Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. (FTI) Rural Satellite Broadband Tapped to Help Schools, University, Libraries, and Agencies Close Digital Divide

Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. (FTI) Rural Satellite Broadband Tapped to Help Schools, University, Libraries, and Agencies Close Digital Divide

TIPS/TAPS Purchasing Coop Makes FTI Internet and VoIP Services Available Across 45 States

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Nov. 30, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. (FTI) announced that the TIPS/TAPS purchasing consortium has selected it to provide broadband Internet and VoIP (voice-over-IP) services to member educational entities and government agencies. TIPS/TAPS made the award through a competitive bid process.

The FTI proprietary two-way satellite service is uniquely engineered to provide reliable high-speed Internet and telephone services to rural geographically isolated schools, libraries and other government agencies unable to contract for Internet services from other providers.

FTI's satellite installations are multi-purpose educational telecommunications gateways for rural schools that deliver immediate access to Internet, free long distance telephone calls and educational television programming. The FTI satellite Internet installation is capable of providing telephone service through its "Foundation Fone" VoIP technology with free long distance calls throughout the US. In addition, the installation also provides access to the eight channels of SCOLA educational foreign broadcast services that are currently viewed by over ten million students nationwide.

Kim Thompson, TIPS/TAPS Cooperative Coordinator says of the award, "TIPS/TAPS is very excited about the partnership created with FTI as a leading national vendor for Internet Services. Our purpose is to offer a cooperative program that can provide substantial savings and best value for TIPS/TAPS Members and we believe FTI will help us achieve our purpose."

"Now with FTI's service, even the most geographically isolated rural schools, libraries and government agencies can gain Internet service that is equal or better than that enjoyed by their big city counterparts," said George Livergood, President of FTI. "The FTI multi-function satellite gateway will finally bridge the digital divide inherent in rural America's access to state-of-the-art telecommunications resources."

TIPS/TAPS is available for use by all public and private schools, colleges, universities, cities, counties and other government entities in 45 states. Participation of government entities will provide the legally required competition for contracts for commonly purchased items, thereby saving the individual government agency the cost of going through the competitive process.

About Foundation Telecommunications, Inc.

Founded in 1979, Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. provides International innovative telecommunications network solutions using leading edge technologies with a "customer first priority". FTI integrates total digital solutions incorporating the most appropriate technologies whether satellite, fiber, laser or wireless for the most appropriate customer solutions. From providing wireless MESH communications from deep in an Appalachian coal mine to the rest of the world to geographically remote automated high-performance wireless "Hot Spots", FTI is on the leading edge. For more information on FTI please visit http://www.ftionline.com.

About TIPS/TAPS

The Interlocal Purchasing System (TIPS/TAPS) is a purchasing support group for Government Entities and Schools in 45 states. For more information visit http://www.tips-usa.com/

About SCOLA

SCOLA is a non-profit educational organization that receives and re-transmits television programming from around the world in native languages. SCOLA also provides other language learning content on this Web site. Universities, Colleges, K-12 schools, cable systems, government language schools and individuals use SCOLA content for current news, language study and cultural enhancement. SCOLA content is available via satellite, the Internet and through participating cable providers. For more information on SCOLA visit http://www.scola.org or call (712) 566-2202 and speak with one of our helpful employees.

CONTACT:

George Livergood         

President/CEO         

Foundation Telecommunications, Inc.         

+1.800-833-3353         

glivergood@ftionline.com

FTI provides High Speed Internet Services to Private Islands

Hurricane proof internet and phone anywhere!!

See our ad displayed in Private Islands Magazine

Your own private internet/wifi and VoIP service.  Systems already established in Samoa and Tonga. Now offering Voice Over IP Telephone services!

Bring the internet home, no matter where home may be. 

As the oldest continuously operating satellite based Internet Service Provider in the US, Foundation Telecommunication Inc. provides weatherproof Internet, WiFi and phone services anytime and anywhere. Enjoy the peace of working from your private island while staying connected to the rest of the bustling world. FTI has been providing profitable and professional high technology telecommunications solutions to broadcast, cable, government and education clients for decades.

Offering phenomenal service provided by a satellite Internet system, FTI understands that time is money. Increase the value of your property or increase resort revenues. Trust in FTI to deliver the services that you require.

FTI monitors every component of their broadband satellite Internet system 24/7 and offers clients reliable and revolutionary quality services that can withstand the biggest storms. Even during the fierce Hurricane Katrina, FTI continued providing their  trusted services.

Working from your exclusive area of the world you can enjoy wireless phone services with free long distance calls to the United States and a penny a minute rates to Canada. Videophone and telephone conferencing approved.

FTI’s proven professional services are profitable and of the highest quality.
For more detailed information on FTI and their superior services please visit www.FTIonline.com

OPTIONS

• WiFi Network—Multiple Buildings
• Local Domain Name & Email Server
• Downloads Up To 10 mbps
• Additional Users Pay-By-Credit Card
• Purchase By-The-MByte
• LOWEST Cost
• $.01/MByte to $2/Hour to $50/Month
• FASTEST Data Rates
• 2 mbps to 45 mbps (MIR)
• HIGHEST Annual Reliability
• Hurricane Proof Phone and Internet
• MOST Flexible Service
• Customer Specified Data & Rates
• Service Capacity of Each Installation Greater Than 200 Internet Users

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Options

Disasters can strike in countless ways, but despite the damage to your network - FTI has a disaster recovery solution designed to restore communications between your critical locations in seconds — using satellite technology. 

Backup Satellite Internet for
Business Continuity      

Virtually every company today depends on Internet connectivity to conduct its normal operations. But as vital as the Internet is, few businesses consider the risks of only having a single landline-based Internet service provider (ISP).

Unfortunately, many businesses have recently learned about these risks the hard way. Simple water main repairs or routine road construction may have accidentally damaged or disconnected a landline. An infrastructure failure or natural disaster may have caused an unforeseen interruption in service.

In any case, these businesses experienced a drop in productivity—immediately. Communication with customers was disrupted. Leads and inquiries, lost. The ability to fill orders, gone. It’s not enough to have just one Internet connection—you need a backup. And you need a backup that’s completely independent of the landline infrastructure, and not vulnerable to the same risks.

That’s why you need Foundation Telecommunications, Inc., the best and most reliable backup Internet solution for business continuity. Unlike other broadband satellite providers, everything we offer is business-grade. Which means we have the highest quality VSAT equipment, reliable teleports on the ground and transponders on the most sought-after satellites in the sky. Plus, we perform failover testing several times per year and monitor your satellite connection 24/7 year-round to ensure proper functionality. 

SatLink™      

FTI introduces its Mobile Satellite Uplink Trailer: SatLink™.   The C or Ku band SatLink™ offers a wide variety of optional features including Two-way SCPC or TDMA Communications, High Speed Data Link, Moving Map with USGS Topographic Base linked with GPS and Satmaster Pro Software, pole mounted observation camera system and power systems of battery (up to 72 hours), propane generator, and commercial power cabling. 

The addition of the generator option provides constant utilization of the SatLink™ in areas that may not have access to commercial power making the SatLink™ extremely versatile in disaster areas and rural locations.

Suggested applications for the SatLink™ include; Emergency Disaster Relief, Rural Economic Development, Private State LAN/WAN Communications, Rural Internet Communications, State Highway Department, Department of Education, State Parks and Recreation, Interstate and Intrastate Secured Communications.  The flexibility of SatLink™ allows the applications can change as quickly as the technology. 

The design goal of the SatLink™ was to provide a stable universal platform with stable versatile power sub-systems capable of supporting any customer equipment and satellite option. As designed, customers may purchase the basic SatLink™ and add their own specialized electronics in the standard rack space provided.

Upon delivery to FTI, each SatLink™ is individually designed to meet the exact specifications of each customer order.  To the basic SatLink™, clients can choose from a wide variety of options including: antenna size, AC power sub-system size, transmitter, lighting options, battery upgrades, generator options, cellular phone communications package, air-conditioner, heaters, wireless LAN and/or Free Space Optics and custom installation kits.  Rack space can be reserved for customer installed components, as well.

Transportable VSAT Terminals     

Whether the need is satellite broadcast, disaster response communications, or military communications, FTI's flyaway VSAT system provides secure high-speed data communications for Internet/VPN connectivity, live videoconferencing, surveillance or reconnaissance.

Applications:

• Quick deploy government or military communications.
• Deployable emergency response communications.
• Temporary communications from industrial sites (eg: mining, construction, energy).
• Distance learning and Telemedicine applications.

Telephone Recovery      

After an outage occurs, PRI in the Sky™ or 9-1-1 in the Sky™  enables your existing phone system to switch over to a satellite connection, instantly restoring normal functionality and turning every connected station into a satellite phone.

PRI in the Sky™ is compatible with Avaya, Nortel, Lucent, Cisco, NEC, 3COM, Alcatel, Mitel and any other system using PRI/ISDN for carrier connections.

A single satellite dish can support up to 92 concurrent calls in multiple formats (PRI, analog, E & M trunks) and simultaneously provide backup internet service.

PRI in the Sky is a new FTI  service that in combination with the Web Call Control can significantly increase Voice continuity in any organization. Used in conjunction with the Web Call Controller, FTI with the PRI option, can bring 24 PRI calls through a broadband Satellite link directly through your PBX. So in any type of outage caused by power, data loss, carrier problems, FTI can deliver 24 PRI calls directly through your phone switch.

For More information on the FTI PRI in the SKY Service Click Here

   

Word from the President of FTI:

How many of us have occupied hours trying to find the one Christmas tree light in the string that caused the entire string of lights to go dark? How many of us have lost our cable service because of a failure of a piece of equipment located miles away? How many small rural small communities have lost their 9-1-1 or telephone service because of a prairie fire, flood or other natural disaster in some distant location? 

Unfortunately, the traditional telecommunications systems continue to be implemented with each successive device dependent upon signals from prior devices whether it is a cable or telephone network. Herein, is the clear advantage of two-way satellite broadband. Services to satellite customers are delivered direct from a point on the Internet “backbone” through a single point of possible failure located 22,300 miles in orbit to their location. No prairie fire, flood, tornado or other natural disaster can interfere with that path. 

No domestic terrorist attack upon the command and control or power grid of the United States can stop the broadband service; broadband services that are currently being used for Internet, entertainment, and telephone services. Whether used as a backup or a primary service, there seems to be an irrefutable argument for two-way satellite broadband services for years to come.

Grassroots Efforts Bring High-Speed Internet to Rural Kentucky—One Community’s Story

In Greenup County, Kentucky, Melinda Spears and her two teenage daughters have never had an opportunity to connect to affordable high-speed Internet.

“I have a daughter in high school and, well have you tried to do anything on the computer via dialup lately?” Spears wrote to ConnectKentucky. “It's excruciatingly slow if it even works at all. Needless to say, she is unable to do any of her computer based schoolwork at home. In this day of technology, citizens are literally handicapped without the use of the Internet for everything from entertainment to information to education to contacting your representatives.”

However, thanks to grassroots efforts from public officials, private industry, local residents, and ConnectKentucky, Spears, her daughters, and her neighborhood are now benefiting from affordable high-speed Internet.

In a time where connectivity continues to be an issue in many rural areas in all states, Spears’ story is all too common. Her neighborhood is small — just 17 or so families. It’s on the border of two counties — Greenup and Boyd. Spears called her neighborhood, which runs along Brookefield Farm Road, the “Bermuda Triangle of Greenup County.”

Based on a suggestion from State Rep. Tanya Pullin (D-District 98), Spears contacted ConnectKentucky.

“Is there any way you can help us few, honest, hard working citizens, to be a part of and enjoy the benefits of this new, incredible, digital society and not be left behind?” Spears wrote. “I realize this may seem trivial to some, what with all the problems in our country and the world beyond, but if nothing else, it will benefit the future and the education of our children who deserve the same chances that urban children have. Thanks for your time and your work you do for our community and the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky. I am proud to be a Kentuckian.”

René True, executive director of ConnectKentucky, suggested that Spears gather a group of neighbors interested in broadband service. Spears did just that — 16 families in her area said they would subscribe to affordable broadband service if it was offered. True then contacted Foundation Telecommunications, Inc. (FTI) about the need and opportunity to provide broadband service to Spears’ neighborhood.

Starting in late May, FTI started providing Spears and her neighbors with high-speed service. Since the service began, FTI has had seven new subscribers.

For FTI, a ConnectKentucky Steering Committee partner, providing service to unserved areas is part of its mission.

“This community only had dial-up available prior to FTI installing this network,” said Bud Coburn of FTI. “Many had complaints about how long the downloads would take on dial-up for their kids to accomplish school work at home. With the faster speeds they were excited about the opportunity for their kids to learn their school work over the FTI network.”

George Livergood, president and chief executive officer of FTI, agreed.

“While it is certainly true that the new broadband service to the broadband ‘Bermuda Triangle of Greenup County’ is as a result of a public-private partnership with FTI, the project could never have become a reality without the cooperative efforts of the local community,” Livergood said.

For ConnectKentucky, helping Spears, her daughters, and her community become connected in an affordable way is a key component of the nonprofit’s work that continues to change the lives of Kentuckians.

“We are pleased to have helped Melinda and her daughters. Although the area served is a small one, we are privileged to have assisted Brookefield Farm residents in gaining the connectivity they deserve,” said True. “We applaud our friends at FTI and Rep. Pullin for their commitment to helping the communities they represent and serve. The broadband service offered by FTI provides hope for other Kentucky residents living in unserved areas.”

“I have been working to expand broadband service to our area for years. Because we are largely a rural area, several different ways to deliver high-speed Internet are needed to meet the needs of the residents here. Since FTI’s technology seems to work well, it may help to provide high-speed Internet to other rural parts of our county, too,” Rep. Pullin said.

Pullin continued, “I applaud Mrs. Spears and her neighbors for taking an active role in making this solution work. I also commend ConnectKentucky for their creativity in finding this high-speed Internet solution.”

For Spears and her neighbors, the new broadband service is working beautifully and they couldn’t be more excited.

“We were at the end of our rope. Our daughter had a new computer, but she was not using it. We are really happy with the new broadband service and others I have talked with are also pleased,” Spears said. “FTI was very persistent in dealing with the weather challenges in setting up the system. It is a whole different world being able to use broadband.”

*****************************

About ConnectKentucky: ConnectKentucky is leading the way into a new economy for Kentuckians. As an independent technology-based economic development organization, ConnectKentucky works to ensure that Kentucky remains the place of choice to live, work, and raise a family. ConnectKentucky is an alliance of technology-minded businesses, government entities, and universities working together to accelerate technology in the Commonwealth. www.connectkentucky.org.

FTI & Disaster Recovery: We go hand in hand.

Disasters can strike in countless ways, but despite the damage to your network - FTI has a disaster recovery solution designed to restore communications between your critical locations in seconds — using satellite technology. 

Backup Satellite Internet for
Business Continuity      

Virtually every company today depends on Internet connectivity to conduct its normal operations. But as vital as the Internet is, few businesses consider the risks of only having a single landline-based Internet service provider (ISP).

Unfortunately, many businesses have recently learned about these risks the hard way. Simple water main repairs or routine road construction may have accidentally damaged or disconnected a landline. An infrastructure failure or natural disaster may have caused an unforeseen interruption in service.

In any case, these businesses experienced a drop in productivity—immediately. Communication with customers was disrupted. Leads and inquiries, lost. The ability to fill orders, gone. It’s not enough to have just one Internet connection—you need a backup. And you need a backup that’s completely independent of the landline infrastructure, and not vulnerable to the same risks.

That’s why you need Foundation Telecommunications, Inc., the best and most reliable backup Internet solution for business continuity. Unlike other broadband satellite providers, everything we offer is business-grade. Which means we have the highest quality VSAT equipment, reliable teleports on the ground and transponders on the most sought-after satellites in the sky. Plus, we perform failover testing several times per year and monitor your satellite connection 24/7 year-round to ensure proper functionality. 

SatLink™      

FTI introduces its Mobile Satellite Uplink Trailer: SatLink™.   The C or Ku band SatLink™ offers a wide variety of optional features including Two-way SCPC or TDMA Communications, High Speed Data Link, Moving Map with USGS Topographic Base linked with GPS and Satmaster Pro Software, pole mounted observation camera system and power systems of battery (up to 72 hours), propane generator, and commercial power cabling. 

The addition of the generator option provides constant utilization of the SatLink™ in areas that may not have access to commercial power making the SatLink™ extremely versatile in disaster areas and rural locations.

Suggested applications for the SatLink™ include; Emergency Disaster Relief, Rural Economic Development, Private State LAN/WAN Communications, Rural Internet Communications, State Highway Department, Department of Education, State Parks and Recreation, Interstate and Intrastate Secured Communications.  The flexibility of SatLink™ allows the applications can change as quickly as the technology. 

The design goal of the SatLink™ was to provide a stable universal platform with stable versatile power sub-systems capable of supporting any customer equipment and satellite option. As designed, customers may purchase the basic SatLink™ and add their own specialized electronics in the standard rack space provided.

Upon delivery to FTI, each SatLink™ is individually designed to meet the exact specifications of each customer order.  To the basic SatLink™, clients can choose from a wide variety of options including: antenna size, AC power sub-system size, transmitter, lighting options, battery upgrades, generator options, cellular phone communications package, air-conditioner, heaters, wireless LAN and/or Free Space Optics and custom installation kits.  Rack space can be reserved for customer installed components, as well.

Transportable VSAT Terminals     

Whether the need is satellite broadcast, disaster response communications, or military communications, FTI's flyaway VSAT system provides secure high-speed data communications for Internet/VPN connectivity, live videoconferencing, surveillance or reconnaissance.

Applications:

• Quick deploy government or military communications.
• Deployable emergency response communications.
• Temporary communications from industrial sites (eg: mining, construction, energy).
• Distance learning and Telemedicine applications.

 

Telephone Recovery      

After an outage occurs, PRI in the Sky™ or 9-1-1 in the Sky™  enables your existing phone system to switch over to a satellite connection, instantly restoring normal functionality and turning every connected station into a satellite phone.

PRI in the Sky™ is compatible with Avaya, Nortel, Lucent, Cisco, NEC, 3COM, Alcatel, Mitel and any other system using PRI/ISDN for carrier connections.

A single satellite dish can support up to 92 concurrent calls in multiple formats (PRI, analog, E & M trunks) and simultaneously provide backup internet service.

PRI in the Sky is a new FTI  service that in combination with the Web Call Control can significantly increase Voice continuity in any organization. Used in conjunction with the Web Call Controller, FTI with the PRI option, can bring 24 PRI calls through a broadband Satellite link directly through your PBX. So in any type of outage caused by power, data loss, carrier problems, FTI can deliver 24 PRI calls directly through your phone switch.

For More information on the FTI PRI in the SKY Service Click Here

   

Using Satellite for Business Continuity

If a disaster strikes, every minute counts when your network operations go down.  Planning for recovery of critical I.T. assets can make the difference between business interruption and strategic recuperation.

Through experience and access to the latest satellite technology, FTI aids enterprises large and small to implement primary or network backup communications to help mitigate potential business disruptions and restore to normal operations quickly.

FTI's VSAT satellite solutions meet the needs of hospitals, large corporations, banks, and financial institutions worldwide.

Virtually every company depends on Internet connectivity to conduct its normal operations. But only few businesses consider the risks of only having a single land-line based Internet service provider (ISP). Unfortunately, many businesses have learned about these risks the hard way. Simple water main repairs or routine road construction may have accidentally damaged or disconnected a land-line. An infrastructure failure or natural disaster may have caused an unforeseen interruption in service. In any case, these businesses experienced a drop in productivity—immediately.

Even a few minutes of lost time during peak hours can sometimes translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars of lost business and productivity.It’s not enough to have just one Internet connection—you need a backup. And you need a backup that’s completely independent of the land-line infrastructure, and not vulnerable to the same risks. That’s where back-up satellite Internet solutions scores over traditional terrestrial Internet.

The satellite Business Continuity solution helps businesses stay running at all times. Business Continuity is redundant Internet access that gives businesses the ability to automatically switch traffic among multiple Internet connections. When the primary link goes down, the satellite link takes over. Meanwhile, QoS prioritization guarantees bandwidth to most important applications.

When the primary link goes down, your customers get the WAN/ISP failover that automatically switches the critical Internet traffic to the VSAT Systems backup link. QoS priority and bandwidth management can be decided according to requirements to guarantee bandwidth for critical applications.

While this may be a standard market for satellite communication services, unlike other broadband satellite providers, everything we offer is business-grade. Which means we provide the highest quality VSAT equipment. One primary failure incident averted pays for the service several times over.