Ventura, CA (PRWEB) June 08, 2017 -- More than 300 attendees gathered at the Hyatt Regency in Arlington, Virginia last week, May 31st – June 2, 2017, for the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition’s 7th annual convention to discuss how industry leaders can connect rural anchor institutions and close the United States’ digital divide. With focus on how to build broadband networks in rural communities, California Internet’s CEO, Sklyer Ditchfield, took the stage sharing the proven success of fixed wireless technology and how it is a viable solution in closing the digital divide.
Accompanied by California Internet’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Phillip Deneef, Ditchfield began his address by reminiscing on his humble beginnings, affirming internet was fundamental in providing the tools and inspiration needed in his entrepreneurial journey. He continued by showcasing a variety of successful case studies that demonstrated how California Internet successfully deployed fixed wireless utilizing renewable energy, such as solar power and wind turbines, to connect extreme rural locations. Employing a 100% in-house approach to engineering, design, land procurement, construction, and data connectivity, Ditchfield further explained how fixed wireless is not only the fastest but also the most cost-effective solution available on the market today.
“I recognize the skepticism and wireless anxiety that people have surrounding fixed wireless technology,” stated Ditchfield. “People think that the technology is inherently flawed, when that’s just not the case. With proper engineering, it is not only possible, it’s feasible to connect rural anchor institutions, in effect, helping close our country’s digital divide. Myself, Phillip, and our entire team back in California, are driven to continuously advance innovation in broadband delivery, and that’s just what we’re doing. I want all rural anchor institutions to know that California Internet offers full turnkey solutions, from network instruction, to bandwidth delivery, via our innovative fixed wireless technology.”
Outside of his speech, Ditchfield and Deneef had the opportunity to further interface with newly inducted FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen over dinner at Chesapeake Room. The evening allowed the regional carrier an opportunity to share and reiterate its experience and success using fixed wireless to reduce the digital divide. Ditchfield and Deneef’s efforts were met with understanding, appreciation and support.
“We are at a pivotal moment of change in our country, and schools, libraries, health providers, and other community anchor institutions (CAIs) have the power to unite and move us forward,” said SHLB Executive Director John Windhausen. “California Internet has proven that fixed wireless is a viable solution for our rural institutions.”
In the days following the convention, Ditchfield and Deneef met with various anchor entities to initiate the process of acquiring the funds needed to achieve their digital goals. With additional support from the recent passing of California’s AB 1665 Bill, California Internet is on a fast track for national expansion. Moving forward, California Internet plans to work towards securing additional grant money, developing strategic partnerships and expanding its metro footprint with a 100gbps backbone and ability to deliver 10gbps via fixed wireless.
For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Skyler Ditchfield, please contact Lexie Olson at lolson(at)californiainternet.com.
Founded in 2011 by CEO, Skyler Ditchfield, and CTO, Ryan Hauf, California Internet is the fastest growing B2B fixed wireless ISP in Los Angeles, California. With immediate access to California’s rural communities, California Internet services the largest coverage area of any single provider in California delivering enterprise-class internet, layer 2 transport, and turnkey construction that is expertly tailored for all businesses and Anchor Intuitions such as hospitals, libraries and schools.
With industry leading installation times, California Internet’s flagship service, ClearFiber™, offers customers fixed wireless on the most resilient and scalable network ever built. Boasting Sub 25MS latency, 99.99% uptime, sub 4ms jitter, and a 4-hour max repair time, California Internet is proud to offer the state’s best industry service level agreement.
Servicing thousands of businesses across the state, California Internet officially became a CLEC and public utility in 2017.
The Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition was created in 2009 in Washington, D.C. to help address the shortage of adequate broadband for anchor institutions and their communities. ["SHLB" is pronounced "SHELL-bee"] The SHLB Coalition is a broad-based organization of anchor institutions, commercial companies and non-profit broadband providers, foundations, public interest groups, and others that work together to develop and support policies to improve broadband connectivity for anchor institutions and their communities in all regions of the country – urban, suburban and especially rural. We receive financial support from membership dues, from our events, and from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The SHLB Coalition is founded on the belief that deploying broadband networks to serve anchor institutions is a cost-efficient and vitally important investment in our nation’s future. Deploying broadband to anchor institutions can improve broadband access to millions of people (students, low-income and elderly people, migrants, etc.) who may not otherwise have access to the Internet. Anchor institution personnel can train people about broadband services and technologies, thereby stimulating broadband usage and demand. Furthermore, high-capacity “Middle Mile” broadband networks serving community anchor institutions can be used as “jumping off points” to serve surrounding residential and business consumers. Several studies show that building high-capacity broadband to community anchor institutions has a multiplier effect that generates tremendous economic growth for the community and the nation.
Lexie Olson, California Internet, https://www.californiainternet.com/, +1 (805) 225-4638 Ext: 8151, lolson@californiainternet.com
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