Startup at MSU Uses Drones to Boost Rural Internet Access
Conor Ferguson, a recent graduate of the Mississippi State University Engineering Department has lead a team of students and alumni to create a company that can help improve internet reception in rural areas through out the world. They named their company WISPr Systems, which is now valued at $2 million. WISPr Systems offers wireless connectivity and internet access via drones.
Today, about half of earth’s population still lives without access to the internet. In certain areas, running fiber optic cables for internet access is not economically feasible. However, WISPr Systems could help make it easy to enable internet access in such areas. The team at WISPr Systems took advantage of Mississippi State University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach program which offered resources and a network of business experts to guide and grow their start-up. Ferguson and his associates leveraged these resources to get the company off the ground. They built advanced automated drones for wireless internet connections.
Until recently, when internet service providers needed to install antennas for customers, several technicians have to physically try to get the best placement for the best signal. This normally includes climbing onto roofs or using bucket trucks to place the antennas high up. Antenna installation has always been dangerous for installers and many times involves trial and error to get the best positioning to receive the best signal.
Now, WISPr using it’s uniquely engineered drones with their proprietary software will solve this issue. Ferguson who is the 27-year-old CEO and president of the company stated that these drones will help solve the issue and provide internet access to people no matter how rural they are. He explained that the drones will save companies 20% off operational costs, without running the risk of people loosing their jobs.
The MSU entrepreneurship group believe that WISPr is one of the most successful student led startups since the inception of the program. Director of the program, Eric Hill stated that because the program involves the use of drones, (which is one of MSU’s research focus areas), it makes it one of their top startups. The company is now creating actual jobs in Mississippi and the company expects to grow into more areas.
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