Timeline of MAIN's Major Accomplishments (1996-2012)

• 1996: MAIN brings Internet access with a local phone call to 12 mountain counties, including public Internet access at more than 30 public libraries and community centers. Expands to 14 counties in 1999.
• 1996-2000: MAIN leads effort to create the first public, education, and government (PEG) access TV channels in Western North Carolina.
• 1999-2003: MAIN pioneers vision for nonprofit “middle-mile” fiber-optic infrastructure for WNC to ensure affordable bandwidth for government, industry, and “last-mile” ISP’s.
• 2000-2003: MAIN serves on NC Rural Access Authority to promote broadband access in rural and other underserved communities in North Carolina.
• 2003: MAIN launches its wireless broadband network in Madison, Yancey, Mitchell, and Buncombe counties.
• 2003: MAIN launches its low-power FM radio station (MAIN-FM) to provide non-corporate news and information to Asheville and WNC, including Democracy Now!
• 2006: MAIN leads effort in the state legislature to amend the Video Franchise Act to preserve and expand funding for PEG access TV channels in North Carolina.
• 2008: MAIN represents rural communities in unanimous vote at the FCC to approve unlicensed use of the “TV white spaces” (TVWS) for expanded wireless broadband service in rural and other underserved areas.
• 2010: MAIN helps pass the Local Community Radio Act to remove restrictions on low-power FM radio stations, paving the way for a much-improved broadcast signal for MAIN-FM.
• 2012: MAIN launches $50,000 campaign for strategic planning, executive director search, and initial deployment of new TVWS technology.