Who is building this network?

Kenergy has partnered with rural broadband leader, Conexon, to support the construction of a fiber communications network across Kenergy’s service territory. Conexon’s internet service provider (ISP) subsidiary, Conexon Connect, offers world-class fiber broadband (high-speed internet) service to communities within Kenergy’s service territory. Kenergy is taking this opportunity to help meet the critical need of high-speed internet for its members throughout rural Kentucky. The time for us to act is now with federal and state grant funds available for this purpose.

Contractors working on this project include Ervin Cable Construction, MDR, Rice Contracting, and Vonalas. All contractor vehicles will have their logo or a ‘Contractor for Kenergy’ magnet.

Kenergy is planning to utilize the fiber network to enable smart grid capabilities for its electric infrastructure in the future. Benefits of this project include more efficiency, better load balancing, and more. Conexon Connect will leverage the network to serve Kenergy members with broadband services. Conexon Connect will maintain the infrastructure and support customers on the network. Customers will receive communications and billing from Conexon Connect. When working with customer service, customers will be speaking with Conexon Connect representatives.

Where will the broadband services be available?

Broadband will be available to all members across the Kenergy service territory including those in Daviess, Henderson, Hancock, Hopkins, Ohio, Webster, McLean, Crittenden, Union, Lyon, Caldwell, Livingston, Muhlenberg, and Breckinridge counties.

Will my electric bill increase to pay for the fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network?

No. This will not increase your electric costs.

Will I pay my internet bill along with my electric bill?

No. The partnership between Kenergy and Conexon Connect simply means Conexon Connect is serving as your ISP. You will continue to receive your electric bill as normal, while your fiber broadband bill (internet and/or phone) will be sent from Conexon Connect.

What is the process of building a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network?

Building a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network is generally a multi-year intensive project encompassing numerous steps and efforts. The network is being built in zones or phases. Each phase typically takes approximately 12 to 18 months from construction start to customer installation.

How will I know when I can expect service?

The Connect, powered by Kenergy “check availability” allows you to sign up for service and provides project updates. You can find it by going to ConexonConnect.com and selecting Kenergy from the dropdown menu. Then, click on check availability to provide your information and sign up.

What is the installation process?

Once you sign up for service, fiber installation is simple. Conexon Connect will pull fiber from Kenergy’s main lines and follow power lines to attach the fiber to your home or business. The fiber will run in the same manner power lines run to your home or business. If your electric service comes from overhead lines, so will your broadband service. If your electric service comes from underground lines, so will your broadband service. Next, Conexon Connect will attach the fiber line to a box near your electric meter where the inside wiring connects with the outside wiring. Finally, the fiber is connected to a fiber jack inside your home or office, where it’s plugged into the modem we provide.

Construction crews pulling and hanging the fiber and taking it to your home or business’ outside wiring are preparing the network to go live once construction in the area is complete. A Conexon Connect employee will contact you to schedule an appointment for an in-home installer to finalize your connection and test the services from your equipment. Your service will be ready to go once that install is complete and tested.

What equipment will I need to purchase?

Conexon Connect recommends you take its managed Wi-Fi service that provides your home with the best experience. With the service Conexon Connect provides, a carrier grade Wi-Fi router that can watch for potential issues and will auto heal the network to make your devices run as smooth as possible is the best option. This service also delivers advanced troubleshooting abilities if you do need to call Conexon Connect with an issue. Alternately, you can provide your own Wi-Fi router and connect it to the installed modem.

Your existing computers and Wi-Fi devices should connect to the Conexon Connect provided devices without the need for additional hardware purchases.
Conexon Connect provides two pieces of equipment that are required to connect your home to the internet. One piece is an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) that converts the fiber optic signal coming into your home to a wired ethernet connection. That wired ethernet connection then connects to a combination router/firewall and wireless access point, also called a Home Gateway, which is the second device.

The Home Gateway supports the following wireless protocols:

• 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, simultaneous dual-band
• 5 GHz 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) certified, 802.11a/n/ac compatible
• 6×6 streams (2×2 @ 2.4 GHz and 4×4 @ 5 GHz)
• 2.4 GHz 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) certified, 802.11b/g/ac compatible

The Home Gateway has four wired 1 Gbps ethernet ports to support wired devices. Given the broad range of connectivity options provided by Conexon Connect, your current device should connect seamlessly to the provided equipment.

If your device does not have a network interface card (NIC) or support Wi-Fi, then additional equipment purchases may be required. If this is the case, you may want to consider upgrading your devices to get the best experience from the Conexon Connect network.

What is a fiber-optic network?

Fiber-optic systems are made up of tiny strands of glass that carry data using light waves, generally resulting in much faster internet speeds and better reliability than traditional copper lines. Most internet providers use fiber in their systems, but use copper lines for the final connections to the home, resulting in slower speeds. Conexon Connect, Kenergy and fellow cooperatives believe 100% FTTH is the best, most sustainable communications choice. With FTTH service, you’ll enjoy “symmetrical” speeds, meaning you’ll experience the same high speeds whether uploading or downloading. A fiber-optic network can carry an extremely high amount of data and is more reliable than other networks because it’s less susceptible to interference and damage from lightning and other acts of nature.

What is Managed Wi-Fi?

Managed Wi-Fi Service, included with Connect Ultimate and available for an additional $4.95/month with other packages, enhances your overall user experience. It helps deliver among the fastest, highest quality Wi-Fi with advanced, remote support capabilities that allow our tech support team to automatically identify and troubleshoot issues and – in many cases before you even experience an interruption. This means quicker resolution of potential issues and convenience for you.

What is Connect’s Safe and Secure?

The Connect Safe & Secure Package, available only with managed Wi-Fi, includes:

1. Parental Controls consisting of an extensive set of options that allow parents to easily create and enforce online rules for the users and devices on their home networks. It provides them peace of mind by protecting their children from inappropriate or harmful content.
2. Network Security that provides malicious website protection, anti-virus and anti- ransomware packet inspection and intrusion detection. The service proactively monitors network traffic coming into the home, automatically blocking anything that looks suspicious.

Are there data caps with this service?

No. With fiber internet from Connect, powered by Kenergy, you will have no data caps or throttling.

Is Connect, powered by Kenergy, offering phone service?

Yes, Connect, powered by Kenergy, is offering unlimited local and domestic long-distance HD- quality phone service for $29.95/month plus any applicable local taxes and fees for those who package the phone service with internet. Conexon Connect’s standalone phone service (without internet) is $39.95/month plus applicable taxes and fees.

Can I keep my phone number?

In most cases, customers changing providers will be able to keep their phone numbers.