North Sault Broadband Implementation Report 10 Jun 11

The limited feedback I received to date concerning the implementation of the Canopy fixed wireless broadband in the North Sault area is very positive. Users appear happy to be getting the service and are satisfied with the quantitative improvements over dial-up or satellite service.

One report indicates a download speed of 3.75 Mbps and an upload speed of .92 Mbps. While this may not seem like much to urban dwellers in places like Ottawa where Rogers announced they will introduce wireless (cellular) LTE service via a data stick in the 300 Mbps/70 Mbps range later this summer, it is a marked improvement.

I have received one account that a potential user was in a Canopy wireless “dead zone” and could not receive a signal with the necessary strength. Even so, he was very complementary about the effort made by the installer to try all options in an attempt to find a location on the property that might get a signal. He may try the 3G/4G HSPA service discussed below.

I am also getting feedback that people within range of the Bellevue tower 3G/4G HSPA service are using Rogers data hubs to install broadband (high speed Internet) and home phone service. One comment said the data hubs are out-of-stock until next week in the local area. Additional information on how this works is available through this ADnet website link

More people are likely to take–up this choice as additional 3G/4G HSPA sites come on line.

Deferral Account Information as of 08 Jun 11

Readers interested in the latest information on the Bell Canada Deferral Account project for the areas of Echo Bay, Goulais River, St. Joseph Island and SSM – Airport should refer to the ADnet website where I posted the latest information available to me as of 8 Jun 11.

It’s Magic – Tbaytel Grows a Generation

Tbaytel has now joined the other cellular companies and Xplornet Communications in calling their networks 4G HSPA+ as shown in this extract from their website.

To read my opinion of this change, see the blog entry The Latest on 3G and 4G Terminology.

Additional HSPA Sites Operational Along Hwy 17 North

The following cellular sites along the Hwy 17 corridor north from the Sault towards Thunder Bay are now operational in both the 2/2.5G CDMA (Bell, Telus and Tbaytel compatible hardware only) mode and the 3G HSPA (Rogers and Tbaytel compatible hardware only) mode. A single handset capable of both 2/2.5G CDMA and 3G HSPA operation is not available :

1. Bellevue
2. Michipicoten
3. Wawa
4. Marion Lake
5. White River

Additional sites are scheduled for commissioning between now and September 2011.

Bellevue and Heyden Canopy Wireless Broadband Operational

Tbaytel has confirmed in writing that the Bellevue and Heyden broadband (high speed Internet) Canopy systems are now operational effective Monday, May 30, 2011 at 12:30 pm. Residents of the North Sault area within range of one of these towers can now get better access to the Internet.

The area installer has also confirmed that he has received the go ahead from Tbaytel.
To order the service, contact Tbaytel customer service at 1-800-264-9501 or customercare@tbaytel.net

I hope some of you will have service in the next few days. I would be interested in hearing if and when you get access and what you think of the service. Either contact me directly or use the comment section below.

North Sault Broadband Installations To Start 30 May 11

Tbaytel has started to contact users who registered for the Canopy wireless broadband (high speed Internet) service to arrange site visits to confirm the availability of the signal and to carry out installations.

Tbaytel uses computer generated coverage projection models to determine which access point provides coverage in the user’s area. For the initial phase, areas covered by the Bellevue and Heyden access sites will be contacted followed shortly by people in the Goulais (Buttermilk) area. As previously reported, there is considerable pent-up demand and it may take a while to get around to all potential users.

The visits are scheduled to start the week of 30 May 11.

These new access point sites join the Batchawana and Searchmont sites that have been providing service for nearly a year.

Bellevue HSPA Operational

Tbaytel informed me that the Bellevue HSPA cell site is now operational.

This means users with Rogers or Tbaytel 3G HSPA hardware i.e smart phones should be able to get service in the coverage area. The site will not work with Rogers 2/2.5G GSM hardware. 

Bell and Telus 3G HSPA will not work with the new service.The site will continue to provide Tbaytel and Bell/Telus 2/2.5G CDMA service. In other words, if you were able to use your cell phone previously, the new HSPA service will have no effect.

Tbaytel will be providing more details on the HSPA service in due course and I will provide particulars as they become known.