Recently I was invited to participate in Microsoft’s Windows Home Server (WHS) Beta program. WHS is is built on Windows Server 2003 SP2 and comes with new tools to make it easy to manage services such as file and printer sharing, network computer backups and remote access. Although I’ve used a Linux-based solution in the past to meet these needs, I can see the value of Windows Home Server for many families especially those with a teleworker. More later …
According to Scot Petersen of eWeek, with eWEEK’s offices in the process of moving down the block and the new space not quite ready, many of us here have been working from our home offices. In fact, this entire issue of eWeek was written, edited, designed and shipped to the printer in a virtual environment.
I recently had an opportunity to ask Susan Church, Blue Sky EGC’s General Manager a number of questions about the Skywire project as it relates to the Township of Bonfield. I want to thank Susan for her response. As the former project manager of the NipNet project (xDSL deployment) I can well appreciate the challeges of meeting hugh expectations while dealing with the realities of funding and technology limitations.
Q. Which access technology is Blue Sky Net based on and what are its performance characteristics / limitations?
A. Wireless point to multi-point synchronous operating in half duplex mode. 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.7 GHz depending on customer situation. Upload/download speeds of between 1.0 Mbps and 3.0 Mbps depending on signal strength. Most residential service is 900 MHz. The 900 MHz is near line of sight. It has some capability to wrap over hills and penetrate foliage. The closer to a tower site the more this capability exists. Signal strength is very good within 8-9 KM of a tower site, after that it’s a function of topology. Regardless of distance if you live behind a rock ridge, or hill, or down by a lake, you’ll need a mast or mini-tower to get signal.
Q. What access is currently available in the Township of Bonfield and is any additional access planned?
A. Current tower sites that would cover Bonfield are Calvin Landfill, Lake Talon, Astorville, Big Moose. Need to talk to Jason about expansion if any.
Q. What advice does Blue Sky Net have for businesses who up until this point have been unsuccessful in obtaining wireless Internet access?
A. Based on what Spectrums plans are, the alternative is Sira. Blue Sky is currently delivering this program and businesses may apply by contacting us. We have only just now been approved as of yesterday, to deliver the program.
Q. Are there any plans to upgrade the access technology used by project SkyWire (i.e. Wi-Fi to Wi-Max)?
A. Not in the immediate future. Wifi is deployed in some areas where the population density makes it effective and will be part of the expansion plans if the population density makes Wifi economical. While the network may eventually evolve to Wi-Max over time, at this point and for the foreseeable future Wi-max technology is too expensive to deploy based on the regions population densities.
Q. What if any public / private follow-on projects are you aware of that may expand the Internet access footprint in the Township of Bonfield?
A. If you are referring to fresh broadband builds – none. We have a number of application development initiatives underway, and expect to engage in more. These may drive further deployment of Broadband.
Q. Are there any plans for Blue Sky Net to work with or encourage deployment of the Bell Canada / Rogers funded Inukshuk Wireless project?
A. We maintain regular communications with Bell and Rogers. Our understanding is they do not have plans to extend Inukshuk beyond deployments in the Muskoka’s and Sudbury.
According to a story on cbc.ca, seventy per cent of an estimated 18.5 million Canadian mobile phone users can switch service providers with Wednesday’s arrival of wireless number portability — but is it a significant arrival, and what are the obstacles and costs?