Skeptics can say whatever they want about muni-broadband, but I still think small communities are smart to take their broadband destiny in their own hand. Today, Sandersville, Georgia launched a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) fixed wireless system. The press release I linked to is written by someone to hit all the buzz-words like WiMAX, and HotSpot. In reality, this is a fixed wireless system that uses pre-standard gear from Navini Networks and does not allow walk-around-access, as the press release would like you to believe. That said, Sandersville’s police and fire departments are using this sytems. Over 50 subscribers were using the system within a week after deployment. The system was designed and deployed by Tri-State Broadband, Inc., an Atlanta-based company. Tri-State was formed 2 1/2 years ago and has since helped over a dozen rural communities establish their muni-nets!
Navini’s stuff allows walk-around access.
Yes, Sandersville has taken their municipal connectivity into their own hands. And yes, this is technocally pre-WiMAX technology. However, beta testing for walk around technology is done. Implementation for emergency personnel is being designed into the network and we are deploying such systems throughout the Southeast. FYI – Director of Marketing for Tri-State Broadband, Inc.