Municipal Communication Networks

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Municipal Communication Networks
October 26, 2005
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Rochester Public Utilities
Broadband over Powerline Development
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Rochester Public Utilities (RPU)

• Rochester, MN
• 45,000 electric customers
• Metropolitan service area
• Limited competition in broadband servers

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RPU Objectives

• Two-way communications into residence
• Commercial AMR
• Future services requiring two-way communication
• Broadband at affordable rates

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Partnership and Scope

• HBC approached RPU
• 50/50 split
• Ten customer test area
• Residential (Overhead and Underground)
• Commercial

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Issues

• City charter
• Press releases
• Very positive public support
• Phone calls and emails
• Utility board and city council

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Vendor Selection Phase

• BPL consultant used
• RFP
• Requirements
• Powerline to the home outlet
• Equipment used in commercial setting
• FCC Part 15 Compliant
• No interference with amateur radio
• Vendor support

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Testing

• BPL Generation 1 Equipment
• August, September October 2004
• Internet speed and reliability
• Telephone Clarity and Reliability
• Ease of Installation
• RF Interference (Rochester Amateur Radio Club)
• This stuff works

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BPL Today

• BPL system is very reliable
• Internet telephone service works well
• RF interference levels beat FCC standards
• Vendor options are increasing
• Bandwidth and speed are increasing

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Hiawatha Broadband Communications
Broadband over Powerline
Development
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Communications Environment

• High prices
• Poor customer service
• Data options dont meet needs
• Lack of video content/options
• Complaints about quality of services

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What To Provide

• Services
• Data (Internet)
• Voice (Telephone)
• Video (TV)
• Utility Monitoring
• Security
• Technical Support
• Help Desk
• Billing
• One bill to customer

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Infrastructure Poses Challenges to Expansion

• Costly to Construct
• Time-Consuming to Construct
• Disruptive to Prospective Customers
• Alternative Pathways Must be Explored

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What Is Available

• Fiber
• Poles, towers, buildings
• Electrical lines

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Using What Is Available

• Fiber
• What is in place
• What can be added
• Fiber can do it all
• Data
• Voice
• Video

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Using What Is Available

• Poles, towers and buildings
• Wireless network
• Can be used in conjunction with fiber
• Wireless can be effective
• Data
• Voice

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Using What Is Available

• Electrical Lines
• Broadband over power lines
• Can be used in conjunction with fiber
• Emerging communications solution
• Data
• Voice
• HBC and RPU trial implementation

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BPL Services Today

• Internet Speed to Home or Business
• 3 mb to 5 mb
• Telephone
• Local and long distance
• Voice over IP works very well
• Video
• Solutions are emerging

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Partnering

• Different business and support
• Flexible
• Deliver Multiple Services
• Voice, Data, Video
• History in Wholesale and Partnering
• Telephone Services
• Video Content
• Internet Connection
• Network Management
• Network Operations

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Municipal Communication Networks
October 26, 2005