“Broadband Without Borders” A regional last mile solution Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Serving 50+ towns in NH, MA & VT • 2007 – Wireless co. launches via economic development grant • 2010 – Service in 25+ towns • 2012 – Launched digital phone solutions • 2013 – First provider on NH FastRoads fiber • 2014 – 100% of FastRoads homes & 50% of businesses • 2015 – MBI / hybrid pilot • 2016 – Acquired Radius North wireless assets “Your local provider for broadband solutions” Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Project leaders Brian Foucher • WiValley Founder and President • Prior manager of business development and customer service • Systems engineer experienced in electronics, marketing, and power systems Fred Goldstein • Principal of Interisle Consulting Group • 40+ years consulting to telecom, Internet, and wireless industries • Key member of MassBroadband 123 grant team • Did planning grant designs for several MA towns; similar studies in NH • FCC Technical Consultant to Wireless ISP Association Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Proposed regional* network 100% funded by town broadband grants Minimum of 96% of homes & businesses served No town tax support, funding authorization or financial risk No initial signup or installation fees No subscriber financing or hidden costs Rates lower than all-fiber proposals 25/5 Mbps service to 75% of homes (min 12/2 Mbps) Public owns network infrastructure *Contiguous towns of Florida, Hawley, Monroe & Savoy. Also, separate solutions for Middlefield and Worthington. Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Cross-border connectivity Connecting across town lines provides: Construction economies Service efficiency Lower backhaul costs Reliable service via redundant paths Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Competitive broadband rates Monthly fees (fiber or wireless):* 12/2 Mbps: $59.95 25/5 Mbps: $69.95 50/10 Mbps: $79.95 100/20 Mbps: $119.95 Unlimited Phone: $24.99 Home Wi-Fi: $0 – free * Wireless speeds depend on foliage & terrain Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
21 st century wireless advances Wireless performance up 10-fold over last 10 years: Gen 1 (2000-2005): <10 Mbps, expensive Gen 2 (2005-2009): 10-50 Mbps using WiFi chips, inexpensive Gen 3 (2010-2017): 25-100 Mbps using enhanced WiFi chips & 2 antennas, inexpensive Gen 4 (2017-): 100-500 Mbps, initially expensive “massive” MU-MIMO, 4+ antennas, beam-steering Also (2017-): 60 GHz for fiber-like speeds, short line- of-sight, inexpensive Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
The fiber side of hybrid WiValley would quickly deploy wireless at no cost to the towns.* Remaining grant allocations (and future funds) could be for phase II fiber deployments. Unresolved fiber issues include lawsuits & overlashing MassBroadband 123. Future fiber customers can initially subscribe to wireless. *In 2018, given spring 2018 approval. Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Public ownership guarantee As the network is 100% publicly funded, the public should have 100% control of the infrastructure: • Towns will own new network poles and towers. • MassBroadband 123 will own fiber, with Indefeasible Rights of Use on sufficient strands to WiValley and any successor. • Public option to buy the entire network after 3 years. Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Project responsibilities WiValley: own* & manage Towns: State: collaborate funding & with oversight WiValley * Towns & state own vertical assets & fiber Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Summary of benefits • Regional broadband network • Fully funded by state grants • Minimum 96% coverage • Lower rates w/no initial signup fees • Public ownership guarantee • Scheduled 2018 wireless completion Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
Questions? Hybrid broadband presentation of January 19, 2018
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