“We intentionally came to the mountains to help the folks who are in hard-to-access
locations,” says owner
By Lynn Conrad
Progress Marketing
Consultant
On the information highway, there can be traffic jams, slow-moving data and folks in the wrong lane, figuratively speaking.
Most residential internet users connect to the World Wide Web via cable or digital subscriber line (DSL). Fiber-optic lines, while fast and reliable, are not very common, especially in rural areas, due to the cost of delivery. Some folks connect to the internet via satellite, while others use a hotspot with their mobile phones.
ICON Internet, a business located in Ball Ground, is offering internet access via radio waves. Carley and David Solomon, owners, worked around the country designing fiber networks for other internet providers before settling in Cherokee County. The Solomons became part owners of ICON Engineering and launched ICON Internet, a subsidiary, in 2025.
“Prior to ICON Engineering, we were on the road building networks, often in smaller served locations. I decided one day that I wanted to build my own internet network,” David said.
Ironically, in 2015, when the couple moved to Ball Ground, they had no internet option at their home. Carley said it just didn’t occur to ask who the local internet provider was when they purchased the home.
A newer way to deliver the internet is via radio waves. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates and manages the radio waves in the U.S. There are several bands within the auspices of the FCC and the bands operate at different frequencies.
For instance, High Frequency (HF) is used in shortwave and amateur radio, as well as in air traffic control. Very High Frequency (VHF) is used for FM radio, TV channels, and police and fire radio communications. Then, there is the Super High Frequency (SHF), which is used for 5G cellular and Wi-Fi, among other uses.
ICON Internet operates in the SHF frequency range, and the speeds are comparable to fiber-optic speeds, according to David.
“Either burying a line or running a line up a pole in areas with steep grades or in rocky terrain can be very expensive, almost cost-prohibitive. So, using the radio wave wireless technology allows ICON to reach those hard-to-access and underserved areas,” Carley stated.
And internet access for hard-to-reach places is not just for home browsing. “A local farmer wanted security cameras on their grounds because cows were getting out, but was unable to install them because they had no internet access. We were able to help the farmer because we are wireless,” Carley shared.
While 50 megabits per second (mbps or meg) is a common basic household speed, ICON can provide for 100 megs to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps or gig).
A gig is 10 times faster than a meg, which is enough for most households or businesses.
An antenna is required to receive the signal from the tower, and it is usually placed on the roof or at a high point on the property to ensure an unobstructed line of sight.
These antennas do not resemble the old-fashioned rabbit ears of yesteryear; they are smaller and subtler. The size and shape of the antenna vary depending on the consumer’s needs.
David says the towers can deliver a solid signal for up to twenty miles.
David is also quick to point out that the consumer leases the antenna, so ICON is responsible for maintaining and servicing the equipment. “My vision revolves around the people who have been left behind with technology. We can compete closer to Atlanta,
but we intentionally came to the mountains to help the folks who are in hard-to-access locations,” David said.
