WHIN Partners with MetaLINK Technologies to Offer Broadband Services to the Region
MetaLINK Technologies, Inc. (MetaLINK), a wireless service provider in Defiance, Ohio, is now offering high-speed internet services to the WHIN region through WHIN’s next-generation broadband deployments.
“The WHIN-equipped towers that MetaLINK will use are currently capable of up to 100/20 Mbps wireless service, while some locations can reach up to 400/100 Mbps,” says Greg Jarman, Vice President for Broadband Partnerships for WHIN. “We know that there are businesses and residents in our region who do not yet have access to anything approaching that capability.”
WHIN’s network meets a need for services in rural areas. WHIN’s project is positioning its ten-county region to be a leader in network innovation. According to WHIN CEO Johnny Park, implementing innovative connectivity solutions is an important part of WHIN’s mission.
“We are here to accelerate the digital transformation of our region because the use of digital technology is now key to growth and prosperity,” says Park. “But we do that in a way that also leads to the Wabash Heartland becoming recognized as a center of innovation.” According to CEO Phillip Maag, “MetaLINK is in a great position to increase its presence and offerings in Indiana thanks to its collaboration with WHIN. The virtual network operator (VNO) network of WHIN will enable MetaLINK to expand its customer base and reduce the digital divide.”
The solutions that are on WHIN’s towers include LTE CBRS technology from Telrad and proprietary technology from Tarana that are newly commercialized.
“The Tarana solution uses an AI-powered algorithm to manage interference, resulting in both high speeds and the ability to better penetrate obstructions,” says Jarman.
According to Jarman, the business side of broadband is also paramount and the new gear helps keep service affordable and up-to-date.
“Service providers in low density areas have struggled to keep gear up-to-date because of the cost,” says Jarman. “WHIN is not a service provider. It is a neutral host who makes its gear available to service providers for a variety of purposes, from residential and business service to eLearning to eGovernment and beyond. The neutral host model, which relies on the latest smart network technology, helps support the capital investment required to keep technology up-to-date.”
WHIN’s network is intended to benefit everyone who is trying to solve the digital divide, according to Park.
“WHIN’s network is ultimately for demonstration purposes,” says Park. “Our locations are carefully selected to allow us to test the boundaries of new wireless technology as well as new business models. We will publish the results so that all broadband stakeholders can understand the options and opportunities new technology now affords for service, economic viability and sustainability.”
The towers that MetaLINK will sell from are partly funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce/Economic Development Administration.
To learn more about WHIN’s broadband initiative, visit: whin.org/broadband.
SOURCES: Alivia Roberts, Marketing and Communications Manager, Wabash Heartland Innovation Network (WHIN): Alivia@whin.org.
ABOUT WHIN: WHIN is an innovative nonprofit organization devoted to making the 10-county Wabash Heartland region of north-central Indiana the global epicenter of digital agriculture and next-generation manufacturing empowered by smart IoT technology.
ABOUT METALINK: Since its inception in 1996, MetaLINK has been a reliable and quality internet service provider (ISP) serving a broad region spanning Northwest Ohio, Northeast Indiana, and Southern Michigan. This company offers multiple services to both businesses and households, including high-speed internet, fiber transport, fiber to the premise, co-location, web hosting, and hosted IP-phone services.