For communities and businesses in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and North Country of New Hampshire, NCIC provides assistance with project development, grant writing and funding, and project management to the successful completion of the project.

Our loan programs are designed to help make good ideas and jobs happen. NCIC partners with banks to provide the flexible solutions that help the bank and business. Our programs assist businesses from small home-based startups through the mature, growing business.

 
Through Wireless LINC, NCIC is partnering with Littleton Industrial Development Corporation to introduce the pilot Broadband Communication project to deliver high speed internet to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont and the North Country of New Hampshire.

About the Wireless LINC Initiative

MISSION: To expand the region’s economy and services by providing high speed, high technology connectivity for technology-based business, public, education, health and safety professionals.

HISTORY: With challenging terrain and a low population density, our region’s telecommunications infrastructure lacks a sufficient return-on-investment to interest private industry. As a result, we have old infrastructure with varying levels of survivability and redundancy.

Our broadband options to date are too expensive. We have little-to-no cellular systems, and the only fiber optic lines are for dedicated purposes. The majority of our region lacks the communication technologies needed for establishing a vibrant economy and providing public safety.

To address these issues, Wireless LINC is being formed as a 501 (c) 3 owned by Northern Community Investment Corporation and Littleton Industrial Development Corporation in

SERVICES: Initiating the project with a pilot centered in

Wireless LINC is proposing a four part solution including: a wireless infrastructure deployment; a regional area network; an integrated revolving loan fund for supporting the buildup of related broadband business; and a supporting education/call center for end users.

Wireless technology is highly secure and easy to upgrade, offering state-of-the-art performance both now and as demands increase. This infrastructure initiates through fiber connections in key areas that provide both primary and back-up sources and also helps with pricing competition. Such a design creates the first level in redundancy and survivability.

Within the system, data transmissions are made point to point between Outreach Beacons distributing service throughout the 6,000 square mile region. Each Outreach Beacon has multiple point to point transmissions to ensure automated and immediate backup within the system to create the second level in redundancy and survivability. Finally, point to multipoint transmission is made to distribute service to end users.

Wireless LINC intends to operate as a Regional Service Provider offering to internet service providers a state-of-the-art infrastructure to operate on. At the same time, it will be a true open access solution, placing choice and opportunity in the hands of the end user. It is anticipated Wireless LINC can be instrumental in providing the region with low cost and very high performance broadband options, making this region competitive worldwide.

Beyond economic advantages, such an infrastructure greatly improves educational, health and public safety communications and services. As a result, Wireless LINC is working closely with a variety of partners and service organizations throughout the region to deliver the optimal system.