For more information or a
no-obligation site evaluation, call
Robert at
402-1166
Kootenay Wireless has been working hard, starting in 2006,
to make High-Speed Internet a reality in the Creston Valley
outside of the town of Creston, BC.
So what's the problem?
Do you live outside the town (or even around the edges)
where you cannot get high-speed Internet, either ADSL from
Telus or Cable Internet from Shaw?
Here's our answer!
Our solution is to provide a high-speed wireless network
connection between you and downtown Creston where our
Internet backbone is located. Of course, there are some
challenges to accomplishing this, such as trees blocking
your line-of-sight to our antennas, etc., so we will need
to do a site evaluation to see if a wireless connection is
practical for your situation. There is no cost and no
obligation for this evaluation.
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About Our Wireless Network
Kootenay Wireless has, to date, built a wireless network
infrastructure that currently provides service to
Riverview, Canyon, Lister, the Flats, West Creston and
Wynndel. Our aim is to continue extending coverage in these
areas so that high-speed Internet is available to as many
people as possible from the US border to Wynndel. We also
plan to provide wireless Internet for the East Shore of
Kootenay Lake and Boswell as soon as possible. If we can
overcome the heavy forest challenges of getting a signal to
folks in the Arrow Creek and Kitchener areas, then we'll
serve those areas too.
Q. How is our high-speed Internet
delivered?
A. Each user is connected to our high-speed network
infrastructure with an antenna and data radio. In cases
where two or more neighbours live in close proximity to
each other, it can be even more economical for each by
sharing one antenna installation. See question below for
more information.
Q. How fast is it?
A. Our wireless network is currently able to deliver over
6 Mbits/sec to customers, provided the Internet server will
send data at that rate (which is not often). This is about
twice as fast as a typical ADSL account in town. We carefully
control the upload speeds because that is the main factor that
determines how responsive the network is to everybody. At the
moment, we permit up to about 500 kbits/sec, which is enough
to upload sizable files in only a few minutes. Our network is
structured in such a way that we can increase the download and
upload speeds from time-to-time as needs change and budget allows.
Q. Where is your tower?
A. We don't use towers. The topography of the Creston
Valley would require quite a few towers in order to provide
adequate coverage for most residents outside of the town of
Creston. That would be very expensive and would look
unsightly, ruining the aesthetics of the natural landscape.
Our approach is to copy the way the Internet itself is
built ... a web of nodes over which the data travels to its
destination. Over time, the number of nodes (users) is
increasing, making it possible that data may eventually
have multiple pathways to reach its destination. That
improves reliability and speed for everyone in the long
run.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. The cost of an installation consists of a flat $495
installation/setup fee which includes all necessary equipment.
After installation, Kootenay Wireless will bill you $50/month
for your Internet account, which covers bandwidth usage and all
servicing to the wireless network equipment. There are no extra
bills to pay! (Does not include customer's computer(s), router,
or other accessories owned by the customer)
Q. Can neighbors share an antenna
installation?
A. If two or more neighbors are physically less than 100
meters apart ... certainly! The technique is to connect the
neighbors together either with Ethernet cable or possibly a
local secure wireless access point to create a "neighbor
LAN" which is then connected to the Internet using just one
antenna/radio installation. Sharing the installation can
reduce the cost for each neighbor, but each will be
required to have his/her own Internet account ($50/month)
with Kootenay Wireless. Of course, a site evaluation will
be necessary to determine if this approach is feasible.
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About Kootenay Wireless
Robert Lawson, the principal of Kootenay Wireless, has a
lifelong professional involvement with electronics --
servicing, product design, and manufacturing ... plus
computer programming: embedded, server, desktop, and notebook.
For more information or a
no-obligation site evaluation, call
Robert at
402-1166