Kootenay Wireless Internet
Wireless Internet for the Creston Valley
Kootenay Wireless, in partnership with Uniserve, has been working hard through 2006 to make High-Speed Internet a reality in the Creston Valley outside of the town of Creston.
About Our Wireless Network
Kootenay Wireless has, to date, built a wireless network infrastructure that currently provides service to Riverview, Canyon, Lister, the Flats, West Creston and Wynndel. Our aim is to continue extending coverage in these areas so that high-speed Internet is available to as many people as possible from the US border to Wynndel. We also plan to provide wireless Internet for the East Shore of Kootenay Lake and Boswell as soon as possible. If we can overcome the heavy forest challenges of getting a signal to folks in the Arrow Creek and Kitchener areas, then we'll serve those areas too.
Q. How is our high-speed Internet delivered?
A. Each user is connected to our high-speed network infrastructure with an antenna and data radio. In cases where two or more neighbours live in close proximity to each other, it can be even more economical for each by sharing one antenna installation. Call for more information on sharing an installation.
Q. How fast is it?
A. Our wireless network is similar to Internet obtained from the cable TV company. Cable Internet is very fast (typically around 4-8 Megabits/ sec.), even though it is travelling on a common cable which is shared with other users. All wireless networks have similar behavour, but they are still very fast, especially compared to a dial-up account!
Q. Where is your tower?
A. We don't use towers. The topography of the Creston Valley would require quite a few towers in order to provide adequate coverage for most residents outside of the town of Creston. That would be very expensive and would look unsightly, ruining the aesthetics of the natural landscape. Our approach is to copy the way the Internet itself is built ... a web of nodes over which the data travels to its destination. Over time, the number of nodes (users) is increasing, making it possible that data may eventually have multiple pathways to reach its destination. That improves reliability and speed for everyone in the long run.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. The cost of an installation consists of a flat $200 installation/setup fee plus the cost of the equipment. Typically, the equipment cost (for the antenna, radio, cables, etc.) is in the neighbourhood of $300 - $350, resulting in a total installed cost less than $600. There is some variation because of differences in hardware needs from one location to another. After installation, you will be billed $50/month for the Internet account and bandwidth usage.
About Kootenay Wireless
Robert Lawson, the principal of Kootenay Wireless, has a lifelong professional involvement with electronics -- servicing, product design, and manufacturing ... plus computer programming; embedded, server, desktop, notebook, etc.
For more information or a no-obligation site evaluation, call Robert at 402-1166.
