1. Municipal Communication Networks October 26, 2005

2. Rochester Public Utilities Broadband over Powerline Development

3. Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) • Rochester, MN • 45,000 electric customers • Metropolitan service area • Limited competition in broadband servers

4. RPU Objectives: • Two-way communications into residence • Commercial AMR • Future services requiring two-way communication • Broadband at affordable rates

5. Partnership and Scope • HBC approached RPU • 50/50 split • Ten customer test area • Residential (Overhead and Underground) • Commercial

6. Issues: • City charter • Press releases • Very positive public support • Phone calls and emails • Utility board and city council

7. Vendor Selection Phase • BPL consultant used • RFP • Requirements • Powerline to the home outlet • Equipment used in commercial setting • FCC Part 15 Compliant • No interference with amateur radio • Vendor support

8. Testing • BPL Generation 1 Equipment • August, September & October 2004 • Internet speed and reliability • Telephone Clarity and Reliability • Ease of Installation • RF Interference (Rochester Amateur Radio Club) • This stuff works

9. BPL Today • BPL system is very reliable • Internet & telephone service works well • RF interference levels beat FCC standards • Vendor options are increasing • Bandwidth and speed are increasing

10. Hiawatha Broadband CommunicationsBroadband over Powerline Development

11. Communications Environment • High prices • Poor customer service • Data options don’t meet needs • Lack of video content/options • Complaints about quality of services

12. What To Provide • Services • Data (Internet) • Voice (Telephone) • Video (TV) • Utility Monitoring • Security • Technical Support • Help Desk • Billing • One bill to customer

13. Infrastructure Poses Challenges to Expansion • Costly to Construct • Time-Consuming to Construct • Disruptive to Prospective Customers • Alternative Pathways Must be Explored

14. What Is Available • Fiber • Poles, towers, buildings • Electrical lines

15. Using What Is Available • Fiber • What is in place • What can be added • Fiber can do it all • Data • Voice • Video

16. Using What Is Available • Poles, towers and buildings • Wireless network • Can be used in conjunction with fiber • Wireless can be effective • Data • Voice

17. Using What Is Available • Electrical Lines • Broadband over power lines • Can be used in conjunction with fiber • Emerging communications solution • Data • Voice • HBC and RPU trial implementation

18. BPL Services Today • Internet Speed to Home or Business • 3 mb to 5 mb • Telephone • Local and long distance • Voice over IP works very well • Video • Solutions are emerging

19. Partnering • Different business and support • Flexible • Deliver Multiple Services • Voice, Data, Video • History in Wholesale and Partnering • Telephone Services • Video Content • Internet Connection • Network Management • Network Operations

20. Municipal Communication Networks October 26, 2005