Gold Hill has a potential opportunity to establish a community WiFi system using funding the county has available for bridging the digital divide under the CARES act. The need for improved communications systems emerged as a high priority in resident responses to surveys undertaken as part of the recent resilient-renewable energy study. This represents a first potential opportunity flowing from that study.

Details of the opportunity are being worked out but the basic idea is to establish broadband access across the old town and potentially wider areas (the Subdivision, the Ranch and Ashram areas, etc.,) using line of sight antennas and potentially also a mesh network. The technical details aside, a capped open network would allow cell service and some level of internet access in many areas. It’s also possible that high bandwidth services could be made available to individual households. The first year of operation would probably be covered under the CARES act funding — so for the moment it would cost the community nothing.

The key advantages of the concept are:

The system would be highly resilient. Key parts would be powered by solar with battery backup. In addition, because it depends on antennas rather than the fiberoptic cable owned by Century Link, it would continue functioning even if that system lost power, was cut by a flood or otherwise went down.
It would enable WifI calling and internet access across outside areas around town in addition to within individual residences. This would improve day to day communications as well as help to ensure cell and internet functionality across town during emergencies. This seems particularly important now to reduce isolation during the pandemic.
Since the first year of operation should be covered by the CARES grant, residents would have a year to decide whether or not the community should take over the system and use it indefinitely. In other regions where similar systems have been established, individuals subscribing to the system for their primary internet service pay less than $50/month (less than Century Link currently charges). Open elements of the system would not be expensive and could be covered through fundraising activities.

The concept is evolving and it’s uncertain how much the county may or may not be able to support. If you’d like to find out more or have concerns, please feel free to contact marcus.moench@nullgmail.com