FCC Chairman Michael Powell and Commissioner Kevin Martin Visit a Wireless Broadband Service Provider in Rural Virginia
9/8/03
On Monday, September 8, 2003, Chairman Powell and Commissioner Martin visited Roadstar Internet Services, in Bluemont, Virginia, to see first-hand wireless technologies being used to provide Internet access in rural areas. The tour was part of ongoing Commission efforts intended to facilitate the deployment of broadband services to rural America. The tour consisted of an overview of Roadstar’s operations, a tour of the network operations center, a visit to Roadstar’s wireless transmitter and repeater stations, and a visit with users of Roadstar’s technology.
Chairman Powell and Commissioner Martin met with Roadstar CEO Marty Dougherty and Roadstar employees Rose Dougherty and Ted LaRocca at the company's network operations center in Bluemont, VA.
Marty Dougherty, Chairman Powell, and Commissioner Martin visit Roadstar's transmitter site at a barn in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Loudoun County, VA.
Dr. Robert Pepper (Chief of Policy Development), Chairman Powell, Commissioner Martin, and Marty Dougherty discuss Roadstar's network inside the barn at the company's transmitter site.
Marty Dougherty discusses end-user equipment with Chairman Powell and Commissioner Martin outside the home of one of Roadstar's customers.
Commissioner Martin and Chairman Powell meet with two teenagers who use Roadstar's wireless broadband service to receive high-speed Internet access at their home school in Bluemont, VA.
For information on the FCC's upcoming Rural Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) Showcase and Workshop to be held Tuesday, November 4, 2003 starting at 9:30 AM:
For further information on FCC actions to ensure that consumers in rural areas have access to basic telecommunication services and to encourage the deployment of advanced telecommunication services to rural communities:
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