Aloft Communications in the Press
Aloft Offers Rural WNC Wireless Internet Option
Originally Published Feb 19, 2007
BURNSVILLE — Robin and McKinley Caldwell, co-owners of Aloft Communications, are on a quest to provide high-speed Internet service to communities where other providers won’t go.
Although it’s been in business only since August, Aloft already has brought high-speed wireless service to the towns of Burnsville and Marshall.
They now are expanding service into northern Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, Avery and Mitchell counties.
While most Internet service providers need a mountaintop tower to give customers a decent signal, Aloft is using a new technology of small Wi-Fi mesh transmitters that attach directly to utility poles.
“We’ve been working on providing a reliable infrastructure,” McKinley Caldwell said. “This technology isn’t affected by snow, rain or fog, and we don’t need to build huge mountaintop towers.”
The Caldwells aren’t new to owning their own business. For 17 years, they ran Caldwell Consultants, a telecommunications consulting firm based out of Weaverville. When they saw the demand for more and better Internet service in rural areas, they started Aloft Communications.
“We want to see that the kids out here have the same opportunities as the kids in Asheville and other metropolitan areas,” Caldwell said.
Miki Pontorno, executive director of the Yancey County Chamber of Commerce said: “We love what they’re doing out here, and we’re looking forward to having more and more of Yancey County connected to the Internet.”
Pontorno is also looking forward to having her home connected. She has dial-up service, but she said, “we’ve had really major problems.”
“Having a local provider is a big plus,” Pontorno said. “I can just call them up if I’m having a problem and talk to a real person.”
“I think what they’re doing is true entrepreneurship. They saw a need and jumped in to do it,” said Russ Yelton, director of Asheville-Buncombe Technical College’s Small Business Incubator, which helped the Caldwells plan their new business.
“Under North Carolina law, only one ISP per utility pole is allowed. So, in essence, they’ve locked up the market just by asking,” Yelton said.
He also mentioned the impact on new business that high-speed wireless can bring to communities.
“We work hard to recruit businesses,” he said. “Having high-speed wireless is a big plus for those areas to attract new companies.”
Aloft also works with developers to put wireless service in new subdivisions.
“It’s an important amenity for Realtors and developers to have when they’re trying to sell new homes,” said Robin Caldwell. “People want to move to the country but still have all the city amenities.”
Aloft offers computer repair and website design, although wireless service is the “backbone” of the business, said McKinley Caldwell.
