Welcome to the Broadlands Forums!

I'd like to welcome everyone to the brand new Broadlands Forums. Although it's just starting out, these forums will grow with new subject areas.

The Community Broadband forum is made for all members. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about bringing broadband to the Broadlands feel free to post them here.

Now that we have that out of the way, I'll introduce myself. My name is John Horner. I'm on the Broadlands Web Committee and am helping with leading the effort to bring high speed internet access to our community. I'll try and answer a few of the most common questions that I think will come up:

-When will wireless be available?
--Honestly if we knew we would tell everyone, but right now we're still working out many issues with the local service providers. We're hoping beta testing will begin in March.

-Can I be a beta tester? Or host an access point on my house?
--We hope so! Once we get near to beta testing or selecting locations for access points, we will definately be looking for volunteers. But for now -- please don't email us asking to be a beta tester. don't worry, it will be posted. And no, being a beta tester does not mean you get free access.

-So whats taking so long?
--It's a little more confusing (ok a lot more) than one would think. Surveys have to be done, contracts written, etc etc.

-What ISP have we selected? What equipment will we use? What will their backbone be?
--Right now we really can't answer these questions, as were still working out a lot of different details. Once we have more solid information, we will share it here.

-Can I join the Web Committee and help out?
--Sure can! We meet every second tuesday of the month at the communnity center (next meeting as of this posting is on Tuesday, Feb 12 at 7:00pm.) But be warned, we have an aweful lot of work to do! (hint hint new volunteer)

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Got Broadband?

 

I am very interested in helping out in any way possible.

Is the ISP also going to offer a business class service in addition to residential? ie SLA's with guaranteed bandwith, multiple static IP's, etc, or will this be a strictly residential service?

See you at the next meeting.

 

We will definatley have some kind of guaranteed bandwith, that is a certain. As for multiple static ips... I'm not sure about that. Right now we're shooting for being able to buy one for a couple bucks a month. We'll let you know more as we know more on that.

As for business vs residential. The service is strictly residential - to an extent. No re-selling the bandwidth, selling things from home or running illegal warez/mp3 type servers or things like that. What you can do is work from home over vpn, run a home web server and share your connection with as many computers in your house as you want.

John

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Got Broadband?

 

I just want to take a few moments to say thank you so much for the effort you are heading in bringing Broadband to Broadlands. It is a shame that we live in an area recognized as a Tech Corridor and we still have to rely on dial up modems. Thanks again for the steps you have undertaken. If there is any way I can help I will do so.

Be it testing, or emails please let me know.

Thanks again.

 

Well your welcome, we're wanting access just as much as everyone in the Broadlands does. And like everyone, we wish the process could o faster also!

John

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Got Broadband?

 

I'd like to be part of the testing team. How do I get involved?
For testing platforms I can offer:
* Mac OS 9
* Mac OS X
* Windows NT SP 4
* Windows 98
* Windows 2000

--- John

 

Our next meeting is this next Tuesday at the community center. March 12, 7:00pm. Please show up!

John

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Got Broadband?