McKean County is part of the PA WILDS region with vast timber, oil and natural gas resources and lots of rural and remote residential locations. When COVID forced people to operate from home, the County started an aggressive plan to bring broadband to underserved residents. In a span of months ConxxNE stood up a six-tower fixed wireless network to provide a first phase of service – with most of the locations anchored around existing 911 towers. ConxxNE also integrated service from a rural stainless steel water tank using rare earth magnets to fix RF gear without penetrating the tank. The project also staged a ballasted monopole at a local county club which can remain in place as a permanent structure or be moved as local demand changes.

Phases two and three involve the construction of additional monopoles and an innovative restoration of a former TV tower shown below to add broadband in isolated areas.