IQ Fiber (formerly known as ThinkBig Networks, LLC) strives to bring broadband service as quickly as possible to the residents in the NCN Broadband Buildout funded service areas. After residents at eligible addresses sign up for service, the wait to get service may still last several months and will vary by location. IQ Fiber will communicate with residents when they are ready to install fiber to your home. 

A lot of things impact the timing of when fiber will be installed. This page explains what happens between the time you sign up and the time fiber is installed in your home, and why sometimes things may take longer than originally anticipated. 

Brand New Networks

In both of the funded service areas, IQ Fiberis building a brand new network. They are laying one million feet of fiber in the ground or on utility poles. That's a lot of ground to cover, one foot of fiber at a time!

Before they can lay the fiber, IQ Fiber must spend a lot of time designing a construction plan, acquiring the proper permits, and completing other planning work. They have to determine the location of existing underground utilities, such as wires, pipes, and water lines. 

Private Property Access

In some locations, such as on a private road or a "road of use," IQ Fiber will need to secure the rights to construct on the property. IQ Fiber will request an easement from the landowner, which provides IQ Fiber the right to use the land for the NCN Broadband Buildout but does not give them ownership of the land.

You can see if you will need to provide an easement by searching for your address here. 

Construction Process

IQ Fiber will try to minimize disruption for the residents of Nanjemoy and Cobb Neck, but construction work is a necessary part of building a fiber network. In most areas, IQ Fiber will install the fiber underground. This method of deployment is preferred because it can be installed more quickly and provides a more secure environment for the fiber. 

In some areas where underground deployment is not possible, IQ Fiber will pull fiber lines to utility (SMECO) poles. IQ Fiber has a pole attachment agreement with SMECO to use the existing poles in the NCN Broadband Buildout area. 

Slowing Factors

As with any construction project, there are certain factors that may slow the process down that are beyond anyone's control. 

When the weather doesn't cooperate, such as on snowy or rainy days, the ability to build the network is restricted. IQ Fiber will not be able to perform road construction or expose the fiber lines to moisture. 

IQ Fiber must also follow Charles County Government's restrictions on work days and hours, including the holiday schedule. IQ Fiber will not be able to deploy fiber when Charles County Government is closed.

Experienced & Efficient

IQ Fiber is experienced in deploying fiber networks to unserved and rural areas of Maryland. They have learned a lot from previous projects and used this knowledge and experience to strategically plan the NCN Broadband Buildout. IQ Fiber has been working closely with Charles County Government, SMECO, the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, and other partners to ensure that the deployment is accomplished as efficiently as possible.