Those of us who already have high speed access have a tendency to get complacent about broadband issues until the next fiber break happens. But some have been working diligently to find ways to improve our telecommunications infrastructure, not waiting for the next disaster and knowing many areas of the region remain un-served or under served. In one fell swoop, one project may solve many of these issues. The California Public Utilities Commission appears prepared to award over $7 million to a company called Broadband Associates through the California Advanced Services Fund to build a second fiber line from I – 5 to Eureka along the Highway 299 corridor.
Other proposed projects such as the IP Networks was working on in conjunction with PG&E have not come to fruition. That project would have used PG&E towers closer to much less populated Highway 36 corridor and, as far as I know made no provisions for access point along the way. The 299 route is more difficult and more expensive but the project includes access for wireless providers to service communities from Blue Lake to Weaverville.
There has been some strong opinions expressed on the RTC mailing list about the wisdom and viability of this project and why we haven’t heard much about it until just now. I think many of the concerns over transparency and accountability should be address to the CPUC itself.
Yesterday I spoke with Michael Brinskele, CEO of Broadband Associates about their proposal. Michael has had an interest in our region for quite a while. He attended the last Broadband Forum and has been in discussion with CENIC and people from Redwood Coast Connect. Their application for the CASF funds has come after looking carefully at the region’s issues and opportunities.
From our conversation I felt he is quite aware of the challenges such a project holds both for the build itself and its economic viability. He believes Broadband Associates has a strong business plan to make this work. However, since there is still a great deal of planning to do before the February 20 deadline they are purposively not making any public noise about this project in order to not raise expectations or over promise. On the other hand he is pleased there is great interest in this project and has expressed to me an openness to any questions or concerns from people who would like to learn more. Those questions can be addressed to info@broadbandassoc.com.
The Redwood Technology Consortium is trying some new things this year as the result of polling our community and talking to people about what is most useful. Instead of monthly meetings we will be offering a seires of luncheons with panels on variousl topics. The first luncheon will be held February 2, 12-2 PM at the Plaza Grill in Arcata. People from Redwood Coast Connect will be discussing the final report which will be released around that time. Given the comments the project has engendered on the RTC Discussion list and the proposed policy changes at the national, state and local levels regarding telcommunications and broadband, this should prove a lively event. Reservations can be made online.
On March 14, RTC is planning a Tech Conference. This intended to be a more focused event that the old Tech Expo RTC used to host each year. The focus will be on skill development and showcasing tech innovations. While a few things such as at least for hours of training in online marketing, RTC is currently accepting proposals for presentations. This is a chance for local technology experts to share innovations and expertise in a variety of areas. The First Annual Northcoast Technology Conference will be held at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center.
Now that all the fun of guessing who will be the v.p. selections for each candidate is over, what do we have left? We have the philosophy and policy of the men at the top of the tickets for each party. We are not going to learn a whole lot from the Republican convention that we don’t already know, so I thought it was about time to address what we do know now of the tech policies of the two candidates. Barack Obama has had a policy statement on his web site since January, And while it’s not perfect, it stands in stark contrast to John McCain’s which was only released on August 14th. You may not think a candidate’s policy statements on technology is crucial in making a decision on whom to vote for. But as tech is central to our economy our freedom of speech and so much more, it is well worth a look at who has a clear vision for the future.
I don’t have the resources or experience to go in to a detailed analysis of the two policies. But I can refer you to Lawrence Lessig, law professor at Stanford and longstanding advocate for freedom and development of the Internet and telecommunications. He’s also famous for his slide shows. You might want to click the little full screen mode button to get the full effect of the graphics and charts.
Much coverage in the press has and will appear over Broadband Forum IV, but just in case they miss something herewith are notes provided by Larry Goldberg with a few minor edits from me. I understand at some point PowerPoint presentations will be posted on the Redwood Coast Connect web site. BTW, this was an excellent event. Much thanks are due to Connie Stewart and Patty Berg’s office, and to Redwood Coast Rural Action which foot the bill.
Opening Remarks - Rollin Richmond – RCRA
Governor’s broadband task force – findings released
Community Service District’s have been approved to provide broadband
Need to focus on providing “last mile†broadband to rural California
Peter Pennekamp, Humboldt Area Foundation
Broadband is essential to commerce, education and community networking
Too many people are still on dial-up; we need to correct this
Governor signed law (despite telephone co. objections) to allow community services provide broadband service
County Updates:
Del Norte – Jeannine
5 Gb pipe from Charter
cable modem up to 16 Mb service
competitive telephone service soon
plan to extend pipe to Eureka through Klamath & Orick
redundancy with S. Oregon
Trinity co. – Barbara
Working on cell tower project – 42 sites planned
No broadband is currently available in Trinity
Weaverville may have fiber soon
Getting CalTrans to include fiber in all new highway projects
Customer survey by Community Services Dist. (28% don’t own computer & most who do are on dial-up currently)
Soliciting proposals for technology study (last mile)
Humboldt Co. – Amy Nelson
Office of Emergency Services – working on basic communications infrastructure
National incident management training
Mendocino Co.
Broadband issues have been a concern for over 18 years
Digital California & CNIC have provided high-speed service to schools
Rural tele-medicine project
Tower microwave system installed
Yurok tribe – Paul Romero
Working on microwave path from Crescent City (HUD grant) will complete project
Redwood Cost Connect Project Update
Project overview – Steve Carp, Project Manager
Mapping broadband usage and technology in four Northcoast counties
Funding from Ca. Emerging Technology Fund, HAF, RREDC, CDBG and others
Project scope – four counties (Del Norte, Humboldt, Trinity and Mendocino) which represent an area bigger than 4 states in U.S.
Surveys & interviews conducted to determine a) level of interest in broadband, b) price points & c) broadband availability
Aggregating demand for small rural areas
Self-selecting surveys coupled with telephone surveys
Over 1,100 responses were received over region – cross-section of all areas
Selected results:
46% of residential have broadband/ 33% rely on dial-up
64% felt broadband was critical
60% of respondents say they’re willing to pay more
Most would pay at least $30-40/mo.
Although broadband access is high, only 50% are satisfied (downtime, cost of service & competition)
Only 54% of businesses are satisfied with current broadband
73% of business would pay up to $75/mo. for broadband
Helping one household at a time
Educating people about importance of broadband
Community meetings – Tina Nerat
Mendocino had high turn-out (90 people turned out to Ft. Bragg meeting)
People who attended were cross-section of community
In Willow Creek it was mostly Seniors attending
Telecom providers have really expanded
Study gave good opportunity to chart actual broadband deployment
Wireless is a new entry into the market and is providing last-mile access
CPUC CASF fund – only telecom providers can apply
Actual applications have not been made public – we don’t know who eventually applied
Backhaul (middle mile) – redundancy is major issue
More diversity of choices needed (more competition)
Alternative scenarios – need “ladders with rungs†for redundancy
60% of rural communities are unserved or under-served
Need for anchor tenants for broadband
Too many small businesses, not enough large “anchorsâ€
Middle mile is greatest barrier to last-mile solutions
Will probably require subsidies for middle-mile to overcome problem
SB1191 – community service districts can provide broadband
No clear road to encourage investment – difficult to make business case
Fed/state subsidies need to be revamped for rural areas like the Redwood Coast
JPA could be good way to create public/private partnership to solve backhaul issues and right-of-way issues (first JPA between Humboldt and Trinity Co. for fiber)
CASF will influence next efforts
Broadband awareness/education
Local leadership (alliances) are necessary to move this forward
Determine how to keep maps up to date
Business case needs to be made for secondary alternate routes
Trinity Co. applied for separate funding from CPUC and are now putting in their own towers
Keynote Speaker – Susan Waters, Ca. Emerging Technologies Fund
“Rural is on California’s radarâ€
Relationship building carries project
The RCC study is a ground-breaking initiative to build community support for broadband
No one solution fits all (and solves all problems)
Understand resources and assets available to leverage
It takes local initiative to get things done
Second round of CASF coming soon
Increasing broadband access in our Region – Local providers (General comments: All offering wider coverage. Many seemed to have issues with government policies and permitting that slows progress and increases costs).
Velocity Technology (couldn’t be here but Tina gave update)
101 NetLink (offers redundancy already, but have had few takers)
Cascadia Wireless
SuddenLink
Broadband Associates (builders of fiber networks)
Mendocino Community Network
AT&T
CENIC
Issues discussed:
Issues with National Parks service
2000 dial-up customers today in Mendocino
CENIC recognized problems with infrastructure
NetLink just lit up 200 Mb channel
Market for redundancy is questionable (101 Netlink)
Lost Coast Communications (LCC) announced redundant fiber project with partner (bringing fiber in from Cottonwood). LCC project is going along PG&E right-of-way and is planned to be completed by late 1st quarter ’09. They are in negotiations with SuddenLink to provide redundant bandwidth. Large commercial and institutional clients are primary wholesale market. (see this post).
Permit Panel – the best way to work together
Issues:
CEQA – many responsible agencies
Lead agencies – cities, counties and CalTrans
Dept. of Fish & Game – makes comments and reviews EIRs
Coastal Commission – reputation is both good and bad for good reason
Some forms of development are exempt from permits
Several Federal wildlife protection jurisdictions and levels of regulations
Get projects submitted as soon as possible
Governor has issued mandate to streamline broadband approval process
Encroachment permit has been revised
Conflict resolution process has been created
CalTrans utilizes fiber extensively within their own department
Lots of access for future utility providers within new CalTrans roads (e.g. at Confusion Hill they installed 6†& 12†conduits
last mile service is still critical – wireless may be the best solution
“Redundancy†is a misused word – alternate paths is more appropriate
Access Humboldt: broadband policy project – inform public policy for advocacy for localism (research for broadband policy for community needs)
Susan Estrada – what’s happening in the treetops at the Federal Level
The reality – attracting investment in rural areas is nearly impossible
Ubiquitous infrastructure is only possible with urban density
Everyone is talking broadband now on the political level – something is going to change
Today’s federal subsidies are primarily geared towards wired telephone service
Current subsidies: Universal service fund
No national broadband policy
Fixed and mobile wireless will be the ultimate rural last mile solution
What’s the definition of broadband? (“instant gratification�)
The definition of broadband is constantly changing
We need a useful Universal Service for broadband
Other financial incentives for encouraging high cost build-out
A deep understanding of the nature of rural problems
Getting there from here:
Grassroots organizing (local advocates) and treetops (elected officials) need to cooperate for success
Pressure your local federal elected officials to work on solution
]Pressure your local state elected officials to pressure the state to work with the federal government on solutions
Provide the data that will allow bureaucrats to understand the needs, the barriers, the solutions in your communities. Document the stories. Share the stories. YouTube the stories.
Follow the money!
Sean McLaughlin – what’s happening in the treetops at the Federal Level
Federal policy is convoluted and irrational
Comparison of speed and price – “market failure†of U.S. broadband industry
“You will need and you are entitled to broadband Internet “ – FCC commissioner Cox
“There’s a social obligation that everyone should participate in broadband infrastructureâ€
“Everyone has the right to free expression of opinion and seek and receive any media regardless of frontiersâ€
Is broadband a commodity or a right?
Cable modem service was initially regulated by local government with cable franchises
No regulatory structure around information services
Pre-emption of local government was attempted on Federal level and failed
Marketplace is not going to fix itself
Rights of way and spectrum licenses are two main ways of regulation for broadband
Spectrum – relocation about analog TV to digital spectrum (700 Mhz blocks were up for grabs)
Is your ability to communicate a privilege? A commodity?
Next steps – where do we go from here?
Task force – form working groups to meet regularly and address regional and community issues
Address barriers to entry – educational outreach
The next Broadband Forum is set for Auguts 21 at Fortuna’s River Lodge, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM. According to a email from Connie Stewart, the theme for this year is “Rural Connections: From Grassroots to Treetops: Getting Broadband to All of the Redwood Coast“.
The keynote speaker will be Sunne McPeak, President and Chief Executive Officer, California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF). The Forum will also feature presentations from “leaders in technology development.” The email continues:
WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
Recent events have demonstrated the critical role that
telecommunications plays in the economic and social health of
our community. There’s money on the table and political
will to bring broadband to rural communities like ours, but we
need to develop strong public/private partnerships and work
together to make this happen! In addition, local participants
will receive critical education on statewide and national policy
and funding trends that will affect our broadband future.
The invitation to attend is for “…elected officials, city managers, county administrators, economic and community development professionals, tribal representatives, and community leaders from Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino and Trinity Counties.” So if you are, or think you are, one of those AND you want a free lunch, you can contact Connie Stewart or call (707) 445-7014 to reserve a spot.
After months of gather and analyzing data, Redwood Coast Connect is starting to share its findings and plans. Tomorrow they will make a presentation to the Board of Supervisors. RCC has been developing information on the best ways to get broadband deployed to rural areas of the region.
If you can’t make that meeting, a similar presentation will be offered at the Redwood Technology Consortium’s open meeting this Thursday, 5:30 PM at the Humboldt Area Foundation Conference room.
