Sunday, February 25, 2007
Modern equipment and old-fashioned education are making Washington CountyÕs blueberry barrens and clam flats a little less remote.
Axiom Technologies LLC is helping it happen. Nelson Geel and Chris Moody started Axiom as a consulting company in 2004 but soon recognized the areaÕs paucity of reliable Internet access and decided to change direction.
ÒThere was a specific need for broadband and advanced telecommunications services in the county,Ó Geel said. ÒThere wasnÕt anyone else doing it.Ó
Geel, a Machias native, is an information technology specialist. Moody, who grew up in New Hampshire, met Geel on one of the jobs heÕs held in all aspects of computer-related industry. HeÕs been telecommuting but plans to move to Washington County.
The two joined forced with Jonesport businesswoman Susan Corbett in 2005. Together the trio revised AxiomÕs original business plan, Geel designed its network and they started installing transmitters and receivers.
ÒBroadbandÓ refers to high-speed Internet service. It usually is carried through telephone lines, cable television systems or fiber-optic cable. ItÕs expensive to set up and install in rural communities without existing cable television service or modern telephone lines.
Verizon, Time Warner and other large telecommunications companies have been reluctant to offer broadband to rural communities because the cost of installation is greater than the revenue it generates.
But Geel designed a hybrid mix of old-fashioned wire-based and modern wireless transmission systems to get around coverage problems caused by the regionÕs hilly topography, which made the installation more cost-effective for the company.
During the past 18 months, Axiom has installed 16 broadband access points across the hilly country of Downeast Maine, which deliver high-speed Internet service to more than 14 communities that never had broadband before.
The company has signed up between 200 and 300 residential and small business customers for its service.
Wireless installations for new customers cost $199.99 per installation. Residential subscribers pay $39.99 a month.
Rates for businesses range from $49.99 to $199.99 depending on bandwidth requirements.
Still, there are 700 residential and small-business people, in 12 towns, on a waiting list, as the company works to install more access points.
Experts are watching Axiom Ð which recently won a state grant to expand broadband Ð with interest, given that having broadband access in a region is an economic development tool.
ÒThe development of business in the southern parts of Maine confirms how significant the link is between connectivity in rural areas and economic development,Ó said William Black, MaineÕs deputy public advocate. ÒIf the rural areas of Maine are to participate in the modern day economy, it is important that broadband services be available to those areas.Ó
AxiomÕs work force has grown from three employees at start-up to its current 20, and more are needed. Axiom uses all local labor, which usually means employees have to be hired and trained.
Geel estimates the company so far has spent almost $250,000 on equipment. More towers and transmitters are scheduled to go up this year, at an average rate of about one each month.
The companyÕs challenges, Geel said, are in attracting investment and growing its work force.
ÒWe already know how to bring broadband into peopleÕs living rooms,Ó Geel said. ÒNow we need to fund and replicate the solution that weÕve already spent two years doing.Ó
For instance, only one large-capacity fiber-optic data transmission line extends from Ellsworth into Washington County. Axiom needs to build a backup system for that line Ð a problem underscored last year when a logging truck accident splintered a utility pole and cut off the fiber line, wreaking havoc with business in Jonesport and neighboring towns for a day.
ÒThe gas stations didnÕt work, banks didnÕt work, people couldnÕt use their ATM or debit cards, some people didnÕt even have phone service,Ó Corbett said. ÒBringing (new technology) in isnÕt about surfing Yahoo!. ItÕs about how we function as a society right now.Ó
The companyÕs founders arenÕt banking solely on technology. Last year, they started Axiom Business Center, which offers training, resources and business support services.
Training offerings include a 16-week classroom course covering everything from office skills to dressing properly for a job interview, followed by a four-week internship in area businesses.
The company markets support services Ð shipping and order processing, messaging, accounting and others Ð to small businesses that want to grow but initially are unable to hire extra employees.
Geel said his company sees entering the training market as a way to help bridge the gap between the industries of the past and new technologies.
ÒThere are a lot of seasonal and traditional industry workers who need help because those industries just arenÕt there anymore,Ó Geel said. ÒItÕs the great irony: These are people who need the jobs the most, but theyÕre ill-equipped for the ones that are available.Ó
ÒWe think we have the answer for economic development, because itÕs done from a grass-roots level and itÕs done with passion,Ó Corbett said. ÒGovernment programs are good, but theyÕre not enough. This is the private sector driving reform.Ó
Ð Staff writer Tom Bell contributed to this report.
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