In an age where digital technology is reshaping how we live, work, and communicate, the need for local connection and community has never been stronger. People are looking for ways to feel grounded—to see and support what’s happening around them. At Alabama Lightwave, we recognize that broadband isn’t just about speed—it’s about bringing people together.

We’re a locally owned and operated internet service provider delivering fast, reliable broadband to homes and businesses across Bibb, Chilton, and Choctaw Counties in Alabama. As the CEO of Alabama Lightwave, I’m proud to help lead a team that’s building more than just a network—we’re building infrastructure that supports real, local impact.

We recently launched a new mobile app called Lightwave LINK, designed to deepen the bond between Alabama Lightwave and the communities we serve. This app gives users access to high-definition (1080p) weather camera feeds from towers across our coverage area—offering a real-time, on-the-ground look at local conditions.

At the time of this writing, three camera sites are live and streaming in Centreville, Jemison, and Woodstock. Today, a team is installing a fourth camera in McCulley Hill (near West Blocton), with a fifth planned for Eoline later this afternoon. Our goal is ambitious: 200 camera locations across Alabama over the next two years.

Supporting First Responders & Military Personnel

Access to Lightwave LINK is completely free for all Alabama Lightwave customers—and we’re going a step further. The app is also available at no cost to all active duty military personnel and first responders in our service areas, including:

• Police Officers
• Firefighters
• EMTs and paramedics
• EMA personnel
• Peace officers at local correctional facilities

This ensures that those on the front lines—whether serving their country or their community—can access vital visual information regardless of their internet provider.

Changing The Game For Severe Weather Coverage

We’ve partnered with WBRC FOX6 News in Birmingham and their Chief Meteorologist Wes Wyatt to extend the impact of the Lightwave LINK network. Through this collaboration, the general public also benefits from our camera system. WBRC’s app will include updated thumbnail images from the camera network, and their meteorologists have full 1080p live access for use in broadcasts and severe weather coverage.

This partnership allows critical visual data from our tower cameras to reach thousands of Alabamians during weather emergencies—providing a new layer of public safety and awareness.

Historical Lookout Photo Archival

In addition to live monitoring, the Lightwave LINK camera network will also maintain a historical archive of still images—a visual time capsule capturing local skylines, storms, and seasonal change. It’s a small way we’re preserving the unique character of our communities for future generations.

Lightwave LINK Architecture

The Lightwave LINK app has several components that make everything work.

1. iOS and Android Mobile Application
2. Camera FFMPEG Proxy Server
3. Link Admin Panel
4. Link Station Panel

The Lightwave LINK mobile application was built with Titanium SDK – a mobile development framework targeting both iOS and Android from a single unified JavaScript codebase. Titanium SDK is maintaned by the non-profit TiDev foundation where I serve as chairman – based right here in Alabama.

The camera streams are powered by the open-source FFmpeg library. A dedicated server connects to each camera’s RTSP feed, remuxing the video into HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) format, which enables smooth, browser-based playback without the need for special plugins.

To manage Lightwave LINK users, we developed a custom admin panel for our support staff. It provides an intuitive interface for tasks like adding or removing users, onboarding TV station partners, uploading overlay graphics, and monitoring platform usage—all without digging through log files or complex database queries. Names and phone numbers in the below screenshot changed to protect customer privacy:

We also built a custom software application specifically for TV stations using the Lightwave LINK camera network. It enables fast access to live camera feeds through both a grid view and an interactive 3D map, ensuring that during critical events like tornado outbreaks, meteorologists can immediately identify and display the most relevant camera angles—without wasting time searching manually.

The web components of Lightwave LINK were developed using a combination of PHP and JavaScript, with MariaDB chosen as the backend database for its proven reliability and performance. For hosting, we selected Akamai as our proxy server provider, leveraging the low-latency connection between our network core in Montgomery and Akamai’s Atlanta data center to ensure fast, responsive service.

Planned Feature Updates For Lightwave LINK

We’re actively working on new capabilities to enhance the Lightwave LINK experience, including:

• Air Quality Monitoring: Real-time air quality data sourced from our network of street-level microcells across the coverage area.
• Built-in Live Chat Support: Native in-app chat, eliminating the need for a Facebook Messenger account to reach our support team.
• Time Machine for Camera Feeds: Browse and share archival images from our weather cameras—perfect for looking back at major weather events or scenic moments.
• Community Photo Feed: A social stream featuring user-nominated snapshots from the Lightwave LINK camera network with support for LIKES and COMMENTS just like Facebook or other social networks.
• In App Speedtest: Run speed tests directly within the app using Alabama Lightwave’s on-network SpeedTest servers—providing a smooth and integrated Speedtest experience compared to third-party testing tools.

Software Available For License With Custom Modifications

In addition to leading Alabama Lightwave, I run Centreville Tech—where I design mobile apps, build web platforms, and advise ISPs nationwide on technology and marketing strategies that help them stand out and grow.

Lightwave LINK is available for license with full customization. The platform’s standout feature—live weather cameras powered by your tower network—offers something fiber-only providers can’t easily replicate. Combined with in-app support and local engagement tools, it helps create a customer experience that drives loyalty and word-of-mouth.

If you’re ready to set your ISP apart with features your competitors can’t easily replicate, send me an email and let’s talk.