v RURAL INTERNET OUTLOOK 2021

The Lone Star State has long been home for innovation and a way of life that speaks its own language. Tradition and pride run deep and wide across rural Texas lands, however like many other areas across our great nation, the lack of modern internet access has become an increasingly critical topic. So much so that decisions to purchase property have started hinging on access that meets today’s consumer demands.

979-721-9000 wirestar.net

Urban developments and economic growth continue to take shape at record paces in and around metropolitan areas. Yet most rural landowners are still waiting for communications infrastructures to be developed rivaling that of City Slickers. This challenge is unique in its own way to a Texas ranch owner, as the very livelihood of future growth and success is becoming increasingly dependent on access to high quality internet.

While Federal and State subsidies have begun to spur improvements to rural architecture across America, real world progress for many remains likely years away. A majority of Ranch owners in 2021 are still relying on weather prone satellite internet options which have characteristics like bandwidth caps and high latency - preventing support for critical work from home protocols such as VoIP , Video Conferencing and VPN. This is in addition to fluctuations in network quality and speed due to the shared nature of which the services are consumed by customers across the entire US.

Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder & Carnegie Mellon University reported an average property value increase of 3.1 percent for properties with high speed broadband service This data has been backed by Fiber to the Home Council Americas. WireStar has the experience and business relationships with key telecommunications companies to identify and build out last mile access to fiber facilities anywhere in America. Our solutions are capable of delivering symmetrical upload and download speeds up to and over 1GBPS that allow rural land owners to overcome connectivity gaps throughout Texas.

Kyle Leissner - PresidentKyle Leissner - President

TURNKEY INTERNET SOLUTIONS

WAN (Wide Area Network) Procurement Fiber Optic Engineering, Pla Fiber Optic Engineering, Planning & Constructionnning & Construction RF Engineering, Planning & Construction Structured Cabling Design & Insta Structured Cabling Design & Installationllation Property Wide WiFi Distribution Property Wide WiFi Distribution Security Monitoring & Gate Control Systems Security Monitoring & Gate Control Systems

Led by President & CEO Kyle Leissner since the company’s founding in 2007, WireStar Networks has developed a rich history of improving communications for clients in rural and urban settings alike. Mr Leissner holds two Bachelor of Business

Administration degrees in Marketing & Supply Chain

Management from Mays Business School at Texas A&M

University. In 2011 he obtained a Master of Science Degree in Management Information Systems (MIS). Leissner continues to be an avid student of technology and technological innovation, particularly pertaining to Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems, Customer Relations Management (CRM) Systems, VoIP protocols and optical networking. A culture of high quality customer care and retention is encouraged throughout WireStar

Networks. WireStar was recently named an Aggie Top 100 company for the first time for fiscal year 2019.

254-675-3515 www.rountreetowers.com

Those fortunate enough to WireStar is to actively seek out have upgraded to LTE and access middle mile internet networks have traded latency infrastructure to create new performance for other variables transmission links that move that come with cellular data where it is needed. This connections. The major mobile approach allowed Camp Allen network operators in America in Navasota, TX to overcome never fully intended for their it’s obstacles without building LTE cell towers to serve as a fiber directly to the facility, but full time home based solution. with speeds and reliability that This has not stopped them from are comparable. (see case study offering options that can be used on next page) While in some in such a manor. However, a cases direct fiber burial to a site major draw back of any LTE is possible, more economical and plan continues to be that the quicker results can often be connections are no less prone to obtained by utilizing the amount of people connected advancements in Point to Point or restrictive and unfair aerial technology. Depending throttling and usage limitation on a number of factors unique practices used to prevent to each application, aerial links network overload. While it can be licensed or unlicensed, may be difficult to fathom why determining whether FCC this practice would be so involvement is needed. For common, the basic principle is shorter last mile links, aerial that fixed users detract from the technology has advanced enough availability of mobile users to to send links with speeds up to make and receive calls, text and 10,000 MBPS. Recent rule use data features. The making by the FCC under the evolution of 5G technology to watch of former Chairman Ajit Pai also created access to new spectrum, widening the toolbox replace 4G LTE has begun to alleviate some network for internet service providers to bandwidth issues, however rollout of 5G still is likely to be achieve high throughput concentrated to densely connections where previously populated areas. Additionally – only cost heavy options existed. 5G signals and protocols For many clients who have operate much different than overcome the broadband gap, their 4G counter parts and in getting results was a matter of some cases do not travel as far perspective -the perspective of from the cell tower. An where to situate the proper effective alternative proposed by antennas and where to aim them to achieve the desired result. To help take the guess work out of this, WireStar relies on a relationship with Clifton, TX based Rountree Towers. Rountree is a family owned tower building company putting quality and assurance amongst its top priorities when working with client and ISPs across Texas.

Owner Mike Rountree’ s forward thinking and initiative helped to give birth to a business relationship with WireStar when he offered his modern techniques and tools to help aid in the process of supplying turn key solutions for land owners where vertical assets were needed to achieve comm links. While WireStar utilizes cutting edge LIDAR mapping technology to visualize real topography link paths in 3d (pictured below) Rountree adds to this planning by providing an onsite visual confirmation of height and location needed for success. Rountree offers no costs site surveys and offers a guarantee of serviceability. Tower options start around $1500.

CAMP ALLEN OVERCOMES RURAL BROADBAND GAP WITH CUSTOM BULK TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS FROM WIRESTAR NETWORKS

Camp Allen is a 1000-acre retreat and conference center for the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, located northwest of Houston in a rural setting of Grimes County. The facility’s outdated connectivity, network problems, and subpar sound system impaired its ability to provide adequate service.

A COMBINATION OF ANCIENT GEAR AND NETWORK SWITCHES ULTIMATELY INHIBITED IT FROM RETAINING GUESTS.

The facility originally called WireStar to troubleshoot a small satellite TV issue. To meet additional needs, WireStar provided a custom technology solution enabling Camp Allen to globally attract guests year-round.

THE CHALLENGE: HIGH SPEEDS FOR LARGE VOLUMES OF GUESTS IN A RURAL SETTING

Camp Allen needed upgrades to:

Painfully slow 6Mbps bonded T1 speeds that made presentations sometimes impossible.

Outdated configured network switches that couldn’t support Camp Allen’s growth.

Inadequate Wi-Fi connectivity for guests across the entire facility.

A poorly wired sound system that disabled many guests from participating in and hearing presentations. “We had guests struggling to conduct their presentations because our internet was so slow. They had to download everything to their laptop, and there was no way to stream to people outside the facility.

That's where WireStar came in.

– Allen Kight, Facilities Director, Camp Allen

WireStar promptly dispatched a technician to Camp Allen, who quickly identified the site needed more than just TV repair. WireStar invested more time with Camp Allen to understand its greater needs. Finding the facility was in dire need of a rural broadband upgrade, WireStar dedicated its efforts toward a more economical solution in contrast to the $1 million proposals other carriers provided. Unsatisfied with that price tag, WireStar researched:

Potential options for high-speed internet. Locating the nearest fiber to the facility.

Licensing needed for wireless backhaul. Capital required to lease tower space for equipment.

After determining the best course of action for Camp Allen, WireStar

Engineered a robust 11Ghz high-speed, low latency wireless backhaul link sourced from fiber.

Implemented carrier-grade switches and long-duration battery banks to ensure reliability and uptime during inclement weather.

Managed the construction of half a mile of fiber on Camp Allen’s property.

Generated a new revenue stream for the facility by implementing a billing system where guests can log in to Wi-Fi and upgrade their speed automatically. Coordinated FCC licensing for the facility’s wireless backhaul solution – ensuring an interference-free spectrum.

Secured and constructed colocation of equipment on two towers (180ft and 210ft) with WireStar’s certified climbers.

Enhanced the conference center with audio visual equipment, including updated sound system components and smart automation.

THE RESULTS: BETTER BUSINESS RETENTION AND GUEST EXPERIENCE

Camp Allen can now stream 500Mbps to remote locations for its 500+ guests and enjoy advanced presentation/conferencing capabilities – making it a prime venue for the Diocese.

The facility is able to better attract and retain business from around the world – all year long.

“When Camp Allen only had 6 Mbps to share between our Conference Center guests and our employee work stations, hosting a high-tech conference using the internet was virtually impossible for us to manage. We recently hosted an event that streamed live coverage to over 300 remote members. WireStar was actually on site to make sure streaming was seamless. Two years ago, that would not have been possible.”

WireStar is the industry expert in custom technology solutions for rural organizations. If you are looking to upgrade your facility or business and are only finding cost-prohibitive solutions, contact WireStar today.