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WGTA has been involved with the following innovative projects:COMM-Net - Carroll County Community Network (COMM-Net) was WGTA's first major project designed to promote advanced telecommunications in the area. Begun in the fall of 1994, the first phase provided Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) telephone lines, desktop videoconferencing, and Internet access to Carroll County. Cruising the Information Highway - In October of 1994 WGTA was honored with an invitation to participate in the "Cruising the Information Highway" exhibition held at the Atlanta Civic Center. The invitation came as a result of publicity over WGTA's COMM-Net project, which had been announced in August. TechKnology '95 - Sponored by BellSouth, Technology '95 was an exhibit of cutting-edge telecommunications technology around Georgia. WGTA participated in the July, 1995 event by having an exhibit that demonstrated the technology and applications of the recently concluded COMM-Net project. Habitat for Humanity Donation - In June of 1996, WGTA came to the aid of Habitat for Humanity in Americus by providing 1000 feet of copper and fiber optic cable to allow Habitat to connect to of its buidlings together and save money on phone line costs. Fitel-Lucent provided the needed fiber optic cable and Southwire Company provided funding to donate the copper telecommunications cable as well as delivered the cable. For the full story, read our news release about the project. Canine Vision PCs & Web Site - In February of 1999, WGTA answered a call for help from Canine Vision, a non-profit training facility for seeing-eye dogs. Canine Vision needed computers for book keeping and e-mail correspondence. WGTA responded by refurbishing three computers left over from the COMM-Net project. Several WGTA members donated memory chips, CD-ROMs, sound cards and software to bring the PCs up to date. Other WGTA members volunteered their time to to set up the computers and a small network to allow the PCs to share files and printers. Canine Vision also needed a Web site and e-mail access, both of which were provided through the generosity of WGTA members. Southern Innovator's Fair - WGTA was selected to represent Georgia at the 1999 and 2000 Southern Innovator's Fair. As a showcase of regional solutions, the Southern Innovator's Fair featured exhibits and information from a number of model telecommunications programs that address issues in education, communities, government services, and commerce. Sponsored by the Southern Growth Policies Board (SGPB), the fair is held in conjunction with the SGPB Annual Meeting and Conference on telecommunications and economic development. NetDay 2000 - In June of 1999, a joint effort between WGTA and ITC^DeltaCom provided computer network cabling for Sand Hill Elementary School in Carroll County. ITC^DeltaCom provided all cabling materials and an army of 25 employees working together with the principal, Martha Shade, school system technical staff, WGTA members, and community volunteers to wire the school in a single day. Telecom Network Study - In 1999 WGTA initiated a $22,000 comprehensive telecommunications network study which assessed the current and future telecommunications needs of the region. Based on those findings, a network design and economic analysis has been developed for an network that will ultimately span Carroll, Haralson and Heard Counties. Access Network Communications - Access Network Communications, Inc. (ANC) is a subscriber-owned open-access broadband telecom cooperative modeled after the rural electric cooperatives. It is being formed in a joint effort between Carroll Electric Membership Corporation and the West Georgia Telecommunications Alliance (WGTA). The mission of ANC is to promote economic and educational development in West Georgia by deploying advanced digital broadband telecommunications technology throughout the region. The fiber optic network will serve communities in Carroll, Haralson and Heard counties.