Wireless Internet In the Rural Environment

Began in 1905 as The Farmers Co-op Telephone Company. Began delivering wireless Cable TV over MMDS in 1989 Began delivering wireless Internet in 1999 Two-time WCA award winner (2002 & 2003) for delivering NLOS broadband wireless service to underserved markets Who We Are and What We Do

Technologies Currently Used Phasecom Speed Demon (LOS) -currently 450’ tower serving 30 mile radius Vyyo V3000 (LOS) -currently ’ towers serving 30 mile radius NextNet Expedience (NLOS) -currently 7 sites – up to 20 mile radius Lucent Orinoco (NLOS) -currently 1 site – up to 1 mile radius

Items to cover today Prospective site Site survey  Market assessment Equipment selection  Implement and deploy  Maintain and service Planning your Wireless Internet Site

Broadband internet availability in the area None in area – Sites 1 & 2 Consumer interest Strong interest (Consumer, municipal, and business) – Sites 1 & 2 Site within MMDS BTA (License area) Yes – Within current MMDS BTA – Sites 1 & 2 Number of homes passed Acceptable >300 – Site 1 Backhaul requirements (T1 data support) Able to support with wireless PtP system. – Site 1 Location for Transmit Station and Headend Lease with local farmer for Site 1, lease with city water tower for Site 2 Prospective Sites

Operation Anytown, IA Population 700 – Site 1

Backhaul Solution Utilize current PtP system to supply backhaul 5.8 GHz Western Multiplex 10Meg Radio

Transmit and Headend Site 120° Sector Antenna Anytown, IA Headend

Site Survey Anytown, Iowa predicted RSS (Received Signal Strength), 70’ antenna height, 120º sector antenna Yellow 90% Red 70% Light Blue 50% Green 1% Service Confidence Level Harvestore Site

Non Line of Sight Equipment

Operation Anytown, IA Population 228 – Site 2

Line of Sight Equipment

Lessons Learned Must manage backhaul cost in rural setting –Negotiate competative rates for fractionalized DS-3 connection point. –PtP infrastructure.

Lessons Learned (Continued) Develop Partnerships –Faster deployment of services. –Provides higher level of service to consumer. –Sharing of costs and profits. –Sharing infrastructures and ideas. –Supports local economy.

Conclusion Wireless broadband internet is working for the Northwest Rural Iowa area. We are growing as an industry both in services and technology. We need FCC support to continue providing these services. –Easier licensing & maintenance of MMDS spectrum. –Cost of MMDS licensing in rural areas needs to be reflective to population. –Working together to meet the needs of the rural community.