Bringing end of line broadband to rural America.
Rather than being a news story, this is one of my rambling lectures. However, , if you want to read the news it was in the Associated Press just a while back. They're supposed to be a stimulus the something like over $7 billion to bring broadband into rural America. You might want to look that up in Google. [CBS link below]
Meanwhile, let me explain a few little details that perhaps the average person is not aware of. Many years ago we enjoyed Coast to Coast television programs in real time because an extensive microwave network that had been set up by the telephone company, the broadcasters, and other commercial concerns. The TECHNOLOGY at that time allowed people to have quality telephone communications, data communications, and television broadcasting from one side of the country to the other. The Internet back in those days was not even a dream. The microwave system worked pretty good, but was very pricey at that time.
When satellite communication came in, there was a big move to put everything up in the air. This made a lot of sense for television broadcasting. And today that is the principal means of sending television signals around the world. But, optical cable has been coming along very fast. Most major cities now have an optical trunk. The optical trunk can carry much more data than you can put on any satellite. However, it is hard to compare the two technologies because of the cost and the logistics. What that means is, in some cases no matter how much money you have, you just can't do it. Well, that's enough for the history lesson.
At the present time many people think the only way to have Internet SERVICE out in the rural areas is to use a satellite. That is a lot of punk. There has been many things available for all areas long before satellites were put up. Some of these methods may not be exactly what we call cost-effective, but they did work.
A big part of the problem is getting permission from the government to try new technologies and use frequencies that were reserved for other services but were never used. So, it is, to some extent, a political and economical issue. So, that's where we are today. It can be done but who will pay for it.
So here's my point. If you live in a very isolated rural community and you want to have Internet access don't fall into the trap of thinking satellite is the only option you have. There are other options. But to get it you may have to contact other people in your area and form a consensus of what your needs are and what you're willing to pay. Below is a link to a recent news story you might be interested in.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/12/17/politics/main5990170.shtml

Any comments?




There will always be areas of the world, even in the US, where broadband will not be available. That the US government is setting aside $7.2 billion for broadband access is just a drop in the bucket compared to what the phone, cable, and even power companies have spent over the last 20+ years to upgrade their service.

BTW, talking about microwave, but somewhat off the topic, several years ago, I was up a tower at 265' setting up a microwave dish when a jet fighter at probably about 300 MPH FLEW about 50' from me.

Microwave has been mostly replaced by fiber and satellites, but there is still a lot of it out there.If it was an F-14 that was probably me....Quote from: patio on December 30, 2009, 06:58:06 PM

If it was an F-14 that was probably me....

There are many things more important than broadband.
This might shock many of you, but more than 90% of the worlds population doesn't know where supper is coming from. How important is the speedy porn when you're hungry?