# Presentation: 403845

## SIOUX VALLEY 
WIRELESS

Rural Wireless ISP 
Showcase and Workshop

September 18, 2003
Joel Brick
www.svwireless.com

A subsidiary of Sioux Valley Energy, Colman SD

***WIRELESS***
- Rural Wireless ISP
- Showcase and Workshop
- September 18, 2003
- Joel Brick
- www.svwireless.com
- A subsidiary of Sioux Valley Energy, Colman SD

## Sioux Valley Wireless History

- Began MMDS TV in 1989.
- MMDS  Sioux Falls BTA in 1996.
- Two-way wireless FCC Developmental license for internet in 1998.
- Initial Data equipment  was limited, experimental and expensive.
- FCC two-way engineering and licensing was very challenging.
- We needed to become an ISP (Internet Service Provider).

## Sioux Valley Wireless towerslocated at Colman, Rowena & Freeman, SD

## Data Booster

## What it took to Get Started...Legal Licensing:

- Ownership of MMDS frequencies.
- Ownership of BTA Sioux Falls.
- Developmental FCC Authorization to begin Service.

## Lessons Learned...Legal Licensing:

- License was difficult, expensive and time consuming but Well worth it!
- Unlicensed compliments licensed
- New Proposed Band-Plan with rapid FCC approval will re-vitalize the MDS Industry! Will require market flexibility and cooperation. Ideal frequencies for broadband.

## What it took to Get Started...Technical:

- MMDS/ITFS Super-cell FDD 1st Gen.
- Data Co-exists with analog MMDS TV service.
- 3 Super-cells within BTA.
- Numerous unlicensed access points to fill in service area.

## Lessons Learned... Technical:

- With good terrain – 35 mile radius achieved from a single super-cell MMDS.
- Omni Xmil + Rx works well in rural areas and keeps tower costs low.
- Using MDS1, MDS2A, with omni- single super-cell can service over 1,000 subscribers. (90% residential, 10% business)
- Can re-sell T1 capacity 25 times, 1-T1 serves 100-150 subscribers, based upon user type.
- Must stay on top of system capacity!!!
- Buy routers on E-bay!
- Remote system management essential!
- Be ready for more symmetrical customer usage patterns.

## Sioux Falls BTA

## Subscriber Density

## Slide 11

## What it takes to Get Started... Marketing:

- Name recognition helps.
- Competitive prices-same in rural areas as in towns and cities.
- Availability where others don’t go.
- Variety of service plans, quality of service plans.
- Work with underserved areas.

## Lessons Learned...Marketing:

- Bundling with other services is a big deal!
- Customers expect the same price, no matter where the service is.
- Targeted marketing/direct mail most effective.
- Work with community leaders to find opportunities.
- Find opportunities/locations where the competition has not gone.
- Static IP, addl. speed for gamers, VPN, options.

## Lessons Learned... Customer Care:

- Always-on broadband more important than power, water, etc!
- Customers don’t care about the technology to deliver the service.
- Customers expect more than just a connection, tech support, virus help, e-mail set-up assistance, new PC set-up.

## What it takes to Get Started... Partnership & Capital:

- Convergence of talents: RF/IS/Marketing/Customer service
- Not an ISP? Partner with one.
- A great business plan necessary.
- Know how many subscribers will be required to break even in a reasonable amount of time.

## Lessons Learned...Partnership & Capital:

- Community partnerships work.
- Never underestimate the need for broadband to any rural area or reservation. Savvy business people who need our help and services.
- Rural business apps. can thrive in rural settings. Omni-Pro Software.
-  Learn from other WISP’s. Stay with proven vendors.

## Rates

- Residential-			$44.95/mo.
- Business I (128 K)-		$44.95/mo.
- Business III (256 K)-	$74.95/mo.
- Business II (512 K)		$139.95/mo.
- Business I (1024 mp)	$499.95/mo.

- Business and Residential Installation $200

## Network Management

## Bandwidth Management

## SVW Wish-List

- Hurricane Isabel hasn’t landed here!
- Rural Broadband program will include refinancing of existing debt for early adopters like SVW.
- Coalition Band-Plan will be Rapidly Approved by the FCC.
- FCC will continue to have an interest in finding ways to help WISP’s, both licensed and unlicensed, succeed in their business plans.

## SIOUX VALLEY 
WIRELESS

Rural Wireless ISP 
Showcase and Workshop

November 4, 2003
Joel Brick
www.svwireless.com

A subsidiary of Sioux Valley Energy, Colman SD

***WIRELESS***
- Rural Wireless ISP
- Showcase and Workshop
- November 4, 2003
- Joel Brick
- www.svwireless.com
- A subsidiary of Sioux Valley Energy, Colman SD