router – older computers, switches, and routers only support 100Mbit/s Ethernet link which will make that the maximum speed possible for anything after that connection. 

• A poor-quality or damaged Ethernet cable – any that has only four wires will only support 100Mbit/s link

• Using a Wi-Fi (wireless) connection instead of hard-wired Ethernet

• Your device's processor speed (CPU) will affect the speeds shown in tests. Older and slower computers, tablets, and phones cannot process enough information handle the newer high speeds provided by Planet

Some customers experience these problems after upgrading from a slow DSL connection. You can fix these issues by upgrading to a router with a Gigabit or 1,000Mbs) WAN/Internet port or Planet’s mesh Wi-Fi system.

Planet’s whole home mesh Wi-Fi Solution includes parental controls, so parents can limit when children can access the Internet and what they can do when online. Our convenient phone operated app allows parents to group each child's devices together to control them with one policy, so parents can tailor Internet access for each child. For example, parents can set one policy for a young child's tablet that strictly limits their Internet content and turns off at 7PM and a separate policy for a teenage child's laptop and phone that gives them access to more age-appropriate content and have their Internet disconnect at 9:30PM, for example. All parameters and devices are configurable.

Planet charges for fiber Internet service by the month. Pricing and speeds vary based on local service territory. Planet begins each customer’s service period on the date the fiber Internet connection is installed. This day of the month is the day when payment will be due for all future months.