Consolidated Communications unveiled its new brand for fiber-based services, Fidium Fiber. It’s a consumer facing brand and will feature symmetrical gigabit service with no data caps.
Fidium Fiber will offer gigabit service for $70 per month, which includes installation and equipment, with no long term contract. Other speeds will be available, starting at $35 per month for 50 Mbps. Prices will rise after the first year, with the $70 price increasing to $95 in month 13.
Think of Fidium as Consolidated’s version of Verizon’s Fios or Charter’s Spectrum. Fidium is available today in select New England markets including Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. More markets will be coming on weekly, says Consolidated.
“Consolidated Communications continues to innovate at every turn and our Fidium Fiber internet launch is an exciting step in our Company’s transformation,” said Bob Udell, president and chief executive officer at Consolidated Communications in a press release. “Fidium is the future of Consolidated’s consumer fiber internet service, answering the need for better home broadband, and giving consumers more choices, control, and personalization.”
The service will also feature a whole-home mesh Wi-Fi gateway using the Plume platform and a mobile app for Wi-Fi management called Attune.
Consolidated says Fidium Fiber will also bring a new level of customer experience with it. CX initiatives include:
- Easy, hassle-free installation on your schedule with text updates and two-hour appointment windows
- Intuitive customer portal with self-service options, allowing for a fully digital experience from installation through service
- Real time, proactive network monitoring to solve issues remotely and ensure the best internet performance
Consolidated announced the coming of Fidium on its most recent quarterly earnings call. The service is clearly looking to take on cable competitors by featuring the symmetrical service, no data caps, whole-home Wi-Fi and aggressive introductory pricing, including free installation.
You can hear hints of the competitive positioning in Udell’s prepared statement, saying “We’re offering Fidium as we would want it: with straightforward pricing, no gimmicks or tricks, and friendly, flexible, local service on your terms.”
Fidium will probably be the platform for even faster fiber speeds at some point, given Consolidated recently outlined its 10 gig path using XGS-PON technology from DZS.
