Mission
Statement
North
Branch Networks (NBN) was formed in 2004 by the principals of North
Branch Consulting Group, LLC, and Grip Contracting to provide high
speed Internet access to unserved and underserved Vermont communities.
The principals and advisers have extensive experience in project
management, construction and alternative energy, computer network
administration, wireless implementation, and policy. The principals
of NBN are certified in several key wireless technologies, including
Alvarion, Trango and Orthogon, and have proficiency in wireless
propagation mapping skills.
NBN has designed and shepherded the development of the Ripton Broadband
Cooperative network and arranged financing for its implementation
through several public agencies including the Vermont Broadband
Council, the Vermont Economic Development Authority, and the Addison
County Economic Development Corporation. It has worked closely with
the Department of Economic Development’s broadband initiatives,
and participated in the last two “WISP Summits” in Montpelier.
This participation has helped NBN find key partners for technology
sharing and bandwidth backhaul alternatives.
The North Branch business plan calls for a rollout of wireless access
to most of Addison County and beyond in 2006. This has been made
possible by the securing of colocation approval on the telecommunications
tower facility on Chipman Hill in Middlebury as well as another
private tower in West Cornwall. Network design is nearing completion
using Trango Wireless gear. NBN selected Los Angeles-based Trango
for much of its wireless implementation after extensive evaluation
of the leading wireless technology providers for functionality,
reliability, and cost-effectiveness. This choice continues to be
rewarded as Trango releases new products wisely targeted to the
technological and business needs of Wireless Internet Service Providers
(WISPs). In particular, current product development expands equipment
bandwidth capacity dramatically, and as a WiMax Forum member, Trango
keeps an eye on forward compatability with the WiMax standard.
NBN is continuously exploring options for new colocation possibilities
for expansion of service, and aggressively pursuing technological
advances and expansion of service offerings via Wireless.
North Branch is supported by an Advisory Board of key stakeholders
from the community.
NBN
MISSION STATEMENT
North Branch Networks, LLC was formed to help rural Vermonters fully
engage in the wider world of information, commerce, technology and
education with minimal impact on the beauty and environmental integrity
of Vermont. It proposes to do this by finding creative, affordable,
and low impact solutions to provide high speed Internet access to
Vermont residents, businesses, and schools. At the same time, NBN
endeavors to make its network second to none in terms of quality
and reliablilty supported by sound business practice.
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