Planning and Implementation

Planning and implementing a community broadband wireless network is complex and requires specialized skills – not often found locally. RPM’s team of partners have assisted many communities through the process – from market assessment and feasibility, through strategy development and planning, to actual implementation and operations.

• RFP Development – Communities usually require a request for proposals to be developed. The RFP can focus on either building the network or delivering required services. It should be designed to accurately reflect the community’s requirements and also attract optimum responses from vendors.
• Pilot Network Planning – Few communities develop their broadband wireless networks in a single phase. Often, pilot network implementations are required to demonstrate capability, benefits, and to help marshal community support. It is crucial to clearly set expectations, and to carefully select pilot applications, user groups, and locations. The object is to both insure a successful pilot, and to ease rapid expansion to full deployment.
• Vendor Selection – Vendor proposals must evaluated on their technical and economic merits, and also on their ability to satisfy long term community requirements. Subtle trade-offs often require both detailed understanding of the technology and intimate knowledge of community intentions.

RPM has successfully partnered with Stratum Broadband LLC on numerous community broadband projects. RPM focuses on the marketing and business strategy portions of projects, and Stratum has the network design and engineering expertise and experience to translate project requirements into real-world networks. Together the RPM-Stratum partnership can help clients from creation of the original concept to the implementation and delivery of communication services.