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Working in a Coal Mine-With Wireless

WCA members Fleming Mason Service Co. and ALTIUS Communications announced deployment of 5 GHz Motorola Canopy equipment to provide backhaul for five coal mines in rural Kentucky. "We were contacted by several coal mines and asked if we could help solve a rather challenging problem presented by the extreme topography of these remote sites," said Charles Spann, vice president for Fleming Mason Service Corp. Each site needed a reliable solution for "connecting" its main office to remote warehouses and weigh stations. A physical connection using copper or fiber optic cables was possible but expensive. After visiting each mine, Spann suggested a cost-effective alternative-fixed wireless.

Spann contacted Jim Connor, an expert in wireless deployment and equipment procurement. Spann said, "I've known Jim for several years and he had been in Kentucky just a few months earlier participating in the construction of one of Fleming Mason's fixed wireless broadband transmit sites." Connor had recently formed ALTIUS Communications as a VAR for all types of broadband and wireless equipment and serves as its president. "Jim confirmed my assessment and we selected Motorola Canopy as the right equipment at the right price for these unusual requirements."

Connor noted that "This situation where an operator has choices but selects wireless as the 'end-to-end' solution is becoming more common. With the right thought and equipment options, wireless is more and more the first-line choice. Challenges like this are why I formed ALTIUS and we are pleased with the outcome for Fleming Mason and its client."

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