Vicidiem can broaden your bandwidth, sans utility fee | Orem News

OREM -- The No. 1 amenity advertised at the Ventana Apartments near Utah Valley University is free high-speed Internet.

That isn't because of Google Fiber, UTOPIA/Macquarie, Comcast or any other well-known Internet provider. It is because of a new company, Vicidiem, and its patent-pending product, the Layer Exempt Aggregation Device, or LEAD.

Vicidiem, which means "conquer tomorrow today," has done just that with a device that can change the way bandwidth is managed within metro-Ethernet networks. 

More clearly put by Joe Brown, a local Vicidiem representative, "We provide end-to-end multimedia services. In these instances they act as an ISP. We turn up Internet and manage the network. We can also turn up video and phone services if the owner desires."

In other words, individuals can decide how much high-speed bandwidth they will need at any given time, request that speed and, when they are done, the faster speed goes back to a technology pot or cloud.

"We give and take bandwidth based on user request," Brown said. "The cost varies on how individual users' contracts are structured. Demand for bandwidth will just keep going up."

For large apartment complexes, hotels, universities and businesses where demand for high-speed Internet is high, the idea is enticing.

Brad Hixson, owner of Ventana Apartments, couldn't be happier with Vicidiem and LEAD.

"UTOPIA had fiber-optic pipeline to us for 12 years and couldn't do it for us," Hixson said. "Vicidiem solved my only problem at the apartments. There is a heavy, heavy need for bandwidth. That's the world these students live in."

Hixson said for the number of apartments he must service, Vicidiem was the only solution he has found, and it was cost-effective.

"I'm not an Internet guy. I tried three or four different companies and they couldn't do it," Hixson said. "I'm a huge advocate of this company. I've had the service for about a year. I'm thrilled with their service."

Vicidiem was started by four friends: Brown, Craig Hutchinson, who developed LEAD, Paul Christensen and Aaron Owen. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, and has Utah locations in Orem and Fort Union.

Using Ventana as an example, Brown said, "We increased their speed from 2mbps (megabits per second) to 90 mbps, utilizing the same 200-mbps connection in a 430-tenant student housing unit."

For the average person, that means the ability to get the LEAD attached to fiber or cable, and personally request when a higher speed is needed. Users don't pay on a utility bill, and those who don't want it don't have to have it.

Brown said the new 360 Place (formerly Midtown Village) will be using the Vicidiem LEAD product as the complex is built out. Hotels, apartments and other individual businesses are catching on. The Ivory Ridge Apartments in Lehi will also be using LEAD.

While the first customers have been centered on commercial and educational uses and apartments, the LEAD will soon be available for individuals.

Brown said Vicidiem has been watching the UTOPIA/Macquarie situation with great interest.

"Fiber infrastructure is the right infrastructure," Brown said. "UTOPIA could utilize our new technology to solve problems. Fiber optics are preferred, but it doesn't matter who provides the fiber, our technology can sit on top of it.

"We will be rolling out with endless potential, and our users won't be getting that 'spinning wheel of death' as they wait on their computers."

For more information visit jbrown@vicidiem.com.