News & Press Releases
Qwest Tests System for Rural Areas
Publication: Albuquerque Journal, March 8, 2004
By Rosalie Rayburn, Journal Staff Writer
A twist on wireless phone technology is expected to help Qwest finally solve problems that have kept some rural residents waiting for a dial tone for years.
Qwest hopes tests conducted in February at a rural location between Cuba and Bloomfield will show a specific technology can be used to provide long awaited service to 75 homes on the Navajo Nation.
The radio operated system developed by Redway, Calif.-based Carlson Wireless Technologies Inc., can transmit voice and data information over the airwaves from a tower-mounted antenna to homes as many as 30 miles away.
Poles, wires not needed
All each home needs is a pizza box-sized transceiver mounted on an exterior wall to receive the dial tone signal and a phone handset. "It simply takes the place of lots and lots of poles and copper," said Bill Thorington, Carlson's vice president of operations and general manager.
Carlson's technology produces higher quality signals than regular cellular phone providers with much less infrastructure. Thorington said it is sound quality equal to copper line and also supports fax and dial-up modem Internet connections. Signals are encrypted to ensure privacy. "You can't eavesdrop on conversations," Thorington said.
Carlson developed the technology as a low cost telecommunications system for remote areas. Carlson's Web site, www.carlsonwireless.com lists offshore drilling companies, ranchers and rural phone companies among its customers.
Right-of-way issues
For Qwest, the system promises a solution to frustrating right-of-way issues that have hindered the company from extending phone lines to fill orders for service on Navajo land, some for nearly five years. Based on results from the initial tests, Qwest plans to work with Carlson to custom design a wireless system that could provide phone service to hundreds more homes on the Navajo Nation, said John Badal, Qwest's top executive in New Mexico. Qwest serves 14 Navajo communities in western and northwestern New Mexico.
Carlson could mount the antennas on towers that serve the existing Qwest phone network and supply service within about two months, Badal said. The cost would be "substantially less" than the $5.5 million Qwest expected to spend filling the 75 delayed phone orders, Badal said. But final cost estimates won't be made until the system design is complete. Qwest has discussed the wireless solution with leaders of the Navajo nation. "Everyone seems to be excited about it," Badal said.
A phone call seeking comment from Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley was not returned.
Qwest has spent three years and $500,000 trying to gain rights of way to extend phone lines over tribal lands.
Navajo Nation's role
In December 2001, the Navajo Nation Council and six other Navajo committees gave Qwest authority to proceed with a three-phase plan to provide phone and Internet service to homes on Navajo land. But the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which has authority over some of the Navajo land, declared the agreement invalid because it hadn't signed off on the agreement, Qwest said.
Qwest expected another agreement, signed last August by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Navajo Nation to allow the company to start work on phone lines before right-of-way negotiations were complete.
Despite positive feedback from all sides at the time, the agreement has not resolved right of way issues that prevented Qwest from extending phone lines, Qwest said.