Archive for April, 2006

The Middle Mile Ownership

The Ownersip Model: a carrier’s carrier

- Focuos on selling to the communciation companies, not individuals
- Connect to underserved Communities
- Connect to large national carriers for transit

Characterisitics of a Carrier’s Carrier

Deep understanding of industry
Solid financial resources
In it for the long haul

What is the structure?

For profit, privately-owned company
Possibly with sme unique goals to ensure that the community is served

Middle Mile Operational Model

Provision to carriers (ie to cox, verizon, at&t and other ISPs)

Outsource the Operations and maintentnance
Keep as much staff local as possible
Management
Sales

Financials: Still working on details

Buried and aerial routes being determined
East to Redding following 299. I thought we were looking at Hwy 36
this connects to at&t fiber and the Level 3 fiber that runs north south in central California
Build a co-location center in Eureka where all carriers could install equipment

Q & A
What does Del Norte do?
A: Multi-county agency to approach state to cut through the crap: Exactly my suggestion. RCRA (web site coming) could facilitate this.

Is back-up at the same level of existing service realistic?
A: This what users are telling her. Not home users. Industrial level users. Are the willing to pay for it? It appears so.

Has she identified a company that could pull this off?
A: No. But she has sketched the characteristics of such a company.
What is the capitalization required?
A: Initial cost $10-$20 million. Then ongoing cost.

Susan Estrada Continues:

The North Coast Region

Mergers and Buy Outs
Verizon bought MCI
SBC bought AT&T and changed its name to at&t
Cebridge is buying Cox (and is changing its name)
Level 3 bought WiTel

With the mergers and the companies getting larger, our area appears smaller in their corporate maps. Exception is Cebridge which specializes in rural areas. Humboldt will become a bigger presence. One of their largest areas. This is a good thing.

Our Region is Profoundly impacted by extrnal forces

Caltrans
Especially scenic route fees (PG&E right of ways as alternative also carry exorbitant fees)
Coastal Commission
CPUC/FCC - as fiber crosses regional and state boundaries red tape and fees mount
Federal Lands
State Lands
Geology and weather

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Who’s using the single fiber line on the North Coast?

Communications Companies: Cox, Frontier, Verizon, etc.
Education: HSU, CR, Co. Offices of Ed.
County and City Govt.
State Govt.: State Parks, Wildlife, and Fiseries, Forestry, CHP, Caltrans, etc.
Industry: Manufacturing, Services, tourism, Media
Federal Govt.: National Park, National Weather Service, Coast Guard, etc.

What happens when the line fails?

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The Middle Mile

(IE what the fiber line connecting to the larger Internet is called)

The Middle Mile ensures the First Mile (your connection at home, business, school):
Telemedicine
Education
Entertainment (we don’t like to admit it, but this is a huge economic force. People mag. earns 1billion/year)
E-jobs (live/work anywhere)

“Are you going to risk your life or financial well-being on an extended outage?”

So, phew! Got past the presentation. Jeff got his check and we are off and running. The first ‘real’ speaker is Susan Estrada. She will be delivering the long awaited findings on her report on Redundant Fiber Optic Business Case. She is President of First Mile USA.

US is 16th in the world in use of broadband. Why?

No U.S. broadband policy.
No understanding of what broadband means
No understanding of how to get 10 GB to every home, school and business
Watch other countries with a polich such as South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom

Who are the Players?

users
telcos
cabel cos
other companies
Municipalities
State and Federal Govt.

Users should be driving this cart.

Government needs to hear from the users and businesses.

I am at Fortuna’s River Lodge and the Broadband Forum is about to begin. Wireless appears to be working. Looks like a great turnout. There are folks here from Del Norte, Mendocino and Humboldt County. Unfortunately, it looks like no one from Trinity. (edit: I wrote this before someone from Triinity was identified, so that’s good).
Rollin Richmond will kick off the event. And them ME! I have the distinct honor of presenting RTC’s $1,000 scholarship to an Arcata High School student, Jeff Friedman.

I’m going to take my Powerbook to the Broadband Forum tomorrow. I understand Fortuna’s Riverlodge has wireless access. i plan to test it. And if I can, I will write about the event as it unfolds.