FairPoint Scales Peak to Provide Internet Service

MANCHESTER, NH – FairPoint Communications, a provider of broadband Internet access, local and long-distance phone, television and other high-capacity data services to customers across 18 states, has successfully completed a complex network project at Mount Washington Observatory, bringing faster and more reliable Internet, phone and video conferencing services to the nonprofit research and educational institution operating on New England’s highest peak.

Mount Washington Observatory, whose mission is to advance understanding of earth’s weather and climate, had been using several different carriers for telecommunications services before contracting with FairPoint, and wished to consolidate. FairPoint was able to meet all of Mount Washington Observatory’s service needs at the remote summit location, the North Conway Weather Discovery Center (an interactive science museum), as well as its video conference link with the ConnectNH program at the University of New Hampshire in Durham - while actually improving the Observatory’s existing network and saving money at the same time.

Before FairPoint re-configured the system, the Observatory faced challenges from its wireless microwave connection to the summit. Connections could be lost or slowed considerably due to inclement weather and/or not enough bandwidth at peak user times.

Distance Learning Live to the Observatory
An important element of the Mount Washington Observatory is its distance learning program which enables schools, museums, and libraries anywhere in the world to go live to the summit and learn about climate and weather through compatible video conferencing equipment.

“Our videoconferencing program is an essential part of our educational mission and a critical source of revenue,” said Mount Washington Observatory’s chief financial officer, Gary Plant. “Thanks to FairPoint’s expertise and services, the program is stronger and more reliable than ever. It is quite a feat to be able to illustrate to various groups of students what’s going on at the top of the highest summit in New England.”