BY STEVE ETTIEN
Robert Spencer, in his Dec. 21 Readers’ Forum letter, is correct that the Cambria Connected Network is an advanced system that has not been extensively marketed.
Let me explain. Three years ago, the federal government issued an unfunded mandate that all 911 emergency systems can no longer use low- band radios.
Our county commissioners had to figure out how to meet this unfunded mandate, maintain superior 911 emergency services, and locally fund the project. Fortunately, Brian Feist, Cambria’s emergency services executive director, and Bob Dixon, a technical consultant, were tasked to find a solution.
After months of research and review, one proposal stood above all others. Conxx Smart Technology Solutions (http://www.conxx.net) had a proven system being used in Cumberland, Md., that provided a solution and had the added capability of rural broadband Internet access.
The commissioners visited Cumberland to review the system. Cumberland’s terrain is much like Cambria’s and seeing a system that had been operational since 1995 was enough proof for the commissioners to make a $10 million decision.
It would cost $9.1 million to maintain the same level of 911 emergency services. This cost would keep everything the same, but provide no room for growth, additional features or opportunities to pursue economic development.
The commissioners were interested in using the system to provide rural broadband Internet access to underserved areas. Therefore, they opted to add that option.
This new 911 system was the equivalent of a five-lane Internet superhighway dedicated to emergency responders’ use. By opting for rural broadband, the commissioners added a sixth lane for use by the residents and businesses of Cambria County.
This entire system is Cambria Connected, which consists of 17 core towers (two more in the spring) and predominately uses line-of-sight radios. This means the radios must have a clear view to the tower – no obstructions.
There are three types of radios: The standard radio provides 3 to 54 megabytes of bandwidth (up/down); the 900 megahertz mobile radio, which while primarily for emergency vehicles, is an option for homes surrounded by trees; and the WiFi units providing wireless Internet access at 27 hotspots throughout the county.
WiFi will grow to 50 hotspots over the next year.
Cambria Connected provides Internet access to homes, businesses, school districts and universities.
Mount Aloysius University, the county’s largest customer, has reduced its overall Internet access fees. The system is HIPAA compliant (hospital use) and E Rate certified (school use).
Several benefits of Cambria Connected are worth consideration.
First, obtaining services from Cambria Connected keeps money in the county. The Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are locally owned and operated, so in addition to creating jobs, customers receive personal service from local businesses (no calls to placers such as India).
Therefore, using Cambria Connected supports local workers, helps create jobs, and utilizes the 911 system that is monitored 24 hours a day.
The speeds for Internet access are true as advertised, and the fees for service are straightforward.
The system is features rich, comparable in price to other service providers, and is continuously being expanded, upgraded and supported.
Additionally, a portion of the monthly service fee goes to the county to help maintain Cambria Connected/911 network, which reduces monthly operational costs with the goal to eliminate the debt burden from the loan.
There are four authorized ISPs providing Cambria Connected services: Stix (http://www.ITXBB.net) specializes in residential services; SkyPacket (http://www.sky-packet.net) specializes in commercial and educational services; and Digital Razor (http://www.digitalrazor.net) and CamConn (http://www.-camconn.net) both provide services for a broad customer base.
The Web site http://www.-CambriaConnected.net is being upgraded this month and will be more user-friendly. Once approved, an advertising campaign has been planned for the spring.
Cambria Connected is the only operational rural wireless broadband Internet service in Pennsylvania. Representatives from California, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York have visited Cambria Connected and are now obtaining funds to install similar systems.
Mr. Spencer’s letter is correct. The residents of Cambria County do have an advanced Internet system that is part of the 911 emergency services network. But it will not go away in five years. Cambria Connected and 911 are one in the same and unless 911 is replaced with something new, it is here to stay.
The commissioners have met the unfunded federal mandate and their vision to provide rural broadband Internet to the citizens of Cambria County has been realized.
Steve Ettien is the president of Diamondback Consulting Inc. of Johnstown. He is serving as a consultant to the Cambria County commissioners on matters involving technology.
