SVTBBC - NEWS

CLAYSON LEADS INSTALLATION OF NEW T1 ON ALLEN'S HILL

AFTER LONG DELAYS

POTENTIAL FOR TRIPLING CAPACITY

Alan Clayson has been busy the last few weeks working for this cooperative. As a result of his work and that of other volunteers, the long-awaited new T1 transmitter has finally been installed. It is broadcasting, but we still need to adjust the antenna’s direction and attitude, so that the signal will reach the maximum of residents requesting membership. Once the T1 is at full use, it will nearly triple the capacity of our current network.

This installation required a lot of work, some of it arduous, some even dangerous. From negotiating with landowners (Bob and Chip) to clearing around poles (Bob, Chip, and Richard D’Urso) to mounting the antenna (Bob, CJ, Alan, Blake) to final tuning, testing and installation (Alan, who logged days and weeks in testing and researching), and to pestering Sovernet, FairPoint, and The State of Vermont (my job) , this success rests on hundreds of hours contributed by 7 members of the cooperative.

SHOULDERS TO THE WHEEL

So this might be a good time to remember what “cooperative” means. In theory, a cooperative grants benefits to members, who, in return, donate time to building and maintaining the system. This reciprocation produces very low costs for members.

Well, we have low costs and, in time, we hope to make them still lower. The burden of expanding and maintaining our network, however, still rests almost entirely upon a handful of volunteers (none of whom receives any compensation). If you have a skill that might help us, or want to learn a new one, do let me know. If you have equipment or other resources you would like to donate or lend, please tell me.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

The next step for the cooperative will be the installation of EUMs (receiving radios) at the homes of people who have requested membership. At times such installations are quick and easy, but most of the time some problem pops up[ and the installers find themselves spending hours or even days on one installation. Helpers are always need. People interested in learning how to install EUMs are much in demand.

So, if you have asked for membership, please remind me. I have a list, but I want to double-check to make sure it is in order. If you can remember the date of your request, all the better.

We will begin installing additional EUMs, as our time permits, once the direction and attitude of the antenna have been adjusted to give the cooperative maximum benefits. Think about contributing your time as the cooperative enters this significant stage of expansion.

Funding came from The Vermont Telecommunications Authority. Thanks to Charlie Kremer.

Thanks also to The Vermont Department of Public Services, and in particular to Corey Chase.

Thanks to Judy Eshelman and Joanna Bazin at Sovernet.

Peter Grudin, J.P.

President, SVBC

FAIRPOINT TRIES NEW STRATEGY

VOLUNTEERS BEGIN INSTALLING REPEATER

The latest word from The Vermont Department of Public Services is that FairPoint has abandoned its negations with Verizon. FP now plans to run the connection to Stamford from Brattleboro instead of from Bennington. My guess is that they are doing this to avoid stepping on Verizon's toes in MA.This sounds like a good plan. Would have been a better plan several months ago. I have no idea how long it will take, but will let you know as soon as find out.

It's been roughly a year now since we made our first request for a T1.

In the mean time Bob, Alan, CJ, and I spend most of last Monday trying to install a repeater at Blake's house on Allen's peak (eventual site of the new T1). CJand Al are still working on some problems we encountered. Once we get it running, it should provide service for some members who have none. Who and how many these are remains a question that requires further testing.

For myself, I am now capable of programming radios, and thus of doing simple installations. In many cases, however, I will need help from someone fond of roofs. I am not.

Volunteers are always welcome in this all-volunteer cooperative.

GOOD NEWS: MILK-HOUSE PROBLEM SOLVED AND REPAIRED

Friday, October 11, 2008

Today Alan Clayson discovered what was degrading the signal from the
milk house and restored the connection to good health. I watched him
do it. The problem turned out to be a faulty connector.

This means that many cooperative members who get their signals from
the milk house (as opposed to from the school) should have stronger
connections now. It is possible that a couple of members who had lost
connectivity to the milk house will find that they can connect to the
internet again.

Many thanks to Alan, who has made the roof and interior of the milk
house into a kind of second home by spending so much time laboring on
its roof and rooting through connections in its innards.

Peter

FAIRPOINT-VERIZON SPAT REVEALED AS CAUSE OF T1 DELAY

We have made little progress in getting our new T1 installed on Allen's Hill. This has been a struggle that began last fall. Today we are finally beginning to find out what has been obscure: the problem seems to depend on an on-going quarrel between FairPoint Communications and Verizon.

I have been in constant touch with State Officials, particularly Corey Chase of The VT Department of Public Services and Charlie Kremer of The VT Telecommunications Authority. My interpretation of what they have told me is this: Fair Point can only reach us from Bennington. But that means pulling the signal through Massachusetts, and Verizon holds the rights to Massachusetts. Verizon seems to be denying passage.

I believe that FairPoint has not been as candid with us as they might have been; their explanations have been about as transparent as asphalt. It has taken us months to find out what is really happening. Verizon certainly doesn't seem to have help matters much.

I know this has been frustrating to members looking forward to better service and non-members waiting for connections that depend on the new T1. It has been frustrating for the directors as well.

We will continue to pursue a resolution through all legal means.

In passing I might note that Fairpoint's recent marketing campaign has been somewhat misleading. If you received a pamphlet claiming that you will receive fast internet from FairPoint by 2010, read the fine print. Go to FP's web site. Only half of the towns they service will have access to their broadband. Stamford is not one of them. Look for a letter to the editor about this soon. For more information go to The VT Telecommunications page at

http://www.telecomvt.org/new-fairpoint.php

Peter

FAIR POINT STYMIES SVBC AGAIN

As you know, we have been waiting for the last three months for Fair Point Communications to show up and connect our new T1. In mid-June they promised us an date for installation of September 23. We waited. When the date arrived, they didn't show. They didn't even tell Sovernet (our immediate provider) that they had postponed the installation. All Fair Point is willing to offer us now is a new proposed date for installation.

So, if your reception is poor(as mine is) or if you have been waiting patiently and for a long time to become connected, please realize that the directors of the cooperative are doing all they can. Personally, I find Fair Point's behavior a mixture of incompetence and arrogance.

I have contacted the public services arm of the VT state government about this matter. I have received a promising reply.

I'll keep you informed.

Peter

BETH KEPLINGER KEEPS THE NEWTOWRK RUNNING

JULY 7, 2008

As I write, we are within striking distance of installing a new T1 transmitter on Allen's Hill. This is good new for members and very good news for prospective members, many of whom will now be able to join the cooperative and connect to our broadband. I promise to keep all informed about our progress.

JULY 1, 2008

Yesterday the entire SVBC network crashed. The cause was a glitch in Sovernet's system (and not in ours). It will suprise no one that C.J. was first on the scene checking out our settings and calling Sovernet before he had to leave for work.

Beth Keplinger, principal of Stamford Elementary School, who isn't even a member of our board, then took the time to contact Sovernet and learn how to make the necessary adjustments. The network was up and running by 9:00 A.M. .

June 24, 2008

By virtue of negoiating talents not seen since President James Monroe bargained for the Louisiana purchase, Bob Briggs and Chip Lovett met with the last landowner resistant to our need to run wire through his property last Sunday. They convinced him of the simple truth: that clearing brush to run our T1 line could do him no possible harm and might, in fact, benefit him. Now he will be helping us with this project by using his own machinery to clear problem areas.

As a result of this important step, SVBC will be holding a "Work-Bee" on Sunday June 29th 2008 to finish clearing brush in preparation for the stringing of the new T1 line by the telephone company. All are welcome. Time and place will appear here soon.

Once the new T1 is operative, many residents of Stamford who have not yet been able to receive our signals will be able to join the cooperative and enjoy the benefits of broadband.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Mary Evslin - Board Chairman

Vermont Telecommunications Authority

(802) 828-1788 info@telecomVT.org

Vermont Telecommunications Authority celebrates Comcast Build-out

For Release: June 23, 2008,

MONTPELIER - Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA) Board Chair
Mary Evslin joined Governor Jim Douglas to announce Comcast's
proposal to extend its network by another 300 miles in 2009 in Grand
Isle County communities.

Evslin applauded Comcast for understanding and responding to
Vermont's needs in the way they plan to expand high-speed cable
Internet, television and phone service.

"Comcast has proven today that it is and will be a big part of making
Vermont an e-state by the end of 2010," she said. "They will cover all
of the towns they have chosen to add to their network in their
entirety, and they have added one new town that has never had any
Internet access before. "

Evslin said that the Comcast plan compliments VTAs goal of providing
cell phone and high-speed Internet to everyone in the state, making
Vermont the first "e-State" in the nation. She also reaffirmed that
Vermont is on track for becoming an e-state by the end of 2010.

"Comcast is a true partner in understanding our desire for no more
Swiss cheese generating network designs," she said. "They heard our
call to build out entire areas, and to not leave us small holes in
coverage."

The VTA has spent 7 months of study and engineering to design a
"Vermont-style hybrid network" that will consist of terrestrial
networks of cable, DSL and fiber, and robust wireless networks using
cellular, WiFi and WiMax that can offer us statewide mobile phone,
and mobile data coverage.

"Working together our networks will allow us to participate in a
second internet revolution that can bring us access to the web
through small portable devices like smart phones and mini-laptops,
and mobile devices in our cars, as well as through fixed line access
in our homes and businesses. A statewide hybrid network, built on a
strong foundation of terrestrial networks like Comcast's, will
provide emergency communications everywhere," Evslin said.

Governor Douglas said that the e-state initiative is about achieving
truly universal access to affordable broadband technology and
building a telecommunications infrastructure where no one is left
behind.

Thursday, May 22, 2008. Last night the Southern Vermont Broadband Cooperative held its annual open meeting, C. J. Vadnais, the outgoing President, presiding. The directors, members, and prospective members discussed prospects for expansion. Bill Levine, Treasurer, informed us that the fiscal health of the cooperative is strong, even before we receive the check for $30,000 from the Vermont Communications Authority.

A group of prospective members from Heartwellville showed great enthusiasm--and a willingness to work--for getting signals to their homes once our third T1 transmitter is installed in the Dutch Hill Area.

CJ, Bob Briggs, and John Shaw, an venerable expert in wireless communications, discussed current hardware and ways of installing new T1 lines, as well as the somewhat perilous condition of our current antenna on the school. (Any member of the cooperative who likes to climb could do the network an enormous favor by climbing that steep roof and make some improvement on the antenna's attitude.)

Peter Grudin and other board members stressed that progress is excruciatingly difficult at the moment because of a lack of coop members who are will to help on installations and, especially because of a lack of people who know how to perform these installations. The cooperative has a list of twenty residents who want connections. We have the hardware. We have the money. But we only have one unfairly overburdened and otherwise very busy member who can do the installations. We need help from other members of the cooperative. CJ and Bob are offering to run a class in how to install receivers. All members of the cooperative will be welcome.

The following were unanimously elected or re-elected as officers of the Board of Directors. Peter Grudin will replace C.J. Vadnais, who is stepping down to concentrate on other pursuits. Bob Briggs succeeds himself as Vice President and resident technical expert. Bill Levine stays on as Treasurer, and George Beckwith succeeds himself as Secretary.

C.J. Vadnais leaves the board after a tenure that should, with time, will ripen into legend. A founder of the cooperative, he has done everything from mapping strategies to clambering over slippery roofs to program balky electronics to hammering nails. He has kept our progress on a straight course and led and overseen the only successful fully private broadband cooperative in Vermont. He has been our engine of innovation, design, and work-around, and the board is unanimous in its gratitude for what he has accomplished.

April 15, 2008 The Vermont Telecommunications Board has awarded a grant of $30,000 to Stamford's Southern Vermont Broadband Cooperative. The award will fund expansion of the cooperative's wireless internet network. The cooperative's mission is to provide fast internet connections to every resident of Stamford who desires it.

The network is now based two transmission sites, one at the Stamford School and a relay device mounted on the "Old Milk House" on East Road. Thanks to the grant this base will be greatly improved and enlarged over the coming year.

A new "T1" transmitter will be installed on Allen's Hill, a point high enough to provide a signal to now uncovered areas in the west and near north of town. The current T1 at the school will be given a higher and much sturdier mount at the Stamford Community Church. Then a third T1 will be installed high in the north-easterly part of Stamford, near Dutch Hill. This transmission site will cover most of the residences in the north and west. Residents who want the service but who cannot receive it even after these new transmitters are installed can be reached by other technologies, particularly "mesh antennas" which receive our signal and disseminate it over small areas.

This award, the third largest is the state, is part of the State of Vermont's initiative to provide all residents of the state with broadband connections. Dozens of other public and private entities applied for these grants. SVBC's grant application was written by Peter Grudin with advice and editorial help from Chip Lovett.

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