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Expanding Access to Broadband

Submitted by webmaster on Mon, 2009/07/27 - 11:56
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While both parties are continuing to study ways of making broadband access affordable and sustainable, we have reached the conclusion that the only way to make progress is to engage more people in the process. To that end, we are inviting everyone to participate by communicating (using the contact link on the left) their Internet access desires and their willingness to invest intellectually, physically and (gulp!) financially.

The first step is to browse http://www.thewiredroad.net/ Like all websites, it needs updating, especially the maps of Grayson County. LSNet has begun to survey signal strength in and around Elk Creek.

Next, some familiarity with the underlying technology helps frame expectations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi is a good place to start.

Direct connections to WiredRoad APs are limited to line of sight. Availability increases with the introduction of a repeater. While the Wired Road is continuing to improve infrastructure, repeaters will have to be funded by ISPs (like LSNet) and customers (you). The cost runs from a few hundred dollars and up, way up. The WiredRoad is leasing CPE (Customer Premise Equipment) for $5 per month.
 

Customer density enhances fiscal feasibility. Enlisting the participation of your neighbors will greatly enhance your place in the priority list. A small army of war drivers and signal sniffers would greatly increase the probability of victory. A notebook with a wireless adapter and appropriate software (Kismet for Linux, NetStumbler for Windows) carried about the neighborhood with appropriate note taking is helpful. Training available. Repeaters can be solar powered so you may find advantage in hoofing up peaks you can see from your location.

We will be visiting fiber locations in Galax on foot. We are studying ways of reducing installation costs. We will also be supporting premise networking with a combination of wired and wireless technologies.
 

Pricing is still under consideration. Installation costs must be paid up front or incorporated in monthly recurring fees (or some combination). The market demands competitive pricing; survival requires adequate revenues. Your willingness to pay also improves your position in the priority list. We are inventing a metric to guide our efforts and will publish shortly.

 

Timing is contingent on a number of matters - backhaul, infrastructure, servers etc. We are optimistic the first customers can be brought on line by October 1, 2009.