Teenage Tales: Revolutionizing Rural Internet Access with the Local Telephone Company

As I transitioned into high school, my family relocated to an even more remote area compared to our previous home. With fewer than 65 students in my graduating class, it was a significant adjustment for me.

Moreover, the rural setting meant that access to high-speed internet was virtually non-existent. Cable companies had no plans to extend their infrastructure to our area, and the phone company showed little interest in providing DSL services. Even satellite internet, touted as a high-speed solution, still required a dial-up connection for uploads, rendering it far from ideal.

Upon moving to our new house, we were greeted with the disappointment of having dial-up internet as our sole option. While dial-up was familiar from our previous address, much had changed in the interim. I had successfully launched ThirdGeek and XPreme, but my ambitions were expanding, and one project I was eager to explore was Internet radio.

Back then, the landscape was vastly different from today’s on-demand streaming services like Spotify. While services such as Napster allowed for music piracy, Internet radio held its own allure. RealPlayer dominated the scene, while Winamp revolutionized it with Shoutcast, enabling a proliferation of Internet radio stations across the web.

During this period, I also dipped my toes into the world of MMORPGs. A friend of mine was engrossed in The Matrix Online, and his enthusiasm piqued my interest. It marked my first real foray into the MMORPG realm, although I had already dabbled in The Sims Online to some extent. Despite the sluggishness of my dial-up connection, The Sims Online was playable, albeit slow. However, The Matrix Online presented a different challenge. While I experienced lag and even met my demise a few times due to high latency, I found it manageable, provided I avoided major confrontations.

My time in The Sims Online also introduced me to the concept of Internet radio stations tailored for gamers. These stations featured real-life DJs or on-air personalities spinning tunes while players immersed themselves in the game world. It added a layer of immersion, allowing players to feel more connected to their in-game personas as they navigated the virtual landscape.

It was my initial encounter with Shoutcast-based stations in Winamp, and most streams operated at 128k, requiring a brief buffering period before playback—especially while immersed in an online game. My workaround involved opening the stream and promptly hitting PAUSE, allowing the Winamp player to build up a buffer. This resulted in listening to the live stream about thirty seconds behind, but it significantly enhanced the gaming experience, adding an extra layer of enjoyment.

During a session in The Matrix Online, I stumbled upon someone spreading the word about a gamer-centric radio station that organized events within the game. Curious, I decided to explore this radio station online. Their website boasted a sleek design, featuring music genres I enjoyed and a diverse selection depending on the DJ. Moreover, they boasted a bustling IRC chat room, adding to the vibrant community feel.

After tuning in to the station for several months, I became determined to become one of the volunteer on-air personalities and host my own shows. I envisioned hosting a variety hour in the evenings on specific days, and during the lunch hour, I aimed to feature throwbacks to the eighties. However, the main obstacle was that I required at least a 256k internet connection, double the streaming bitrate of the station, yet I was still confined to a dial-up connection.

Navigating the maze of local internet options, I discovered that our ISP was actually the telephone company. With DSL services available in town but not in my area, I decided to reach out. Calling the number listed on their website, I found myself speaking to a receptionist, one of just a handful of staff.

When it came time to pay the bill, my mom suggested dropping it off in person, giving me the chance to chat with the receptionist. Handing over the check, I mentioned my interest in high-speed internet. She explained the challenges but hinted at a meeting with the person in charge, given my enthusiasm and knowledge.

A week later, I found myself penciled into his calendar. The receptionist mentioned my eagerness had made an impression, setting the stage for a promising discussion about infrastructure.

As I finally made my way to the ISP office, the receptionist welcomed me warmly, having already briefed the man in charge about my youthful curiosity and eagerness to delve into the intricacies of their infrastructure. Minutes later, I found myself whisked away to a bustling workspace, where a cluttered desk and an array of equipment hinted at the intricate web of connectivity behind the scenes.

Among the gadgets lay a peculiar antenna-like contraption, a Motorola creation catching my eye. It wasn’t long before the man I’d come to meet emerged, extending an invitation to explore the nerve center of their operations, where “the rubber meets the road.” Thrilled by the opportunity, I eagerly accepted, embarking on my maiden voyage into the realm of telecom technology.

The company representative disclosed their plans to roll out the first tower within our service area, signaling the onset of trials for a novel “high-speed internet offering.” Unlike traditional cable connections, this wireless solution promised rapid upload and download speeds, albeit with slightly higher latency. Given our remote location, I harbored no illusions about the cable company extending their infrastructure to reach us, rendering this development particularly thrilling.

When I inquired about the tower’s location, the representative divulged their strategy of avoiding the hassle of constructing a dedicated tower. Instead, they aimed to lease space on an existing cellular tower, sidestepping the logistical headaches and regulatory red tape associated with erecting a new structure.

Recalling the nearby cell tower, I sought clarification on the range of this new technology. While the coverage wasn’t expansive initially, the representative assured me of the potential to amplify the service’s reach as needed. Intrigued, I expressed our family’s interest in participating as testers, pledging to discuss the opportunity with my parents.

Later that evening, I approached my parents about the new internet service and its potential benefits. While they weren’t heavy internet users, my dad, an avid player of Diablo and Diablo II on Battle.net, understood the importance of a reliable, low-latency connection for his gaming sessions. We lived near a tower already under consideration for the service, which made it even more appealing.

Concerns about the pricing arose, as our current dial-up internet cost us around twenty dollars per month. Any significant increase would need careful consideration. I emphasized the advantage of not tying up the phone line while using the internet, which played a crucial role in convincing them to explore the option further.

I provided my parents with the contact details of the company representative, urging them to reach out via email to explore the potential of upgrading to a faster connection. I requested to be CC’d on the emails to stay updated on the progress and any decisions made.

A few weeks later, the discussions progressed smoothly, and the prospect of having 128k Internet down and 64k up was becoming a tangible reality, all at a price point my parents found agreeable. Recognizing that the service might have its hiccups in the beginning, the ISP offered my parents a discount in exchange for regular feedback—responsibilities that naturally fell to me.

Shortly after the antenna was mounted on the roof, we began putting this innovative connection to the test.

I immediately tested my new Internet connection and, despite the high latency, found the speed to be a significant improvement over our old dial-up connection. Excited, I decided to apply for an Internet radio station I had been listening to in the evenings, called Split Infinity Radio.

SI Radio was an online radio station for gamers, and it still operates today.

My wireless, radio-powered Internet ran at about 110k, while the station’s broadcast required a bit more than that. DJs needed at least double the broadcast rate, which I didn’t have. However, I felt confident that I could make it work despite the latency.

I applied for a tryout, succeeded, and soon became one of the frequent on-air personalities for the station, hosting a variety of programs across different days and timeslots. Meanwhile, I continued working with my Internet Service Provider to improve the service.

I meticulously measured Internet speeds, latency, and bandwidth, and collaborated with the company’s technicians each week to adjust antennas, change frequencies, and optimize the connection.

After fine-tuning the equipment settings, the company began advertising the service from the first tower. They aimed to recoup their investment and inform others in the area about the new high-speed services available, especially in regions that had been underserved by traditional means.

Over the next several months, I spent at least two hours on the phone each week with the company. We worked together, with them making various adjustments and me reporting changes in real time. As the service rolled out to other customers over the next year, we were the first to test new levels of antenna equipment and provide feedback on how it affected the service levels we received.

I look back fondly on this experience, where the company valued and utilized my feedback, building a mutually beneficial relationship. This collaboration taught me the importance of effective communication and the power of customer input in shaping better services. I hope to have similar experiences with other companies in the future.

This journey taught me the value of collaboration and the importance of giving and receiving feedback. By working together and being open to adjustments, both parties can achieve better results. It’s a reminder that whether you’re an individual or a business, building relationships based on trust and mutual respect can lead to significant improvements and innovations.