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Construction of a wireless broadband Internet access system is beginning now.  By the time it is completed 96% of currently unserved areas of Lansing will have access to a wifi system being built out by Cayuga Heights Internet Service Provider (ISP) Clarity Connect.  Tompkins County Broadband Committee Chairwoman Pat Pryor says that lansing is one of three communities that will get wifi broadband first.

"One of the reasons that Lansing is one of the first communities to be built out is that so many people responded to the request to let Clarity Connect know of their interest," says Pryor.  "Danby and Genoa will also be built out first."

Red dots are homes. Red areas are currently served by Time Warner Cable. Green areas will not be able to receive the wifi signal. Blue, yellow and white areas will receive the new wifi service.61-foot-tall utility poles will be erected at strategic locations in the town and radio equipment installed.  A $2.2 million state grant is being used to fund the project that encompasses most of Tompkins County and parts of southern Cayuga County. 

Pryor says the minimum upload and download speed will at least meet FCC standard, but only 5% of those served will receive the minimum speed.  70% to 75% of county customers will get much faster service with the remaining customers somewhere in between.  The FCC lists minimum speeds in a range of 0.5 Mbps for Web browsing to 4 Mbps for video conferencing, gaming, and high quality streaming video.  Higher speeds may become available later without a need for new transmitters/receivers because the hardware chosen for the project is upgradable via software updates.

Pryor says that some areas already covered by Time Warner Cable will also be covered by wireless broadband.  She says that is not intentional, but because of the nature of the wireless signal it was inevitable that some areas would be covered by both services.  That will mean new competition for the cable company.  While cellular and satellite Internet service has been available for some time, the Clarity Connect service will be the first to compete on connection speed.

Pryor showed the Lansing Town Board three maps last week that show current and future coverage.  Clarity Connect has installed similar service in other communities including Dryden.  Poles in other communities, including a tower to be constructed in Mecklenburg and two existing 911 towers will also provide coverage across town lines.  Pryor says the cost of the service will likely be between $35 and $45 per month.

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