HELCO/NextEra vs the broadband problem

[kalakoa]

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...a-measures

I have an oversimplified solution: as a condition of the merger, require NextEra to build out a fiber backbone along their existing transmission right-of-way.

[leilanidude]

A fiber backbone would only help if Oceanic and Hawaiian Tel would bother to connect to it...

[kalakoa]

1. This should be "dark fiber" leased to providers, not necessarily NextEra as ISP.

2. If you have a physical backbone, you can bypass the incumbents, or purchase their services for resale.

Of course, the underlying assumption is that the Big Island should get with the 20th century, rather than remain an 18th century plantation.

[ericlp]

They can't even get the majority of Puna hooked up via copper, I think they should focus on that before rolling out a fiber backbone. While true, the backbone will push data down the pipe faster, allowing for extra speed when more people connect up via copper wire. I doubt the density of puna would ever saturate what they have in place now for a long time. Before this happens I think google fiber would roll out in Hilo/Kona side.

Best bet would be to roll out a line of sight wireless communication system like clearwire or something very similar use of WiMax. To me money spent on providing for the masses would be the way to go. Microwave towers and wireless mesh network for each subdivision. Clearwire uses a multi-layered ring topology that is both redundant and scalable to accommodate increases in capacity demand. Clearwire links its microwave aggregation points with dark fiber transport that is also connected by redundant pathways.


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[kalakoa]

They can't even get the majority of Puna hooked up via copper

It's not a "can't", it's a "won't".

Telcom and Oceanic have exclusive franchises to provide service, including NOT providing service if it's somehow inconvenient for whatever reason.

wireless communication system like clearwire

An open-access fiber backbone would facilitate exactly this. Wireless providers could compete for that last few miles, and there would be several to choose from because the individual nodes would require less infrastructure.

[Frankie Stapleton]

IT and tech access is considered by many, especially home businesses and the education community, to be a need particularly in rural communities with limited transportation, to be a 21st Century necessity. Those of you who agree are urged to write down your comments today and submit your words as testimony for a bill to be heard at the State House on Monday. The legislature needs testimony NO LATER THAN 24 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.

With the planned takeover of Oceanic Time Warner by ComCast is the ideal time to push this issue and make our state IT accountable! If we don't show support for Rep. Joy SB bill regarding tech access for Puna and other rural parts of the state, we'll go on being ignored! Please send testimony...the recent natural threats affecting our daily lives provided ample examples of why we need this so much.

From Joy: Testimonies for my resolution for a broadband/cell service study for rural communities are needed ASAP. Hearing is scheduled for monday and testimony is needed now, no later than sunday.

http://capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv....lltype=HCR&billnumber=131&year=2015

[Malapuaao]

Speaking of mesh networking, I saw a device shipping soon:

https://www.beartooth.com

This could work well here if it actually went 10 miles between nodes like it advertises.


aloha

[terracore]

Interesting concept, but their "up to 10 miles away" claim reminds me of any GMRS radio offered for sale with ranges listed as between 15, 30, some even 60! miles, but in reality they are all limited by wattage by FCC and only work effectively over 1-2 miles even under line-of-sight conditions regardless of brand or extraordinary claims.

[randomq]

The FCC needs to open up about 40MHz in the VHF range for medium distance content based mesh networking. It goes through trees much easier, and people could use tv style antennas to suit their situation.

Isn't it funny, wifi is such a huge success, but more and better frequencies aren't being adopted to similar uses? Meanwhile CB, MURS, and even FRS are barely used, and outdated. And spectrum is still sold to individual companies, also an antiquated concept. But, that's where the money is, and that's all anyone cares about.

[kalakoa]

FCC needs to open up about 40MHz in the VHF range

There used to be an unlicensed band around 435MHz. The 902-928MHz band is still available, less optimal but still sub-GHz, and Ubiquiti makes radios for it.

spectrum is still sold to individual companies

The "public" spectrum which is "for the benefit of all", except that you can only make use of it by "renting" from Verizon/ATT/Sprint/Tmobile/etc. Sigh.