FIBER TO THE HOME

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What is Harrison Rural Electric Cooperative building? Our electric cooperative is building a
fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network – the gold standard of communications transmission –
over its existing electric distribution infrastructure that will take fiber directly into homes and
businesses and deliver reliable, high-speed internet services.

What is the timeframe and scope of the buildout? This [5 years] FTTH buildout,
encompassing [500 miles]of fiber, will ultimately reach 90 percent of Harrison Rural Electric
members. The buildout will provide access to broadband benefits for [6000+] rural West
Virginia homes and businesses.

When will construction begin? Planning has been under way for some time as Harrison Rural
Electric explored the possibility of delivering high-speed internet to our members.
Construction has begun on the first phase and given material delays and USDA/RUS delays
we hope to start adding subscribers in May and June of this year.

Will my electric bill increase to pay for the FTTH network? No. Electric rates will not be
raised to subsidize the buildout or deployment. Electric rate adjustments are based
entirely on costs associated with supplying electric service.

The Technology – Internet Service

What makes fiber so special? A fiber-optic network sends and receives data at the speed
of light. In addition to super-fast transmission speeds, a fiber-optic network can carry an
extremely high amount of data. Fiber is also more reliable than other networks, because
it’s less susceptible to interference and damage from lightning and other acts of nature.

What does the term “broadband” mean?

Broadband commonly refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster
than traditional dial-up access. Broadband fiber-optic networks can deliver voice, data,
video and email services over the internet. We will be offering voice and data services
through our partner, Digital Connections, Inc./Prodigi.

What is involved in the process of building a fiber-to-the-home network?

Construction of a fiber network is a complex process involving extensive planning with
numerous consultants and contractors. The project is dependent on a number of variables
that include length of the circuit, the readiness of each individual circuit for construction,
availability of materials, access to the bulk internet system, terrain, weather, and many other
external factors. Most distribution lines are a mix of overhead and underground construction.
Construction is divided into five to seven phases for each opening zone for an overhead
distribution project. Once a circuit is constructed and ‘lit’ i.e. ready to begin transmitting
internet data via light signals, then members/customers in the area will be able to sign up for
service and have the necessary equipment installed in their home.

Getting Service

What internet packages will be available? Harrison Rural Fiber will offer a package with a
minimum of 50 megabits (Mbps) per second upload and download speeds (symmetrical service)
and additional speeds up to 1 gigabit. Pricing for our services will be available closer
to launch; pricing will be competitive with existing providers with respect to
the level of performance.

Can I preregister for the internet service? Yes. Potential subscribers are encouraged to
preregister for services through the pre-registration tool which will be launched soon.
Members service representatives and public announcements will alert members when
the service is soon to become available in their area. You may also complete the
subscriber application to preregister.

Are there data caps with this service? There are no data caps or bandwidth throttling
(intentional slowing or speeding of internet service) with this service.

Will voice and TV services be available immediately? Harrison Rural Electric will offer
voice (VoIP) in addition to broadband internet service. TV Services may be acquired
through third party vendors such as Sling, DirecTV, Fubo, Philo, Youtube TV, Hulu Plus
Live TV, etc.

How much will the internet service cost? Pricing and packages will be announced once
they are finalized. Pricing and packages will be competitive with the existing providers
in the area.

Will a contract be required? No. At this time contracts are not a requirement, however
there may be an installation fee which will be determined closer to launch.

The benefits

Why are we offering broadband service? Our communities have long suffered from a lack of
broadband equality – access to the same speeds and capabilities as those in less rural areas.
Broadband availability across our service area will help close the digital divide between those
who have access to advanced technology and those who don’t. A few of the many advantages
of broadband access are:

online teaching capabilities allowing our students to learn from home
healthcare benefits such as telemedicine
work-from-home interoffice connectivity and videoconferencing capabilities
that will help professionals stay in their homes, while being productive
quality of life improvements through enhanced communications
economic development and growth in rural areas. Access to high-speed internet
can raise home prices and attract businesses to communities.