Other Accomplishments
TRACKED VEHICLE:
In 2005 the Broadband department secured a tracked vehicle through a Homeland Defense grant through the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.
This tracked vehicle is an essential asset to the Broadband department because it allows the ability to safely traverse personnel and
equipment to our tower locations during all weather conditions.
Additionally, this vehicle serves as a “Homeland Defense Emergency Communications Tracked Vehicle” during
times of disaster when communications need to be maintained or established in
rugged hard to reach areas. With this vehicle, we can carry all necessary
equipment and personnel to most mountain top locations and quickly deploy
wireless emergency phone and data networks into critical areas as necessary to
support the communication needs of emergency responders.
A recent example of the important
use of this vehicle is when the Broadband department was requested to provide
tribal telephone and data communications to the Worley Long House for ECLC
use. This tracked vehicle was utilized to transport the necessary phone &
data equipment to the snow covered Worley T574 microwave tower site. This
permitted connectivity of Long House to the Plummer IT phone and data network
over the Broadband microwave tower network.
Primary Goals for remainder of FY 2006 & FY2007
Fiber optic cable from Plummer-Butte to the NOC:
Installing a fiber optic cable from Plummer-Butte to the
NOC. This fiber optic cable will be utilized to transport 1 Gig/second
communications between the NOC and the Plummer-Butte microwave tower.
Install additional access-point base station antennas for
clients to connect to:
Mica-Washington is planned to be installed with a base station 802.11g radio.
|
Mica-Washington microwave tower (left larger tower) |
A Mica-Washington located base-station radio, will allow the broadband department to reach five to ten
miles into the North East cornet of the Coeur d’Alene Tribal reservation.
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Mica-Washington
coverage (distance may be greater when installed) |
DeSmet; The Sister’s
Building or nearby water tanks are planned to soon be equipped with a base
station radio to service local clients. Erecting the 40-foot mast is hoped to
be complete is a few weeks.
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DeSmet broadband coverage area |
Closing Statement:
The Broadband Department has generated large amounts of
interest and support from all surrounding communities. With Internet Broadband
services, we can attract more businesses to the area, improve education, offer
access to information and easily communicate information through-out the
World-Wide-Web.
The Internet is as important today as telephones, TV, radio
and news papers were 20 years ago. There is more information on the Internet
than has ever been printed on paper. While helping our residents access and
develop an understanding of the Internet, we are planting the future economic
seeds of growth in our community.
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