Pinnacle Rural Broadband

If you live in the Monadnock Region and do not have broadband access at your home or business, please take our short survey.

The Pinnacle Mountain Broadband Committee, formed in the spring of 2006, is supporting a number of efforts to reach a goal of providing a 95% broadband service level in our region. Here is what the Committee has been working on or following closely

• In the fall of 2006 Great Auk Wireless began providing service in the area. Great Auk has reached a limited number of homes and businesses in the past year
• In the spring of 2007 the Hannah Grimes Center helped secure state funding to pilot a private effort through WiValley in Harrisville to reach a remote region that was not line of sight to the Pinnacle Tower in Roxbury. That pilot project had a goal of reaching 20 homes, while testing for equipment that can be successful in our challenging terrain (mountains and trees) and a business model to support expansion if the pilot proved successful. That effort is a success and the business is seeking funding for Phase 2 – with near term plans to expand and serve an additional 400 customers in the region
• The Committee has also met with Fairpoint Communications to learn about their plans, if the merger is approved, for taking over Verizon’s land lines. None of us are experts in big-time mergers, so cannot comment on some of the issues raised regarding the merger itself. However, it is notable that PSNH has stepped in to support the merger. It is also notable that Fairpoint provides broadband access to 92% of its current customers in the region while Verizon provides access to only 62% of current customers. Regardless of what happens with this merger, at best we are 2-5 years away from any strategic, region-wide improvement in service and for most of us, that is 24 to 60 months too late.
• In addition to the Committee's work, ConVal Technology of Hancock has launched its wireless broadband offerings in and around the Nubanusit/RT123 area. After a successful 8-week pilot, the service is now generally available as of the fall of 2007.
• The state has also just approved a contract with a firm that will assist the state Division of Economic development in its efforts to create a strategic broadband plan to bolster the expansion of affordable broadband technology throughout the state – particularly to the underserved areas in northern and western NH. A report is due in the summer of 2008.While a strategic plan provides hope that a comprehensive solution is in our future, we will continue to support and follow promising local efforts that offer more immediate results and will likely provide viable options to those working on a comprehensive solution. You can reach the Committee by emailing: pinnacle@hannahgrimes.com

The Pinnacle Mountain Broadband Committee: Barbara Neylan – Chair, Joshua Boulanger, Silent Song Networks,Tom Buttrick,Brian Foucher – WiValley, Joe Jacobs, Chris Kaufer – Selectman, Town of Roxbury, Mary Ann Kristiansen – The Hannah Grimes Center, Gary Oden, NH Small Business Development Center, Frank Richards, Mack Hill Farm, Bob Switzer, Sullivan Planning Board, Jim Wilder, SP Communications