Jerry Johnson of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority made a presentation at the Dairy Status Meeting on January 16th. Read on for why farmers may be interested in this.
The Vermont Telecommunications Authority (VTA or VT Telecom) was created by the Legislature in 2007. Its goal is: "To insure that every corner of the State has access to the Internet at high speed, mobile data and the cellular phone network by the end of 2010."
With current technology, high-speed Internet access can be obtained through the cellular phone network. The VTA has proposed bringing 100% cellular phone coverage to Vermont via the construction of 200 hybrid towers that combine an antenna for the cellular phone network with a small wind turbine.
Farmers may own sites that would be desirable for some of these 200 towers. Benefits might include a small payment to the farmer as well as excellent cellular phone coverage with high-speed Internet access. The VTA believes that towers can be built at no cost to the landowner.
Recent press articles about this initiative:
A novel plan for cell service, Rutland Herald 1/14/09
Hybrid towers on telecom horizon, Burlington Free Press 1/17/09
For more information, see the VTA web site.
UPDATE: Click here (3 MB PDF file) for a map from the VTA web site showing areas of the state lacking broadband coverage. Thanks to Dr. DeWitt for the link.
