The amazing Luisa Handem, from RuMBA, had me back on her "Rural America Radio" show this afternoon. I invited our technology and retail partner, SkyWay USA's CSO, Don Smith to join us and we had a wonderful conversation though it went by much too fast for me.

I seriously could have discussed this topic, especially the second round of ARRA funding and the difficulties in connecting this county's exceptionally rural communities, for at least 2 more hours. I really hope that we can come back soon.

I applaud Luisa for her dedication and passion for discussing this topic on her weekly online radio show.

Here's her web site with both a download (6.7 Mb) and a stream of today's show, see link below. Its the third tab on the left down. The one with today's date.

For more info: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/luisahandem

EchoStar Offers Satellite Communications for Haiti Relief Agencies

January 19, 2010

EchoStar News Advisory
Jan. 19, 2010

EchoStar Offers Satellite Communications for Haiti Relief Agencies

EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) and provider of satellite-related backhaul, aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data domestically and internationally, is donating satellite communications services to Haiti relief agencies following the disastrous earthquake. As part of its outreach, EchoStar notified the FCC about its intentions on Jan. 14.

EchoStar is offering Ku-band satellite bandwidth capacity onboard its EchoStar IX satellite located at 121 degrees W.L. Relief agencies seeking to establish an emergency channel or conduct satellite backhaul or uplink services should contact EchoStar’s Traffic Desk at 888-778-3728. EchoStar IX’s satellite beam covers the United States, including Haiti due to its close proximity.

Broadband Stimulus Still Overlooks 40M Households

So, by reading this report, are they saying there are 40M homes NOT passed by terrestrial broadband? After speaking with many service providers, P.U.C.s and other organizations in the CONUS, nobody really seems to know. What we all do know is, there are a lot of folks stuck on dial-up who need help here. Please call us to see how easy it is to add Broadband in a Box to your current high speed Internet offerings and never have to tell a prospect "NO, we do not serve your area", ever again.

Happy Holidays...

Regards,

Thomas William
Vice President of Partner Solutions
Broadband in a Box
1302 Clear Springs Trace
Louisville Kentucky 40223
(800) 761.9149 : office
(502) 426.2067 : local
(502) 263.9879 : my mobile
(502) 515.3710 : fax

email: tomw@bbinabox.com
web: www.bbinabox.com
skype: bbinabox
chat: broadbandinabox@gmail.com
icq: 562727303
blog: http://broadbandinabox.blogspot.com
network: http://linkedin.com/in/broadbandinabox
# # # #

New Study Finds $7.2B Not Nearly Enough

Kelly M. Teal
12/15/2009

The $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funds isn’t nearly enough to bring high-speed Internet access to 49 percent of households in the United States.

That’s the word from a new report published by Insight Research Corp., which found that, in spite of increased adoption fueled by the broadband stimulus program, 40 million households still won’t have broadband options by the end of 2014.

Robert Rosenberg, president of Insight Research, said the Obama Administration understands the direct relationship between broadband access and America’s economic health. But, he added, “the current allocation of funds is just not going to get the job done.”

Spending $6.4 billion amounts to an investment of $164 per household to get broadband access to households that need it, Insight Research found. That small number “casts serious doubt that any significant expansion of broadband access will result from this government action,” Insight Research said in a press release. “This position is further bolstered by the argument that, at the current estimate of $1,500 per household, at least $60 billion would be needed to deploy universal broadband access.”

Part of the problem is a lot of people don’t have computers.

“Our analysis found that a substantial portion of the 49 percent without broadband had no computers in their homes,” Rosenberg said. “There is a chicken and egg problem here that needs to be considered by our policy makers.”

To that point, there may be some hope. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., last week introduced a bill that would reform the Universal Service Fund to help pay for low-income users’ monthly broadband access and even help those subscribers buy the necessary computer equipment.

In the meantime, the question of the broadband stimulus efficacy remains. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS) have yet to name recipients of the first round of grants and loans. All of the money must be distributed by Sept. 30, 2010.

Related Articles:
• Broadband Stimulus: Just One More Funding Round Slated

source

NOW AVAILABLE: SkyFinder AZ/EL Tool

For figuring out the Azimuth/Elevation (Az/El) for your customers, please go to:

http://skyfinder.swmodem.com

You will need to choose "AMC-15" from the drop-down menu and enter the Zip Code for the property that the dish is being installed.

If there is an obstacle in the path, it also has a handy "Height Tool" to help out.

Regards,

Thomas William
Vice President of Partner Solutions
Broadband in a Box
1302 Clear Springs Trace
Louisville Kentucky 40223
(800) 761.9149 : office
(502) 426.2067 : local
(502) 263.9879 : my mobile
(502) 515.3710 : fax

email: tomw@bbinabox.com
web: www.bbinabox.com
skype: bbinabox
chat: broadbandinabox@gmail.com
icq: 562727303
blog: http://broadbandinabox.blogspot.com
network: http://linkedin.com/in/broadbandinabox

Telephony Online article on our Solution (Sept. 2009)

We received a write-up from our good friend, Ed Gubbins at Telephony Magazine regarding our 1st CLEC deployment in West Virginia.

This time on their fantastic web site, check it out: Broadband in a Box wins first CLEC

For those readers who are link-challenged, I've created a photo of it which you can click on and read it up above^.

Thanks for Everything you all!

Regards,

Thomas William
Vice President of Partner Solutions
Broadband in a Box
1302 Clear Springs Trace
Louisville Kentucky 40223
(800) 761.9149 : office
(502) 426.2067 : local
(502) 263.9879 : my mobile
(502) 515.3710 : fax

:email:::::::::::::::::::::::: tomw@bbinabox.com
:web::::::::::::::::::::::::::: www.bbinabox.com
:skype::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: bbinabox
:chat::::::::::::::::: broadbandinabox@gmail.com
:icq:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 562727303
:blog::::::: http://broadbandinabox.blogspot.com
:network: http://linkedin.com/in/broadbandinabox

Speaking of that fine Telephony Online article, Broadband in a Box wins first CLEC:

It was just chosen as the Smart Brief Editors Pick of the Day!

A hearty congrats goes out to Ed Gubbins and the fine folks at FiberNet for making things happen and taking names in this 'depressed economy!

Regards,

Thomas-
800-761-9149 office
502-263-9879 mobile
tomw@bbinabox.com
www.bbinabox.com

I have supported 15 year olds and 75 year olds installing our system!

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

If you can't already tell, I love my job and this is the favorite part of it. I have worked with 1,000's of people in your exact position today. From 15 years old high school drama students, to 68 year old grandmothers, to 75 year old ex-marines named Carl who's 37 year old ex-marine neighbor trained as a radio technician gave up after 9 minutes and I convinced him to climb on his roof to tune in the signal himself.

Thank you again for your interest in our rural broadband solution. We look forward to hearing your test results and ultimately supporting your successful launch of services to your rural subscribers.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

Oh, by the way, Carl found the signal himself in less than 10-minutes!!!

Tom-

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #

AT&T: FCC Must Fix Universal Service Fund

Telco Said Commission Needs To Address USF Before Focusing On National Broadband Plan

John Eggerton -- Multichannel News, 6/15/2009 11:29:22 AM MT

AT&T says that the Federal Communications Commission cannot get serious about a national broadband plan until it fixes the Universal Service Fund, which.underwrites telecommunications service in hard-to-reach or uneconomical-to-reach areas..

That came in response to the FCC's announcement Monday of the latest USF contribution percentage, which is now at 12.9%, up from 9.5% at the beginning of the year, says AT&T, a whopping 36% increase.

The fund's base continues to shrink as more people drop landline for wireless and Internet phone service.

"The universal service fund is in a death spiral, driven by growing demands on the fund, the decline of the wireline model and consumer migration to other platforms and services," said AT&T in a statement. "These factors cause the government to ask for more money from a shrinking base of phone customers to support the goals of universal service. This vicious cycle leads to higher and higher USF fees.... In order to begin a discussion on a national broadband plan, the commission must address comprehensive universal service reform."

Most companies and government agencies concede the fund needs fixing. One proposal has been to expand it beyond phone service to include broadband, which would both broaden the base of contributors and start underwriting broadband deployment, which is a national priority of Congress, the administration and the FCC.

Currently, the fund goes to subsidize telephone service, but if the Democrats now in control of Congress have their way, it will be extended to underwriting the broadband build-out as well. That would be in addition to the $7.2 billion in the economic stimulus package going toward that same goal.

House Communication Subcommittee chairman Rick Boucher (D-Va.), who has previously proposed reforming the fund, has said he and his past partner in that effort, Lee Terry (R-Neb.), would be reintroducing a bill to expand the revenue base for the fund.

source

Telephony Magazine article on our Solution (June 2009)

RE: Telephony Magazine article on our Solution (June 2009)

I am proud to say that we had an article published in this month's Telephony Magazine, (page 20). I have attached a photo I made from a fax a good friend sent to me yesterday.

I believe now is the best time to get involved. We are working with Telco's in 27 states on field tests prior to their signing our agreement. We are available to do the same with your rural customers. One email to your employees and/or rural customers can literally tell if there is demand or not.

Will you have time this week to discuss next steps?If so, call us at 1-800-761-9149

With Telephony Magazine actively watching and reporting on our rural efforts, USDA still considering our solution for RUS loans and our alternative financing almost ready to go, we have the solution which will help maintain and grow your rural exchange high speed Internet business and beyond.

Have a great day.

Regards,

Thomas William
Vice President of Partner Solutions
Broadband in a Box
1302 Clear Springs Trace
Louisville Kentucky 40223
(800) 761.9149 : office
(502) 426.2067 : local
(502) 263.9879 : my mobile
(502) 515.3710 : fax

:email:::::::::::::::::::::::: tomw@bbinabox.com
:web::::::::::::::::::::::::::: www.bbinabox.com
:skype::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: bbinabox
:chat::::::::::::::::: broadbandinabox@gmail.com
:icq:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 562727303
:blog::::::: http://broadbandinabox.blogspot.com
:network: http://linkedin.com/in/broadbandinabox

The Failure of 3G Hurts Apple and Its Competition

By 24/7 Wall St. Monday, May. 11, 2009

A poster touting applications available for Apple's iPhone and iPod touch hangs from a metal support at the Macworld Conference and Expo in San Francisco. Apple says it has 25,000 apps in its app store and there's one for "just about anything."

Paul Sakuma / AP

The inadequacy of 3G networks to carry data and video for large numbers of handsets simultaneously is hurting the performance of the Apple (AAPL) iPhone. The problem only starts there. The weakness of 3G networks has also likely undermined the consumer's opinion of new products from RIM (RIMM), the Samsung Instinct, and a host of new products from market leader Nokia (NOK).

Related

Scooters and the Stimulus Package

Antitrust Action Against Intel Could Tie it Up in Legal Problems for Years

George Soros Says the Economy is Improving. Do Billionaires Know Best?

More Related

• Cell Phones and Connections Faster than Lightning
• The iPhone: Second Time’s a Charm
• The Cheaper, Faster iPhone

None of the consumer electronics companies banking on 3G to drive handset sales to pre-recession levels are going to be able to count on their carrier partners for services that will show off the best features of phones that can download and manipulate files, access the internet, and play video. (See pictures of the iPhone.)

The Wall Street Journal reports that the iPhone is so feature rich that "the resulting growth in downloading and Web browsing will strain AT&T's network." AT&T is not alone. Sprint (S) and Verizon Wireless (VZ)(VOD) are up against the same problems.

The promise of 4G wireless networks, which should operate at speeds five to ten times faster than 3G, may be years away. Sprint is testing WiMax ultra-fast broadband in several cities, but there is no guarantee that the technology will work in nationwide rollout. AT&T and Verizon are preparing technologies which are supposed to offer similar results. (See the top ten gadgets of 2008.)

The handset and cell industries face a particularly vexing problem. The current 3G networks are not powerful enough to allow consumers with advanced handsets to take advantage of all of their features, especially networks strained by huge transfers of data to and from handsets. It is a problem that cannot be solved soon enough to keep customers from being disappointed because the phones they have purchased will not work well on the services they have subscribed to.

— Douglas A. McIntyre

source

GPRS/EDGE hybrid Satellite modem UPDATE: 5/2/2009

We recently tested our new GPRS/EDGE hybrid Satellite modem and saw consistent 80Kbps uploads (AT&T) and 170Kbps uploads (T-Mobile) with consistent 1.1+ Mbps downloads (AMC-15/EchoStar Fixed Satellite Corp.)

One test conducted = requesting a 100Mb file

Satellite received: 106976 kB
GPRS/EDGE received: 46 kB
GPRS/EDGE sent: 153 kB

The AT&T signal had t only 2 bars. The T-Mobile was at 5 (do you hear me now?). The SW-20 GPRS/EDGE modem comes with an external antenna and it helped out.

We have been testing for a week and should have more results shortly. Our manufacturing/engineering partners will be in from Europe on Tuesday, so we're all excited to get things kicked off very soon i.e. FCC certification, evaluation units in, etc.

Imagine a low latency, mobile & easy to install system which can be used anywhere that you have GPRS cellular data available.

I just received some .75 Prodelins from SatEng, and they are beautiful.

Concept of the geostationary communications satellite

Have you ever wondered how satellite communications got its start? Thanks to Wikipedia, we have the story. Also, please download the companion piece written by Arthur C. Clarke, the father of satellite Technology - HERE. (Special thanks to the Clarke Foundation)

From Wikipedia

Geostationary orbit

Main article: Geostationary orbit

Clarke's most important scientific contribution may be his idea that geostationary satellites would be ideal telecommunications relays. He described this concept in a paper titled Extra-Terrestrial Relays — Can Rocket Stations Give Worldwide Radio Coverage?, published in Wireless World in October 1945.^[68] The geostationary orbit is now sometimes known as the Clarke Orbit or the Clarke Belt in his honour.

However, it is not clear that this article was actually the inspiration for the modern telecommunications satellite. John R. Pierce, of Bell Labs, arrived at the idea independently in 1954 and he was actually involved in the Echo satellite and Telstar projects. Moreover, Pierce stated that the idea was "in the air" at the time and certain to be developed regardless of Clarke's publication. In an interview given shortly before his death, Clarke was asked whether he thought communications satellites would become important; he replied

"I'm often asked why I didn't try to patent the idea of communications satellites. My answer is always, ‘A patent is really a license to be sued.' "^[69]

Though different from Clarke's idea of telecom relay, the idea of communicating with satellites in geostationary orbit itself had been described earlier. For example, the concept of geostationary satellites was described in Hermann Oberth's 1923 book Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen^[70] (The Rocket into Interplanetary Space) and then the idea of radio communication with those satellites in Herman Potočnik's (written under the pseudonym Hermann Noordung) 1928 book Das Problem der Befahrung des Weltraums — der Raketen-Motor (The Problem of Space Travel — The Rocket Motor) sections: Providing for Long Distance Communications and Safety^[71] and (possibly referring to the idea of relaying messages via satellite, but not that 3 would be optimal) Observing and Researching the Earth's Surface^[72] published in Berlin. Clarke acknowledged the earlier concept in his book Profiles of the Future.^[73]

WildBlue Completes Agreement to Lease Ka-band Capacity From EchoStar

By: PR Newswire

Mar. 26, 2009 11:52 AM

Additional Capacity Will Allow WildBlue to Serve More Customers In High-Demand Rural Areas in U.S. through 2009 and Beyond.

DENVER, March 26 /PRNewswire/ -- WildBlue and EchoStar Satellite Services, a division of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) today announced that the two companies have completed an agreement for WildBlue to lease additional Ka-band capacity from EchoStar. This additional capacity comes from EchoStar's currently leased in-space satellites.

WildBlue anticipates additional capacity will become available in the second half of 2009, delivering the same speeds and quality of service enjoyed by current WildBlue customers. New customers who are provisioned on the new capacity from EchoStar will have the same WildBlue package options available to them and use the same equipment as current WildBlue customers.

"This agreement with EchoStar allows us to keep pace with the increasing demand for WildBlue broadband service in rural America today," said David Leonard, CEO of WildBlue. "As the demand for high-speed Internet service in remote areas continues to grow, we intend to utilize every resource available to us to provide the capacity to meet that demand. This is just a first step in our plan to add more capacity to the WildBlue network. There are additional options currently being explored."

According to WildBlue, the additional capacity will allow its dealer network to continue selling high-speed broadband access in many areas of the continental U.S. where customer demand has been highest. WildBlue is currently working on adding additional capacity to its network to meet the demands in future years.

To find out more about WildBlue's fast, reliable Internet service call 1-866-WILDBLUE (1-866-945-3258) or visit www.wildblue.com.

About WildBlue

WildBlue Communications, Inc. was established to provide broadband access to consumers and small offices in rural areas and small cities. Service is available in the contiguous United States. More information on the company is available at www.wildblue.com.

About EchoStar Satellite Services

EchoStar Satellite Services is a business unit of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) and provides a highly reliable network that is available for backhaul, aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data content domestically and internationally. EchoStar also offers the ViP-TV platform providing IPTV solutions for telco and cable operators. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services with access to a fleet of eight satellites, sophisticated ground-based teleport facilities, and an expansive terrestrial backhaul network crisscrossing the U.S. along with 24-hour Traffic, Technical Operations and Satellite Access Centers staffed by highly trained engineers and technicians. For more information on EchoStar Satellite Services or for occasional or full time satellite bandwidth, contact 866-359-8804 or email efss@echostar.com.

Press Contacts:

WildBlue: Bryan Bjerke, Paulsen Marketing, 605-336-1745, bryan@paulsenmarketing.com

EchoStar: Marc Lumpkin, 303-706-5236, marc.lumpkin@echostar.com.

SOURCE WildBlue Communications, Inc.

Avail Media scoops up IP-Prime customers

March 29, 2009 — 11:47pm ET | By Dan O'Shea

Related Stories

• EchoStar chases IP-Prime customers
• Avail Media reports strong growth
• IP-Prime's fall raises further questions
• National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative's Forrer: IP-Prime to go prime time

Last week, EchoStar made overtures to the IP-Prime wholesale IPTV customers of SES Americom, and now Avail Media is touting its own success winning over telcos that up until now have been using IP-Prime. Avail Media, another IPTV wholesaler, announced that it has so far converted nine IP-Prime customers, including BEK Communications Cooperative of North Dakota.

SES Americom is ending the IP-Prime service later this year, a move it announced late last year. Avail Media and EchoStar are among some of the companies that have been vying to replace SES Americom in the hearts of IP-Prime telcos.

For more:
- Here's the Avail Media press release

Related articles
EchoStar last week announced a program targeting IP-Prime customers
SES Americom announced the demise of IP-Prime last December

What's in the Box?

Applying for Broadband Grants through RUS

Created by Anna M. Gould (EDUCAUSE) on March 12, 2009

Yesterday’s blog focused on the broadband grant process at the Department of Commerce’s NTIA program. Today we take a look at the Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) program. It should be noted that both departments issued a joint request for information and notice of public meetings, which will allow the public to submit comments on the broadband initiative.

At Tuesday’s conference, the USDA’s Assistant Administrator for Telecommunications Programs, Dave Villano, said 75% of the designated stimulus money must be used in rural areas to foster rural economic development. The RUS program may distribute up to $2.5 billion for grants, loans, and loan guarantees. And unlike its counterpart at the Department of Commerce, RUS already has two existing programs for appropriating funding for broadband. Because of the existing programs, they are expected to keep many of their process and eligibility rules in place.

Similar to the NTIA, RUS will publish a Notice of Funding Available (NOFA) in the Federal Register. They are also expected to have three notices of funding, which should give interested parties more time to apply for grants over the next few months. In other words, no one is expecting that all of the money will be awarded in the first wave of acceptances. The first NOFA is expected around the April-June 2009 timeframe.

More Information on RUS Broadband:

• Applicants may apply for both RUS and NTIA grants; however, restrictions may apply on how the money is distributed for projects.
• Unlike the NTIA’s September 2010 deadline, RUS does not have a deadline for distributing money. However, they are expected to conduct their three waves of grant distribution over the next 18 months.
• The current loan and grant programs at RUS focus on providing funding for “construction, improvement, and/or acquisition of facilities or equipment to expand broadband services to rural communities.” (Source: Dow Lohnes)
• Under current law, RUS must give priority to those entities proposing to provide service to areas lacking any service over applicants looking to expand access or broadband options.
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act- the economic stimulus - allows the RUS to also prioritize applications based on: 1) if they provide choice of providers, 2) if they provide accessibility to the highest number possible of rural residents currently without any broadband access, and 3) if they were prior RUS borrowers.
• Though RUS may distribute money through loans and grants, it is believed that most of the economic stimulus funding will be used for grants.
• Currently, grant applicants must demonstrate that they are able to provide broadband access to areas that currently do not have access. Furthermore, they must be willing to supply service to “critical community facilities,” such as schools, libraries, and health centers. Finally, they must offer broadband to all businesses and residences in their service area, and provide ten publicly available computers for at least two years. These requirements are listed under current rules for broadband grants and may or may not apply to ARRA grants.
• RUS applications have been prioritized based on how rural an area may be (40% of an application’s score), economic need in the proposed area (30% of the score), and the benefits a community may receive if provided with broadband access (30% of the score). (Source: Dow Lohnes)
• While RUS already has established rules and processes, it is worth mentioning that the USDA may adjust some of its rules for ARRA funding. The USDA is encouraging all interested parties to submit feedback through the NTIA web site.
  

SOURCE

Applying for Broadband Grants Through the NTIA

Created by Anna M. Gould (EDUCAUSE) on March 11, 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s Broadband Initiative allows two entities to distribute broadband funding: the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) program and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This post will look at the basics for applying for NTIA grants.

Funding through this program is aimed at improving broadband access in underserved and unserved areas with a special concentration on "community anchor institutions," including schools, public safety organizations, and health care centers. Yesterday, the NTIA posted a notice in the Federal Register asking for feedback on the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. After collecting comments for 30 days, NTIA will issue a Notice of Funding Available, or NOFA. This notice will contain final application rules, which are required before any grant funding may be distributed. It is expected that the agency will issue three NOFAs in order to provide enough time for states and others to complete their applications. NTIA is working on a very short deadline, since they are required to disperse all funding by September 30, 2010.

The NTIA’s “Broadband Technology Opportunities Program” (BTOP) is charged with distributing $4.7 billion, including $350 million for broadband mapping. Eligible applicants include any state, local, territorial or tribal government, as well as non-profit organizations. It is also possible that ISPs, infrastructure providers, and other for-profit ventures may be eligible if they can prove it is in the “public interest,” a term yet to be defined. Yesterday, Bernadette McGuire-Rivera, the Associate Administrator of the NTIA, said many are concerned about the definitions of “unserved” and “underserved” areas. Her agency will be collecting public comments in order to address this, as well as a myriad of other questions and concerns.

More information:

v The first of three notices will likely be released in the April-June timeframe. It is expected that the second window would be in the fall and the last would be in spring of 2010.

v Each state must receive some funding.

v Applicants are encouraged to be concise with both their public comments and applications.

v NTIA plans to award funding through BTOP’s four major areas: broadband mapping, general broadband, community computing and innovative applications.

v Applicants must demonstrate how their project would efficiently use grant money for fulfilling the program’s goals. They must also show that they would be able to complete the project, and provide at least 20 percent of its costs. Finally, applicants must demonstrate that a given project would be impossible if they did not receive a BTOP grant before September 2010.

v Applicants can apply to both the NTIA’s BTOP program, as well as the USDA’s RUS program. There are restrictions, however.

v The rule-making process will be critical, since questions remain about eligibility and grant distribution priorities. No applications will be accepted by the NTIA until grant criteria is established and rules are adopted. That said, McGuire-Rivera recommends that people begin working on their applications now.

***********Tomorrow: Applying for Broadband Grants Through the RUS.****************************

SOURCE

DOWNLOAD FED REGISTER HERE - http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_BTOP_RFI_090312.pdf

BirDog Tuner Discussion

I just joined SatelliteGuys.US because there are a ton of passionate folks discussing our solution there. One of the first threads that I jumped into is: SkywayUSA and Birdog

Skyway builds distribution network in North America

Friday, February 13, 2009

Business First of Louisville - by Sarah Jeffords Pister Staff Writer

Even in the midst of an economic downturn, officials with Skyway USA LLC have signed new distribution agreements that will take the company’s satellite Internet service to international customers.

Skyway offers a self-installed satellite product that gives residents in rural areas access to high-speed Internet service, an option that typically is not available through traditional telephone and cable providers.

Canadian partner Business Television began marketing Skyway’s satellite broadband service in Canada this year under the name Skyway Canada, and Business Television is slated to launch Skyway Mexico in the second quarter, said Dwayne Hay, Skyway president and CEO.

Skyway USA also has received a letter of intent from a South American company that would market the service in a four-country region.

Another distribution partner has expressed interest in taking the service to Europe and Asia.

Fast-paced growth anticipated

Company officials believe the agreements will lead to a significant jump in sales.

Projections call for increasing revenue this year to 10 times the amount generated in 2008, said Gerald Tyrell, Skyway USA’s CFO.

He declined to disclose the company’s revenue or its number of customers. But Tyrell said that 2008 revenue was six times that of 2007.

Don Smith, chairman of the advisory board, said the company is cash-flow positive, but he declined to disclose figures.

One big push this past year has been to expand the company’s distribution channels, not only internationally but domestically.

Company officials recently established a network of dealers, such as appliance and computer stores in rural towns, that sell the service.

In addition, Skyway works with dealers that advertise the service and then handle inquiries through call centers.

The company currently has about 80 dealers who sell directly to consumers. The serv­ice also can be purchased online.

Wholesale distributors in place

On the wholesale side, Skyway recently signed an agreement with Chicago-based Agristar Global Networks Ltd., which will market the Skyway service to its agricultural customers.

Agristar offers an online subscription service that provides real-time information on weather conditions, commodities, market analysis and agricultural news.

Agristar previously worked with companies that use satellite transmission for both uploading and downloading.

But Skyway’s service is “one way,” meaning it uploads Internet requests through a dial-up connection that uses the customers’ landline or cell phone and then downloads content via satellite.

Kip Pendleton, Agristar president and co-CEO, said that allows Skyway to offer “a more economic alternative that more people across rural America will be able to access and utilize.”

Skyway also sells to wholesale customers through another Louisville firm, Broadband in a Box.

Michael Boone, president and owner of Broadband in a Box, had long sold dial-up Internet service to rural customers through a separate business that he also owned.

Customers kept asking for a high-speed alternative, Boone said. So when he learned about Skyway’s offering, he immediately wanted to get involved.

“The need is across the country,” he said.

Broadband in a Box has the exclusive rights to sell Skyway to Internet service providers and telephone companies that now offer only dial-up services in rural areas across the United States. These wholesalers then market the Skyway service to their customers under a private label.

Skyway is an easy sell, Boone said, partly because the service aligns with a federal grant program designed to bring broadband service to rural parts of the country.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program offers funds to Internet service providers that make high-speed Internet service available to rural residents.

More inventory needed

Skyway’s challenge in the ensuing months will be to manage its growth, particularly by maintaining inventories of modems and related equipment included in the installation kit.

The company currently keeps enough inventory for one month of sales. As sales increase, those upfront costs might need to be financed, Tyrell said.

But Tyrell is confident that the company can achieve its growth goals even with the current economic conditions.

“The economy will affect our business,” Tyrell said. “But it will affect our business a lot less than it would if we weren’t marketing to rural America with public service mandates and marketing the low-cost service.”

Skyway USA LLC

Description: Provides satellite broadband service to rural areas
Location: 1302 Clear Springs Trace
Employees: 25, including 10 in Louisville
Web site: www.skywayusa.com

How it compares

Skyway USA LLC differs from most other satellite Internet service providers in that its service is “one way” — it uploads Internet requests through a dial-up connection using the customers’ land line or cell phone and then downloads content via satellite.
Other companies use satellite transmission for both uploading and downloading.
Skyway’s model enables it to offer the service at a lower cost than other national providers.
Here are fees charged by Skyway and two other national providers, based on information found on each company’s Web site.
• Skyway: Equipment cost is $49 after a rebate. Monthly service plans start at $29.95 per month.
• Hughes Network Systems LLC: Equipment cost is $299.98 after a rebate, or it can be leased for $99 upfront and $9.99 per month. Monthly service plans start at $59.99.
• WildBlue Communications Inc.: Current promotional offer is for an upfront fee of $99.95 plus shipping and handling. Equipment lease fee is $5.95 per month. Monthly service plans start at $49.95 per month.

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