01/26/2025
It is with great regret that we must inform you that Tri-Canadian Communications (TCC) will be ceasing operations as of February 28, 2025. Despite our best efforts to keep this essential service running, it has become increasingly difficult due to a lack of support from the government and outside investment. The financial burden of maintaining the network has become too great for the founder Steve VanDusen, who has been keeping the Network up and running at a loss since its inception. With increasing fees and insurance costs, the continuation of the service is no longer viable.
TCC began as a homegrown service in mid-2019, allowing the Milford Development Center to connect to the world at broadband speeds. This enabled the development of products such as Remote Power System, sensorless Solar Tracking systems, and EV vehicle development. The 100% off-grid, solar-fed development center relied on the wireless Internet to provide a truly independent work/live environment that has become increasingly important in our growing technological society.
When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, TCC was born out of Steve's deep connection to the County and his desire to provide others with the same high-speed service. Children had to continue their education online and if not for TCC, this wouldn’t be possible for many due to the lack of rural connectivity. In addition, there were professionals such as doctors, therapists, and other providers that were stuck at home unable to help their patients, he stepped up to expand his personal network to allow them the same connectivity. Since profit was not the motivating force behind this service, it was provided freely to those professionals for the first year. Unfortunately, government funds intended for upstart companies looking to start WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) were instead given to larger providers that did not invest in rural infrastructure.
Since its inception, TCC has been entirely financed by Steve without any intention of making a profit. However, the cost of altruism has proven too high to sustain. We would like to close this message with our heartfelt thanks to all the individuals in the County who allowed us to install our equipment on their land and buildings.
