A Different World, a Different Solution for Bridging the Digital Divide

By Brian Marion (ClearWorld) and Jeff Beekhoo (Broadband Telecom)

Today, more families across the country are having to participate in work and school from home, but there is a major problem. According to researchers at BroadbandNow.com, only 70% of Americans have access to low-priced wired broadband plans. Their data suggests that low-priced broadband plans are defined as $60 or less a month offering internet speeds at 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload. That is markedly an improvement from 2019, but only 30% have access to low priced plans at speeds of 100 Mbps download and 25 Mbps upload, which BroadbandNow recommends as the new standard in today’s world. 

ClearWorld, along with Broadband Telecom, have piloted several successful projects to bring broadband services to remote areas in Virginia. ClearWorld provides a solar-wrapped smart pole that can support a wireless hotspot and an optional light head. This pole provides an off-grid, solar-powered energy source for the broadband equipment and incurs no cost for electricity. These ClearWorld poles do not require any underground infrastructure, saving time on installation, which means quicker deployment and reduced costs for the overall project. Additionally, the equipment is located behind the solar wrap providing a nice clean look.

Broadband Telecom does an assessment of the existing wireless environment and provides solutions to meet the connectivity goals of the project. No two projects are the same, as different locations have unique circumstances. One solution is to use an existing Wi-Fi signal from the town or city and then boost it to provide an expanded coverage area for citizens to access. Other options include equipment that provides a backhaul for the access point without needing fiber. This allows for projects to be efficiently planned and immediately deployed.

Jeff Beekhoo of Broadband Telecom explains that through his partnership with ClearWorld, he “was able to develop a solution that fits into C.A.R.E.S. funding opportunities for helping students and residents in unserved areas to gain suitable access to broadband services.”

These poles serve an area of 720 feet, which is equivalent to the length of two football fields. After ClearWorld engineered and properly sized the solar array to accommodate the required power draw, Broadband Telecom was able to deploy the solution into several localities in Virginia. The localities identified libraries, community centers, churches, and parking lots where residents could drive up and utilize high-speed broadband services free-of-charge. On average, these hotspots can provide download speeds of over 100 Mbps, meeting BroadbandNow’s suggested minimum. Through a cloud network manager, Broadband Telecom can provide security, manage bandwidth, and monitor usage remotely in real-time.

Pilot Locations Deployed:

Lancaster County - 8 Smart Poles

Mathews County - 8 Smart Poles

Virginia Beach - 2 Smart Poles

Norfolk - 1 Smart Poles

Partners:

ClearWorld provides intelligent Solar LED smart poles that provide a full suite of smart IoT applications to make cities smarter and safer. The solar smart poles provide a sustainable, resilient and a redundant power source. These innovative technologies are deployed in over 100 US cities and include built-in IoT capabilities for a clean, aesthetically pleasing look that today’s cities are seeking.

Broadband Telecom Services is a technology company that develops unique IoT technology-based connectivity solutions for governments and business. They identify the needs of clients to develop, design, and implement effective solutions to achieve desired outcomes.

C.A.R.E.S. Act

The pandemic has created a need for broadband connectivity. C.A.R.E.S. (Coronavirus Aid Relief Economic Security) is a government-funded program designed to provide relief to American citizens. Part of the funding is allocated toward greater access to internet connectivity. This Smart Pole solution was uniquely developed and deployed at the request of government clients.