Real cheap or free Internet Access

[IslandRadio]

I, and a number of my neighbors here on Rattlesnake Island have had it with Verizon Broadband Wireless. It is SLOW SLOW SLOW, and Verizon has NO plans of upgrading their G3 network (just spoke with them today about it).

It turns out that a number of us (including me) need Internet access for our jobs, and it needs to be fast and reliable. It appears as if all of the wireless providers have "issues", and Hughes is impractical due to the packet latency (and they charge for bandwidth).

So, I think the best solution is to backhaul high speed bandwidth from the mainland, over to the Island via point to point or point to multipoint wireless.

I spoke with MetroCast, and I can get business class Internet through them in Gilford and Alton.

We need a mainland site in Gilford or Alton that has an unobstructed view of the West side of the Rattlesnake Island "Peninsula". If, from where you are, you look to the East or North from Gilford or far West Alton and can see Rattlesnake, chance are you can see the Peninsula.

In exchange for allowing me to mount a small piece of equipment (smaller than a small satellite TV dish) on some tree or other stable structure that can see the island, you can connect to our network for FREE - giving you free high speed Internet access!!!

I've done this sort of thing in the past (including my Internet access where I live now - no access other is available), and it works out very well .

If it works out for the initial folks near me who want it, I will expand the system to include other parts of the island.

If you have a possible mainland site, please PM me or email at cloutier@piesky.com

Any help in this regard would be greatly appreciated

Thanks so much and Regards,

Steve

[DRH]

I just sent you an email, Steve. Not sure if our location would be of any assistance, but if it might I'd be glad to talk to you.

[nhd]

Just sent you an email with photos. Nancy

[SteveA]

Is this the geography you need?

[IslandRadio]

Yes, that's the exact area!

Thanks and Regards,

Steve

[Island Girl]

How will you expand access to the broads side?

[Bear Islander]

Has anyone on Rattlesnake Island applied to Metrocast for a "line extension" to the island?

That is what I did on Bear and it worked.

[VitaBene]

Does that work on density? It seems like cable companies work solely on formulas- if you drive down rt 171 there are a whole host of people that apparently cannot get cable based on density requirements.

It seems like the town fathers that negotiate the cable deals need to make sure that everyone can have access (within reason).

[IslandRadio]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

Has anyone on Rattlesnake Island applied to Metrocast for a "line extension" to the island?

That is what I did on Bear and it worked.

I did talk with Metrocast about extending the system to Rattlesnake (and Sleeper's) island. No go - at least nothing in the works currently, and no plans. It is *probable* that the cable contract dictates the system must be expanded to unserviced areas if a certain number of people in the area agree to sign up. But, there may be "island" clauses in there - don't know - haven't seen the contract. Will definitely get hold of the Town of Alton and find out!!!

But, even if the system were to be expanded, it could take a very long time.

IG asked about coverage on all sides of the island (good question!):

There are number of ways to distribute the access around the island, once the land-based systems are in place.... but the easiest way to handle it is to use a point to multipoint system, and have a number of "hubs" located at strategic points on the island, and handle local distribution to individual homes from there.

It might be necessary to use 2 land-based locations, one on each side of the island, to achieve full coverage.

The key is to make the system as low maintenance as possible, to keep costs down.

Regards,

Steve

[Yankee]

What ISP will you be using, or will you be providing that as well?

[wifi]

Why not bounce some bandwidth off the mainland, like you are thinking, to a few strategic APs around the island, operate it like a coop? Faster than waiting for metrocast and more fun

Who owns the phone poles, seems like a fast and ready made way to distribute it.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Originally Posted by wifi

Why not bounce some bandwidth off the mainland, like you are thinking, to a few strategic APs around the island, operate it like a coop? Faster than waiting for metrocast and more fun

Who owns the phone poles, seems like a fast and ready made way to distribute it.

NH Electric Coop appear to handle the poles. Verizon has phone lines as well.

The island is probably a bit of a challenge with it's steep landscape. As an example, I can't see a direct TV satellite from my lot because of the steepness of the terrain.

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by IslandRadio

I did talk with Metrocast about extending the system to Rattlesnake (and Sleeper's) island. No go - at least nothing in the works currently, and no plans. It is *probable* that the cable contract dictates the system must be expanded to unserviced areas if a certain number of people in the area agree to sign up. But, there may be "island" clauses in there - don't know - haven't seen the contract. Will definitely get hold of the Town of Alton and find out!!!

But, even if the system were to be expanded, it could take a very long time.

IG asked about coverage on all sides of the island (good question!):

There are number of ways to distribute the access around the island, once the land-based systems are in place.... but the easiest way to handle it is to use a point to multipoint system, and have a number of "hubs" located at strategic points on the island, and handle local distribution to individual homes from there.

It might be necessary to use 2 land-based locations, one on each side of the island, to achieve full coverage.

The key is to make the system as low maintenance as possible, to keep costs down.

Regards,

Steve

I was told by Metrocast that there was a clause in their contract such that they didn't have to service the islands. However when I received a copy of the contact from the town guess what. That right, no such clause. They out and out lied about it.

Metrocast will never cable the island voluntarily, you will have to jam the contract down their throats. Don't take no for an answer.

[IslandRadio]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

I was told by Metrocast that there was a clause in their contract such that they didn't have to service the islands. However when I received a copy of the contact from the town guess what. That right, no such clause. They out and out lied about it.

Metrocast will never cable the island voluntarily, you will have to jam the contract down their throats. Don't take no for an answer.

Absolutely! They are all the same (the cable providers). I'm on the cable committee in my town, and we run into the same thing all the time - we have to force them legally to do what the contract states.

I spoke with the Alton town admin, and he is getting me the relevant sections of the franchise agreement the Town has with Metrocast. An examination of the language in the contract will quickly yield the answer - and I'm hoping the answer is the one we want !!!!!!

Any suggestions or advise in this area are GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks and Regards,

Steve

[Rattlesnake Guy]

Island Radio,
I think there was some sort of survey done on the Island a few years back to gauge how many people would sign up for cable. Maybe IG remembers details. If you can pull this off, I suspect a statue could be erected up near the UFO lights on the top. See you at FF.
Thanks for your efforts.

[Bear Islander]

Originally Posted by IslandRadio

Absolutely! They are all the same (the cable providers). I'm on the cable committee in my town, and we run into the same thing all the time - we have to force them legally to do what the contract states.

I spoke with the Alton town admin, and he is getting me the relevant sections of the franchise agreement the Town has with Metrocast. An examination of the language in the contract will quickly yield the answer - and I'm hoping the answer is the one we want !!!!!!

Any suggestions or advise in this area are GREATLY appreciated!

Thanks and Regards,

Steve

One requirement in our contract was ten subscribers per cable mile. Don't figure the entire island, that is to complicated, just give them 10 homes that can be serviced by one mile of cable (not including down leads). Probably ten homes on the mainland side should do it. When they service the island they will be happy to service the entire island. It's getting to the island underwater that they don't want to do.

Another requirement was a deposit for one years service. I found the minimum service amount per month. That times 12 months times 10 homes came to about $2,000. I sent them a check for the full amount. They never cashed it and eventually sent it back. Sending the check just took away an excuse for Metrocast to say no.

I also sent them a map showing the distances and the pertinent part of the cable contract.

In New Hampshire a cable company does not have to be licensed by the state. However Metrocast also offers telephone service over their cable so they do have to be licensed.

Metrocast originaly said no to my line-extension application. I then contacted the state Dept. of Public Utilities requesting that they revoke Metrocasts license for violating their contract with Meredith. I also told Metrocast I was going to schedule a press conference to inform the press of their refusal. They changed their minds and wired the island.

Once they agreed to come it took about 18 months. Much of the times was waiting on the Army Corps of Engineers.

[fatlazyless]

Both the Meredith Library and Meredith McDonald's have free wifi, plus the library has about eight free 'puter terminals along with a 20-cent/page printer.

[IslandRadio]

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

One requirement in our contract was ten subscribers per cable mile. Don't figure the entire island, that is to complicated, just give them 10 homes that can be serviced by one mile of cable (not including down leads). Probably ten homes on the mainland side should do it. When they service the island they will be happy to service the entire island. It's getting to the island underwater that they don't want to do.

Another requirement was a deposit for one years service. I found the minimum service amount per month. That times 12 months times 10 homes came to about $2,000. I sent them a check for the full amount. They never cashed it and eventually sent it back. Sending the check just took away an excuse for Metrocast to say no.

I also sent them a map showing the distances and the pertinent part of the cable contract.

In New Hampshire a cable company does not have to be licensed by the state. However Metrocast also offers telephone service over their cable so they do have to be licensed.

Metrocast originaly said no to my line-extension application. I then contacted the state Dept. of Public Utilities requesting that they revoke Metrocasts license for violating their contract with Meredith. I also told Metrocast I was going to schedule a press conference to inform the press of their refusal. They changed their minds and wired the island.

Once they agreed to come it took about 18 months. Much of the times was waiting on the Army Corps of Engineers.

HI - Thanks for the info! I figured at least a year, if not more - assuming we can even get it at all. Depends on the contract. I should know more today....hopefully.

If it is not possible to get Metrocast over here, then the only other solution is to build an infrastructure to provide high speed Internet, unless we all want to suffer with Verizon for unforseen years

Building such a thing is not as bad as one might think. The way to make it really solid is to start with a smaller number of users, get everything working and stable, and then gradually add groups of users, constantly monitoring the performance and reliability along the way.

Regards,

Steve

[classic22]

I also would be interested in dumping verizon on the island. It seems as though their service has degraded over the last couple of years. In any event
I am also interested in an alternative internet provider for the island. I live on the southeast part of the island, and can "see" down into minge cove from my property. Maybe the marina in minge cove would be a good place to beam the signal from. Also, maybe an option is to get the island association and the marina association to get involved, as many residents belong to both organizations.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

I have been thinking about my initial excitement at the prospect of cable and internet at the camp. Something about it was bothering me. I figured it out. The prospect of "forcing" a private company to do something that is obviously not in their best financial interest is contrary to my conservative belief system. The possibility of causing other customers to pay more so that I have more than 2-3 channels from Maine is just not worth that compromise in principals. Crap.

[granitebox]

RG, similar thoughts, economics usually takes care of itself when left to their own devices. When Metrocast signed the original agreement you can be sure they calculated all the costs and benefits of the contract. Their financial interests have been well served by having the agreement and servicing the town. The cost (or risk of cost) was calculated into the benefit from the larger service agreement at the beginning and they knew full well that one of the potential costs would be to add service to lower density areas as those areas developed. There were plenty of benefits built into their economic model to account for this.

I believe your concern is valid except they signed a lucrative agreement and this was part of the negotiations.

[IslandRadio]

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Guy

I have been thinking about my initial excitement at the prospect of cable and internet at the camp. Something about it was bothering me. I figured it out. The prospect of "forcing" a private company to do something that is obviously not in their best financial interest is contrary to my conservative belief system. The possibility of causing other customers to pay more so that I have more than 2-3 channels from Maine is just not worth that compromise in principals. Crap.

I too would not force a company into an economic disadvantage in this manner (by using the government). However, having negotiated the cable contract in my town, the profitability is AMAZING, and they have a legal monopoly and can pretty much charge what they want (and they do).

The Cable Act (early 90s) gave the cable companies essentially unlimited power to dictate terms, and a town can't get rid of them unless the company does something like go dark (and for a long time).

One of the problems with public utilities is their desire to "cherry pick" the easy stuff, and leave the more rural areas unserviced. Public utilities have a unique position of pretty much guaranteed profitability and for this privilege, they need to service the less profitable areas.

If I could own a business of this type, it would be great -the revenue stream is stable, your market is protected, and you can increase costs to stay profitable.

Regards,

Steve (another fiscal conservative )

[brk-lnt]

Originally Posted by IslandRadio

I too would not force a company into an economic disadvantage in this manner (by using the government). However, having negotiated the cable contract in my town, the profitability is AMAZING, and they have a legal monopoly and can pretty much charge what they want (and they do).

It's been 10 years since I sat on my towns telecommunications committee, but my experience was the exact opposite. In fact, for the basic cable packages the rates were pretty strictly set, and more or less a direct relation to the number of channels offered.

If the density of houses is high, then an MSO can make some good cash, especially in towns with more wealthy residents who opt for the premium channels/packages (which do not have the same mount of pricing regulation). But in more remote areas, or areas where many of the residents cancel their services for several months out of the year, the profits are not so very amazing.

Regarding Internet access on the Island, have you looked into any of the wireless broadband providers (Towerstream or Pipeline)?