June 16, 2022
An Open Letter to the Residents of Bayside Estates,
Recently we were notified that there will be a proxy vote in the next month or two on the future direction of Internet delivery for the community Without explanation or notification from the Board of Directors or Technology Committee, we learned that the vote will be for either Fiber or nothing at all. We are dismayed that the WIFI Corporation is not planned to be an option on this vote, since last season we had over 400 homes connected to the existing network.
We are the first to admit that the current network does not provide the coverage or capabilities it could. To understand the current situation, we would like to share a brief history of our partnership. When Perfect WiFI was awarded the contract to support and expand the existing network of 137 users, it was agreed that the current network was for basic web surfing and email usage. The Internet Committee decided that if some wanted to conduct any business or had more demanding needs, they should get an outside provider. The Internet Committee agreed to a 3 Mbps per household speed contractual commitment.
A couple of years later, the contract came up for renewal. The Internet committee had been disbanded. We were told to work with JR to renew the contract. During this second iteration, we explained to JR that we needed to increase the performance and coverage of the overall network, which would require a new contract, vs. an extension of the existing agreement with a nominal price increase. The Manager chose to move forward with an attachment. He asked us to wait until the end of 2022 before proposing an upgrade. In some areas of the community, we could not stay and put in high-speed equipment at our own expense. The network uses the original equipment in many locations, providing service in line with the original contract. We continued to ask yearly to upgrade the contract, with the same response; wait until 2022.
We also acknowledge that scheduling appointments was challenging during the Covid year(s) and before. Within our new proposal, we have committed that if anyone schedules an appointment before 11 AM, we will be there the same day. Otherwise, it will be done the following day.
Five residents sent us pictures of a comparison chart created by the Tech Committee that contained inaccurate and biased information regarding our proposal/contract.
- The first is the aforementioned Service Level Agreement. It is not “respond promptly to any reasonable request for the service provider” as their chart listed. Our Service level provided in the contract supplied would be the same day service if notified by 11 AM; otherwise, the following day.
- Speed is not capped at 25 Mbps. We would offer a 75 Mbps and 100 Mbps option. Additionally, the new equipment (Antennas) would be capable of delivering 1G (1,000Mbps) at both download and upload speeds for future growth.
- The TERM can be 5 or 6 years.
- Lastly, was the cost matrix presented. We initially proposed $14.00 per month. Then the committee asked about antenna pricing, so we submitted an $18.00 per month if everyone needed a new antenna. We know this is unrealistic, and of the 400+ users connected this season, the majority have antennas that would not cost anything to replace. And if there were any charges for the minority of users, it would be a one-time charge at our cost.
Making this correction to their chart would be:
| TWC | Blue Stream | MORE | Total TWC | Total(s) Fiber | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COST | |||||
| Year 1 | $98,280.00 | $109,582.00 | $11,302.00 | ||
| Year 2 | $98,280.00 | $217,269.00 | $118,989.00 | ||
| Year 3 | $98,280.00 | $221,481.00 | $123,201.00 | ||
| Year 4 | $98,280.00 | $225,693.00 | $127,413.00 | ||
| Year 5 | $98,280.00 | $229,905.00 | $131,625.00 | ||
| Year 6 | $98,280.00 | $234,117.00 | $135,837.00 | $589,680.00 | $1,238,047.00 |
| Year 7 | $238,329.00 | ||||
| Year 8 | $242,541.00 | $1,718,917.00 |
We know that we can meet both the speed and Service Level agreements that we offer and are willing to stand by these in our contract(s). Our submitted contract provided a substantial breach & termination clause. Should we not meet our commitment at any time and do not remedy this breach within 30 days, at Bayside Estate’s discretion, our contract could be terminated again at any time.
The WiFi Corporation can deliver the speed you need without digging up your streets, burrowing under your driveways, and putting vault maintenance hole covers in your front or backyards.
Based on the calls we have received over the last 24 hours, it is apparent that this decision to exclude The WiFi Corporation from the proxy vote has stoked the fear; that if you do not vote for Fiber, you will lose your current Internet connection from the WiFI Corporation. This will not be the case.
Finally, our commitment is to the Bayside Estates community. If you vote to do nothing, if desired, we will still offer Internet Access to the community at an incredible individual rate of $16 to $18/month for 25 Mbps service with upgrade options for higher speed. The rate will be lower if the Board decides to make a bulk contract.
You have welcomed us into your homes and given us water, food, and more. We sincerely consider many residents part of our family. We all thank you for being a client and looking forward to many more years.
The WiFi Corporation
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Brian Coughanour - President Chris Cameron - COO
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Marcus Taylor - Regional Director Brandon Mace - Area Engineer, SWF
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Keith Hudson - Sr. Area Engineer, SWF