Locally owned Newbreak Communications expands high speed wireless to underserved neighborhoods

Newbreak Communications, a local internet and telephone provider is expanding wireless internet service to underserved neighborhoods near the downtown area.

Chris Gilmer with Newbreak announced that new technology has allowed internet service to be expanded to residential and business locations near downtown. Gilmer explains, “With the new Tarana-based equipment that we are deploying which has a much higher bandwidth capacity and penetration value vs equipment we have used in the past.”

Tarana is a wireless technology developer who has created next-generation devices that provide wireless service that rivals some fiber service. According to their website, they produce “…new wireless technology that delivers fiber-class broadband at a fraction of the deployment time and cost of fiber.”

“This new technology is the difference between a gravel road and a superhighway,” said Gilmer.

A drone shot looking north from Castle Hill. Photo by Chris Gilmer

It’s all about bandwidth

Gilmer said, “The more bandwidth you have is essential to multiple devices streaming and speed.” This new technology will offer more than enough bandwidth for multiple devices and deliver 50 to 100 megs and greater, depending on the plan you choose. While a lot of companies say they deliver 50 megs, actual speeds are usually significantly lower because of the number of people using the service.”If you ever watch your utilization you will see your actual results are not at the promised level,” said Gilmer.

Gene Logan is assisting Gilmer at Newbreak and offered, “In today’s age, if you have a 4K TV it is using about 25 megs. With handheld devices, computers and a smart home, it just depends on your usage. So, that is why you need a lot of speed in today’s market. You’ve got remote access, people work from home, there’s a lot of need.”

Newbreak will be offering different levels of service depending on needs and budgets. “We’re hometown Vicksburg, we have great customer service. When you call us you talk to a human that you can understand. We’re very responsive,” said Gilmer.

The ACP

This new service will also link up with the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program). “That program will give a lot of people, who qualify for it, the ability to have something significant,” said Gilmer. The service area will include most of the downtown including the Fostoria Neighborhood and most streets off of Washington, Drummond and Cherry.

Newbreak tower looking east. Photo by Chris Gilmer

The ACP is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households along with other benefits.

Newbreak will be knocking on your door

Newbreak will be doing a marketing campaign and will be knocking on some doors to explain the service and sign people up. “If someone comes knocking on your door it is a legit local company. It’s a simple survey, we ask if you’re on the Affordable Connectivity Program and if you qualify. To qualify you would be on SNAP benefits, some type of lifeline program, any federal program that you could qualify for,” added Logan.

One of the main challenges facing impoverished communities is access to internet services. In today’s society resumes, interviews and in some cases even the job itself are all done on the internet. If you can’t afford the internet, you can’t get those opportunities. The ACP addresses that and Newbreak Communication is rolling that program out in Vicksburg.

Newbreak Communications is also negotiating to buy up Dark Fiber. Dark Fiber is the fiber that has been installed in the ground but is not in use. Newbreak Communications is working to light up that fiber.