[Vision2020] Telkonet and First Step Internet Provide University Students with Broadband Internet Access

[Mike Hall]

For folks interested in this sort of thing.

 

 

Germantown, MD, Telkonet, Inc. (AMEX: TKO), the leader in providing
powerline carrier (PLC) networking solutions using existing electrical
wiring, today announced that Telkonet, in partnership with First Step
Internet, has deployed the Telkonet iWire System in Washington State
University's student housing units. Telkonet and First Step Internet, an
Internet Service Provider, are joining forces to market broadband Internet
access to multidwelling units in northern Idaho and eastern Washington.
Under the partnership, First Step Internet will provide the Internet service
and Telkonet will deliver broadband Internet access using its proven
powerline carrier communications technology. The Telkonet iWire SystemT,
with its patented PLC technology, provides in-building broadband Internet
and network access over a building's existing electrical wiring.

First Step Internet's first installation of the Telkonet iWire System was
completed in July at the Terrace Apartments, part of Washington State
University's student housing. Mike Hall, Area Sales Manager of First Step
Internet, commented, "The Telkonet iWire System is ideal for older
apartments, such as the Terrace that was built in the late 1950's, where it
would be cost-prohibitive to retrofit with CAT-5 or even to install
wireless. As Telkonet's system uses a building's existing electrical
infrastructure for Internet delivery, it eliminates the need to install new
wiring. By offering the Telkonet iWire System, we can now round out our
offerings to provide both old and new complexes with Internet service."

Bob Tattershall, Director of Housing and Conference Services, explained, "We
initially installed wireless in some of our student housing complexes, but
found we were constantly getting complaints from unhappy users due to
inconsistent coverage. There are many different complicated factors involved
when providing wireless access in a large complex, and these cannot be
totally overcome. Wireless requires a new infrastructure to be deployed
throughout an entire complex, but with Telkonet, the electrical
infrastructure already exists. The comparative cost for Telkonet's system
was about 20% that of wireless, and best of all, we can provide students
with secure and reliable Internet access from every power outlet in every
room. Furthermore, students do not need a land line with the Telkonet system
- a major plus since many students only have cellular phones. When word got
out that the Terrace apartment complex was offering wired Internet access,
two families moved from their apartment complex into the Terrace complex - a
true testament to the demand for reliable and secure high-speed Internet
access."

About First Step Internet

First Step Internet began offering dial-up Internet access in 1994 with the
idea of making Internet access available to virtually everyone.  First Step
Internet enabled the communities of the Inland Pacific Northwest to take
advantage of the new opportunities arising in e-commerce. First Step
Internet has matured to being an ISP that services areas in Central
Washington and Idaho. With the rise in broadband, the products of First Step
Internet have grown to include Frame Relay, DSL and Fixed Wireless Internet
service. Through continuous expansion, First Step Internet has grown to be
the region's largest local user based Internet service provider by supplying
the lowest cost and highest quality connectivity available. First Step
Internet has installed wireless and wired networks in over 3,500 apartments.
For more information please visit www.fsr.com.

About Telkonet

Telkonet develops and markets technology for the transmission of high-speed
voice, video and data communications over the existing electrical wiring
within a building. The revolutionary Telkonet iWire SystemT utilizes proven
powerline communications (PLC) technology, which enables the delivery of
commercial high-speed broadband access from an IP "platform" that is easy to
deploy, reliable and cost-effective by leveraging a buildings existing
electrical infrastructure. 

The building's existing electrical wiring becomes the backbone of the local
area network, which converts virtually every electrical outlet into a
high-speed data port, without the costly installation of additional wiring
or major disruption of business activity. 

The Telkonet iWire System can be installed rapidly and offers a viable and
cost-effective alternative to the challenges of hardwiring and wireless
local area networks (LANs). Telkonet's products are designed for use in
commercial and residential applications, including multi-dwelling units and
the hospitality and government markets. Applications supported by the
Telkonet "platform" include but are not limited to: VoIP telephones,
Internet connectivity, local area networking, video conferencing, closed
circuit security surveillance and a host of other information services. For
more information, please visit www.telkonet.com.

Sincerely,

 

 

Mike Hall

Area Sales Manager

First Step Internet

888-676-6377 Ext. 540

208-882-8869

http://www.fsr.com <http://www.fsr.com/> 

mikech at fsr.com

 

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