Sky Catcher Communications Uses Firetide Multi-Service Mesh Networks for Rural Broadband Access

Sky Catcher Communications, a North Carolina-based systems integrator and service provider for rural markets in the Americas, is using its Firetide Inc.'s HotPort mesh networks as the wireless infrastructure for its network services.

In conjunction with a satellite-linked system, mesh networks have extended wireless access to untapped communities that have been unable to get service in the past. The mesh networks are used for voice, wireless video surveillance, and enterprise networking.

Sky Catcher's Dirt Road High Speed wireless broadband services enable rural towns, private communities, real estate developers, schools, colleges, and private enterprises to set up their own revenue generating operations that offer DSL class broadband and VoIP services. The company's SkyVoice service provides full featured voice over IP solutions with options for conference bridges, remote management, and software to enable phone extension access to or from a computer.

"Although it is fairly straightforward to bring service to a single location with a satellite link, distributing the connection to multiple buildings, streets, and homes from a single point is more of a challenge," said Don Thompson, CEO of Sky Catcher Communications. "Wiring even a few buildings is expensive and time consuming, and conventional wireless requires clear lines-of-sight which aren't always available. With a mesh network we eliminate all the wires and because it does not rely on line-of-sight for all connections, it can easily work around any obstacle. Firetide mesh networks also form and heal themselves making installation extremely fast and very reliable."

Firetide provides indoor and outdoor mesh nodes as well as indoor and outdoor access points for Wi-Fi access. "The mesh network adapts easily to virtually any environment," said Peter Gaulin, CTO of Sky Catcher. "For example, we have already installed a couple of networks in heavily wooded areas in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Carolinas and another in process for a mountainous ski resort in Colorado. Both of these terrains are quite different and each provides its own challenges for wireless networks with different slopes, tree types, and weather conditions. Fortunately, with Firetide the mesh network handles both very well."

The Sky Catcher/Firetide solutions are available in unlicensed 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz spectrums and the 4.9 GHz spectrum licensed by the FCC for public safety providers. These solutions are used primarily for permanent fixed wireless installations in rural areas.