Your Local Technology Partner

Investing in Your Future with Fiber Optics

Providing Northeast Iowa With

Voice • Internet • Security • Community Support

The Service and Technology You Deserve

• Alpine Communications is a full-service telecommunications provider offering services in Northeast Iowa – Elgin, Elkader, Garber, Garnavillo, Guttenberg, Marquette and McGregor

• Strong emphasis on customer service, leading-edge technology and community support

• In keeping with our motto, we are embarking on a project to bring state-of-the art fiber optic technology to every home and business in Elkader and Guttenberg

Our Mission

The mission of Alpine Communications is to become the premier solution provider offering communication and

advanced broadband solutions for the customers in the markets we serve with personal customer attention,

superior quality and by supporting our local communities.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the premier communications solution provider in the industry known for its talent, market

leadership, and operational excellence. Alpine Communications, LC will be respected for the quality and integrity of our people, services and processes. Through a commitment to continuous improvement, we will provide communication solutions that exceed the expectations of our customers. We create value for our owners through a

growth oriented approach that will enable us to be the leader in the industry.

Alpine Charitable Giving Program

This grant program was established in 2004 as an avenue for non-profit organizations to apply for funds which will address challenges our society faces. Alpine Communications has donated over $40,000 to local non-profits.

Community Support

American Cancer Society – Relay for

Life

Carter House

Central Ambulance Service

Central Boosters

Central Community Hospital

Foundation

Central Community School District

Central Dollars for Scholars

City of Clayton

City of Elkader - Park Board

Clayton County 4-H

Clayton County Conservation

Clayton County Development Group

Many of our employees volunteer their time and talents to various organizations throughout our communities.

Clayton County Fair

Clayton County Sheriff

Clayton County Foundation for the

Future

Clayton Ridge Schools

Clayton Ridge Booster Club

Clayton Ridge Dollars for Scholars

Clermont For the 21st Century

Decorah Area Chamber of Commerce

Elgin Betterment Club

Elgin Lions Club

Elgin Public Library

Elkader Area Chamber of Commerce

Elkader Child Care and Learning

Center

Elkader Development Corporation

Elkader Fire Department

Elkader Lions Club

Elkader Opera House

Elkader Police Department

Elkader Senior Meal Site

Elkader Soccer Club

Elkader Wellness Center

Fayette County Fair

Friends of the Elkader Public Library

G&G Living Center

Garnavillo Boosters

Garnavillo Community Daycare

Garnavillo Little League

Grand Excursion 2004

Garnavillo Library

Garnavillo Historical Society

Garnavillo Volunteer Fire Dept. & EMS

Guttenberg Civic and Commerce Club

Guttenberg Dollars for Scholars

Guttenberg German Band

Guttenberg Police

Guttenberg Public Library

Guttenberg Rotary

Helping Services For Kids Kampus

Naturally Guttenberg

Northeast Iowa

Parent Share & Support

Post-Prom Committees

Prairie Winds Garden Club

Scenic Acres

St. Mary’s School

Substance Abuse Services for Clayton County,

Inc.

The Spectrum Network

Valley Community School District

Valley Dollars for Scholars

Winneshiek County Fair

Yellow Ribbon Chapter Mar-Mac Suicide

Prevention

Main Street Elkader

McGregor Historical Society - Museum

Mar Mac Emergency Squad

McGregor-Marquette Chamber of

Commerce

MFL MarMac Dollars for Scholars

Mississippi Blackhawks Ski Team

Motor Mill Foundation

Northeast Iowa Community College

Palmer Lutheran Health Center

About Alpine Communications

Alpine has invested over $xxxx in capital improvements which has enhanced the ways in which our customers communicate today.

– April 1997- began offering local telephone service after purchasing the exchanges of Elgin, Elkader, Garber, Garnavillo, Guttenberg, and McGregor/Marquette from US West (now Qwest)

– November 1997 - installed new digital switching equipment.  Upgrade enabled Alpine to offer services such as caller ID, call waiting and voice mail to residential and business customers for the first time 

About Alpine Communications

– April - November 1997 – began providing local dial-up Internet access to all of our customers

– October 2000 – introduced high-speed Internet (DSL) to our customers in Elkader, Garnavillo, Guttenberg, and McGregor/Marquette

– March 2001 – became our own Internet Service Provider

– May 2001 - began providing high-speed Internet (DSL) to Elgin, IA

– And in 2007…….

Fiber To The Home

What We Will Cover Today

• What is Alpine Communications Fiber to the Home (FTTH) project?

• What is FTTH?

• What are the benefits of FTTH?

• What happens next?

Alpine Communications FTTH Project

• Alpine will construct fiber optic network that will reach all homes and businesses in Elkader and Guttenberg

– Winter 2007 – preparation for construction

– Spring 2007 – construction begins

– All homes and businesses with service from Alpine will cut over to new fiber service by the end of the year

• The project is funded through support from the Universal Service Fund established over 10 years ago to help rural communications providers offer advanced services to their customers.

What is FTTH?

• FTTH technology allows telecommunications services to be transported over fiber optic cables.

• Fiber cables are made up of glass strands the approximate thickness of a strand of hair.

• Pulses of light transport data over the glass.

What is FTTH?

What is FTTH?

• Fiber-optic communications is based on the principle that light in a glass medium can carry more information faster over longer distances than electrical signals can carry in a copper or coaxial medium.

• The purity of today's glass fiber, combined with improved system electronics, enables fiber to transmit digitized light signals well beyond 100 km (60 miles) without amplification.

• With few transmission losses, low interference, and high bandwidth potential, optical fiber is an almost ideal transmission medium.

•Fiber optic technology is future-proof.

How Does This Benefit Us?

• Fiber networks provide 100 times more bandwidth per home or business than any other networks including cable, wireless, or copper.

• Increased bandwidth means virtually unlimited capacity to bring telephone, Internet, digital television, and other services to subscribers – with very high quality and reliability.

ICEInformation • Communication • Entertainment

Is More Always Better?

• With wider bandwidth more information can be carried.

• Increased bandwidth means more services can be carried over the same network which means business productivity increases.

• The next slides will delve further into the benefits of a fiber network.

Benefits of FTTH

• Highest quality and most reliable connection

• Telephone (crystal clear sound)

• High-speed Internet (faster speeds)

• Virtually unlimited capacity for additional services

Why is Broadband Important?

Broadband can provide you with the technical capability to access a wide range of resources, services, and products that can enhance your life in a variety of ways.

– Education, Culture, & Entertainment

– Telehealth & Telemedicine

– Economic Development/E-Commerce

– Public Safety and Homeland Security

– Broadband Communications Services

– Communications Services for People With Disabilities

Benefits of Broadband for Businesses

Fast access to:

• Customer self-support

• Integrate with suppliers

• Competitor information

• Online bill pay

• Empower customers

• Hosted Applications

• Training

• Web Presence

• eLearning

• Broader customer base

• Reduce Cost of Travel

Phases of Internet Use In Your Business

Importance of the Increased Internet Speeds

• 70% of adults use the Internet which represents 141 million people

• 91% send and receive email

• 78% use the Internet to research a product or service before buying

• 77% look for information on a hobby or interest

• 73% research travel information

• 71% buy on the Internet

Importance of Capacity for Additional Services

• Interactivity and convergence

• Enhanced personalization and control

• One bill, one call for all your service needs

Potential New Services

– Digital TV

• more channels

• video-on-demand

• DVR (TiVo-like service)

• HDTV

• caller ID, voice mail, and email on your TV screen

Potential New Services

– Security systems with online monitoring

– Video conferencing

– Remote data back-up

– VPN

– Online gaming

– Health care in the home

Summary of FTTH Benefits

• Bandwidth capacity of the network ensures future access to technology and services.

• Increases the productivity of businesses

• Increases home values

• Increases economic vitality of the local economy – will make Elkader and Guttenberg attractive to businesses looking to establish or relocate to the area.

What Happens Next?

• Alpine Field Technicians are in the process of visiting all homes and business in Elkader and Guttenberg

– Discuss project and placement of Optical Network Terminal (ONT) to replace the existing box

– Determine placement of underground wiring and plumbing

– Technicians will be wearing Alpine shirts and carry Alpine ID

• The preparation work will enable us to construction the network with minimal disruption to you and your property.

What Happens Next?

• Construction will begin in the spring and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

• Once construction begins, we will keep you informed on our progress and contact you when we enter your area and are ready to activate your fiber connection.

• Your services will be transferred to our new fiber service with minimal to no disruption of your existing service. There will be no additional charges to you for this upgrade unless you choose to add new services to your account.

What Happens Next?

We Are Excited!

• Alpine Communications’ staff and board of directors are excited to bring a state-of-the-art fiber network to the communities of Elkader and Guttenberg.

• We are committed to keeping you in touch, logged on, entertained, and productive!

We are Here to Answer Your Questions

For More Information About Alpine Communications:

Contact

Chris Hopp, General Manager

PO Box 1008

Elkader, IA 52043

www.alpinecom.net