Open Internet Transparency Disclosure

The following disclosure describes the network practices, performance characteristics and commercial terms for Home Communications, Inc. (HCI) pursuant to the Federal Communications Commission’s Open Internet Transparency requirements.   At HCI, we want our subscribers to have the information they need to fully understand and enjoy the services we offer. To help keep consumers informed about our broadband Internet access services, the HCI website (www.hometelco.net) describes the services we offer.  Copies of our Customer Privacy Notice and Internet Acceptable Use/Subscriber User Agreement are also available online. 

This page provides additional information that the Federal Communications Commission has identified as useful to consumers and to the providers of Internet applications and content used by those consumers.  HCI encourages all subscribers of our network to familiarize themselves with this information, and to provide HCI with feedback about our broadband Internet access services so that we can continue to provide the best service experience possible.

Network Practices:

How does HCI manage congestion with respect to its broadband Internet access services?

We want to provide a high-quality Internet experience for all of our subscribers. Our broadband Internet access services are provided over fiber to the home (FTTH) networks that support multiple subscribers at the same time. Volume and congestion may occur when a large number of subscribers in a particular area access the network at the same time or when some subscribers consume a very large amount of network capacity during busy periods, such as at stadium events or during early evenings.

To address potential network congestion, HCI has invested substantial resources to create a fiber optic network with sufficient capacity to serve all of our subscribers.  HCI proactively manages congestion, bandwidth usage and traffic routing to ensure our network operates in the most efficient manner possible.   HCI does not store email, traffic information or use “Packet Inspection” techniques that would compromise the privacy of our subscribers.  HCI reserves the right to monitor non-user specific network traffic for the purpose of internal marketing and determining usage trends and future bandwidth needs.

HCI provides Internet access services with speeds up to 3 megabytes, up to 5 Megabytes, and up to 10 megabytes depending on the needs of the subscriber. 

Does HCI favor certain Internet applications by blocking, throttling or modifying particular protocols on our broadband Internet access service?
No, HCI does not favor certain Internet applications by blocking, throttling or modifying particular protocols, protocol ports, or protocol fields in ways not prescribed by the protocol standards. However, in response to a specific security threat against our network or our subscribers, HCI may occasionally need to limit the flow of traffic from certain locations or take other appropriate actions. In addition, we may prevent the use of certain ports on our wired broadband services to protect our subscribers and network against malicious activity, as discussed below.

What types of security practices does HCI use on its network?
HCI takes the security of our subscribers and our network very seriously.  We proactively monitor our network to guard against a wide range of security threats, including viruses, broadcast storms, botnets, worms, distributed denial of service attacks, SPAM, and other harmful activity.

If we detect a security threat, we will typically attempt to isolate that threat and prevent it from spreading across our network. We may use a variety of security measures to prevent the spread of a threat, which may include temporarily limiting the flow of traffic over some portions of our network or taking other actions to address the threat. We attempt to limit those actions to the specific portions of our network or subscriber base impacted by the security threat and for only as long as necessary to mitigate the threat.

Does HCI restrict the types of devices that subscribers can use with its broadband services?

HCI customers may attach the devices of their choice to our broadband Internet access services, so long as the devices do not harm our network or other users. The devices must also be used in a manner consistent with our Subscriber User Agreement/Acceptable Use Policy.

Performance Characteristics:

What factors affect the performance of my broadband Internet access service?

Your broadband Internet access service performance can be affected by a wide range of factors, many of which are beyond the control of HCI.  The capabilities of the server with which you are communicating, the capacity of the network to which that server is attached, the distance and number of routers (“hops”) between your device and the other Internet end point you are contacting, and general congestion on the Internet are common factors that can affect performance, regardless of your service type. 

Service performance may also be affected by the wiring inside your dwelling, the capabilities of your access device, and the applications you use.

Where can I find information about the speed and latency of my broadband Internet service?

Because of all the different factors that can affect the performance of our broadband Internet access service, HCI does not guarantee specific levels of speed or latency for our Internet access service.  HCI will provide you with the best available performance from our network.  The performance you can expect to receive from the services we offer is described below:

Speed:  The term “speed” is commonly used as a shorthand way to describe the capacity at which a particular broadband Internet access service can transmit data.  This capacity is typically measured in the number of kilobits or megabits that can be transmitted in one second (Kbps or Mbps).  Some applications like email or basic web browsing do not require a substantial amount of speed to function optimally, while other activities like transferring large data files can be performed faster with higher-speed services.

HCI offers broadband Internet access services in approximate speed tiers.  For example, a subscriber with a 3 Meg speed service should expect to see download speeds of up to 3 Mbps.  A subscriber with a 5 Meg speed service should expect to see download speeds of up to 5 Mbps.  A subscriber with 10 Meg speed service should expect to see download speeds of up to 10 Mbps.  If you have questions about the speed of your Internet access service, there are Internet speed tests available online.  HCI also provides a free Internet speed test at www.hometelco.net.   To find out which speed tier is best-suited for the types of applications you use, contact an HCI Customer Service Representative for more information.    

Latency:  The term “latency” is the amount of time from when a data packet is sent to when it is received.  For broadband Internet access services, latency is usually expressed as the round-trip time in milliseconds that it takes for a data packet to travel between two end points on the Internet (from point A to point B and then back to point A).  Some applications, such as email, can tolerate a substantial amount of latency without any noticeable impact on the application’s performance, while other applications, such as real-time video conferencing, require lower latency to function properly.  Though latencies can vary due to several factors, including some beyond HCI’s control, our subscribers can typically expect latencies of less than 15 milliseconds.

Commercial Terms:

Where can I find the prices and fees that apply to HCI broadband Internet access services?

Descriptions of prices and fees applicable to HCI’s broadband Internet access are available on the HCI website.  For more information go to www.hometelco.net or contact a Customer Service Representative at 620-654-3381.

What are HCI’s early termination fees if I discontinue my broadband Internet access service?

HCI’s subscribers are billed on a monthly billing cycle for broadband Internet access service.  Service may be terminated by HCI or the subscriber at any time.  Subscribers will be issued a pro-rated refund for any remaining days in the monthly billing cycle if they chose to terminate their Internet access service. 

Where can I find the Internet Services Acceptable Use Policy/Subscriber User Agreement?

The Internet Services Acceptable Use Policy/Subscriber User Agreement is available at the HCI central office located in Galva, Kansas.  The agreement may also be viewed on the HCI website at www.hometelco.net.

Does HCI have a Consumer Privacy Notice for its broadband Internet access services?

Yes, HCI has a Consumer Privacy Notice that applies to all users of HCI products and services. This policy identifies and describes the way HCI uses and protects the information we collect about our subscribers.  You may view the HCI privacy policy at www.hometelco.net.

Where can I get assistance if I have a concern or need more information about my HCI broadband Internet access service?

If you have questions or concerns about your HCI broadband Internet access service, please contact a Customer Service Representative at 620-654-3381.