5.4. ERMUSR 08-22-2006~/
Elk River
Municipal Utilities ~
13069 Orono Parkway ~~ phone: 763.441.2020
Elk River, Iv1N 55330 Fax: 763.441.8099
August 9, 2006
To: Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission
Jerry Takle
Jim Tralle
John Dietz
From: Bryan Adams
Subject: Community Wide Internet System
The last couple of Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) commission meetings we have
been discussing community wide broadband Internet service for Elk River. Because
Northstar Access is a reputable local provider of voice, video & data service, they were
the logical people to contact. ERMU staff suggests the following 3 options to Northstar
Access in providing broadband data services.
1) Northstar Access could expand their existing fiber to the home system or
expanding into the wireless technology in Elk River where the population
density is low, snaking fiber to the home technology to expensive.
2) Northstar Access &ERMU could partner utilizing wireless broadband
technology in Elk River where the population density is low, making fiber to
the home technology to expensive.
3) ERMU would provide wireless broadband data technology to Elk River
At first Northstar Access was not excited about expanding into wireless broadband
technology, particularly when only unlicensed frequency spectrums were available.
Northstar Access again reconsidered their position knowing that ERMU would pursue
wireless technology, and decided to do a pilot study. This pilot study will involve 45
customers in the Co Rd 33 area using unlicensed wireless broadband without any
financial support from ERMU. This pilot study should be operational in a couple of
months.
I took the liberty of requesting they include Jim Tralle in this pilot study. I will keep
involved in this pilot study to ensure forward progress.