<div dir="ltr"><div>Well said. Having run a tiny ISP (frame relay, literally into a home's living room, where the server was), filed the quarterly 941 (and made sure state folks were happy, too), and served on various Ethernet committees, Mike is absolutely right. Wireless has an important role to play. Tough in the East with worse weather, lots of local hills and LEAVES, but still the only business case in many situations. The East has a LOT of telephone poles, though, and often a fiber deploy on poles can pay with 8 or 10 paying customers per mile (much of rural areas like VT can offer tempting targets, but much of NM can't). At least a public entity or small LEC can make a business case. Wall Street needs 20-30 customers a mile.</div><div><br></div><div>And my financial models for FTTH builds (some aimed at investors, some for monthly case flow) are free and in the public domain on the <a href="http://bbcmag.com">bbcmag.com</a> site. </div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br clear="all"><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><br><br>Steve Ross<br>Editor-at-Large, Broadband Communities Magazine (<a href="http://www.bbcmag.com" target="_blank">www.bbcmag.com</a>)<br>201-456-5933 mobile, 781-284-8810 landline<br>707-WOW-SSR3 (707-969-7773) Google Voice<br>editorsteve (Facebook, LinkedIn)<br>editorsteve1 (Twitter)<br><a href="mailto:steve@bbcmag.com" target="_blank">steve@bbcmag.com</a><br><a href="mailto:editorsteve@gmail.com" target="_blank">editorsteve@gmail.com</a><br><br></div></div></div></div>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Sun, Apr 12, 2015 at 11:18 PM, Michael Harris <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:mharris@visgence.com" target="_blank">mharris@visgence.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid">Other than John Brown and John Badal<br><span style="font-size:12.8px">Who else on this list has ever run an isp or even knows what a payroll is and what a 941 is? Who on this list knows anything about routing a packet</span></blockquote><div style="font-size:12.8px"><br></div></span><div style="font-size:12.8px">Myself, for one, and a few other lurkers on this list, for sure! </div><div style="font-size:12.8px"><br></div><div><span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;font-size:12.8px;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid">People who are actually doing something should be the people solicited for ideas/advice. </blockquote><div style="font-size:12.8px"><br></div></span><div style="font-size:12.8px">Agreed. So here are my ideas:</div><div style="font-size:12.8px"><br></div><div style="font-size:12.8px">Adding carrier-neutral fiber ducts into rights-of-way is a good idea. At the very least, I don't see how it can hurt. The cost of empty conduit is almost nothing, so might as well put it in while the hole is open. I recall that NMSU had a similar policy... I know they have some people lurking on this list, so maybe they can comment on its effectiveness.</div><div style="font-size:12.8px"><br></div><div style="font-size:12.8px">I've worked in the local Qwest engineering office and have been in the WISP industry for a few years, so here are some of my thoughts:</div><div><ul><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">It is hard to build business cases in rural and even some "urban" areas. Small WISPS are more nimble and willing to do it than big telcos, but have their own unique risk models.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">"Minimum bandwidth" requirements are well intentioned, but I don't see how they could possibly be enforceable.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">Related - </span><span style="font-size:12.8px">Drawing an accurate broadband map is going to be an interesting challenge!</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">The big carriers (Cogent, Century Link, Level3, Comcast) are reluctant and slow to do construction, even in "metro" areas. </span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">Obtaining ROW can be difficult</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">Digging is expensive</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">"First-mile" wireless is a good solution in a lot of cases, but it is not magic</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">A small WISP or independent ISP can get more mileage out of $100k than a big telco can with $1M</span></li><li><span style="font-size:12.8px">Providing more information/subsidized assistance (i.e. grant writing consultants) to regional ISPs to apply for federal, state grants would be very helpful</span></li></ul><span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><div>-- <br><div><div>Michael Harris</div><div>--</div><div>President, Visgence Inc.</div><div><font color="#000000"><a href="http://www.visgence.com/" target="_blank">www.visgence.com</a></font></div><div><br></div></div></div></font></span></div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div class="h5">On Sat, Apr 11, 2015 at 3:20 PM, Steven Grabiel <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:sgrabiel@higherspeed.net" target="_blank">sgrabiel@higherspeed.net</a>></span> wrote:<br></div></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;padding-left:1ex;border-left-color:rgb(204,204,204);border-left-width:1px;border-left-style:solid"><div><div class="h5"><div><div>Other than John Brown and John Badal</div><div>Who else on this list has ever run an isp or even knows what a payroll is and what a 941 is? Who on this list knows anything about routing a packet?</div><div><br></div><div> Will bureaucrats be receiving advice from someone who has never dangled from a tower or does not know how to terminate category 6 cable, or someone who can not interpret a p&l or balance sheet? People who are actually doing something should be the people solicited for ideas/advice. </div><div><br></div><div>This is how atlas shrugged.</div><div><br></div><div>Steven Grabiel</div><div>President</div><div>Higher Speed Internet</div><div><br></div><div><div style="color:rgb(87,87,87);font-size:9px">Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone</div></div><span><br><br><div>-------- Original message --------</div><div>From: Nan Rubin <u></u> </div><div>Date:04/11/2015 3:01 PM (GMT-07:00) </div><div>To: Brian Tagaban <u></u> </div><div>Cc: John Badal <u></u>, 1st-Mile-NM <<a href="mailto:1st-mile-nm@mailman.dcn.org" target="_blank">1st-mile-nm@mailman.dcn.org</a>>, <a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>, Wayne Hancock <u></u>, Ned <u></u> </div><div>Subject: Re: [1st-mile-nm] NM Broadband Task Force </div><div><br></div></span><span>[image: Paul White's profile photo]<br></span><<a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/115777986003453195195?prsrc=4" target="_blank">https://plus.google.com/u/0/115777986003453195195?prsrc=4</a>><div><div><br><br>Thanks – I’m REALLY glad to have some support for this!<br><br><br><br>Here’s the story – it looks like the PRC is trying to get some broadband<br>recommendations (including possible $$ allocations) in place before the<br>start of the new fiscal year, July 1. So this BB task force is on a fast<br>track – recommendations ready by the end of May.<br><br><br><br>I’m attaching the list of members – yes, nearly all industry folks – seems<br>like anyone who sent in a letter. But since I described myself as working<br>on media policy with grassroots and community groups, I’ll feel free to be<br>outspoken on behalf of this constituency.<br><br><br><br>The TF is operating under the authority of the PRC. The Steering Committee<br>was named by the PRC to oversee and coordinate the work of the TF. Typical<br>bureaucratic structure.<br><br><br><br>The mission of the TF is: “to be responsible for developing a recommended<br>action plan ("Action Plan") that will include the following:<br><br>A. The minimum upload and download broadband speeds that should be<br>made available either across the State or, if deemed appropriate by the<br>Task Force, in each area<br><br>of the State;<br><br>B. A map showing: (i) the areas of the State that currently have<br>available broadband service with at least the minimum upload and download<br>speeds determined by the Task Force, and the type of technology used to<br>provide such Internet service, such as DSL, cable or fixed wireless; and<br>(ii) the areas of the State that currently do not have broadband service<br>with at least the minimum upload and download speeds determine by the Task<br>Force; and (iii) the areas of the State that do not have any broadband<br>services at all.<br><br>C. A description of any barriers under existing law that prevent or<br>impede the deployment of broadband service in the State.<br><br>D. The identification of possible funding sources that can be used<br>to increase the deployment of broadband services in the State. If the Task<br>Force proposes using the State Rural Universal Service Fund ("USF") as one<br>of the funding sources, the proposal shall not include changing the<br>existing cap on the USF surcharge.<br><br>E. The specific Commission actions and possible legislation that<br>should be taken or enacted to ensure the rapid deployment across the State<br>of broadband services that meets the minimum speeds recommended by the Task<br>Force.”<br><br><br><br>The first TF meeting was this past Thursday in Santa Fe, me and several<br>others on the phone with intros and several background presentations.<br><br><br><br>I was impressed that a fair amount of work seems to have been done already<br>on these topics, especially looking at rural models already in place in<br>other states, and broadband mapping done here in NM. (though I might have<br>been misled, since I wasn’t able to see the presentations.)<br><br><br><br> <a href="http://www.doit.state.nm.us/broadband/#map" target="_blank">http://www.doit.state.nm.us/broadband/#map</a><br><br><br><br>based on the 5 items listed above, they set up 3 subcommittees:<br><br> Mapping<br><br> Funding (including using the New Mexico Universal Service Fund)<br><br> Public policy – I’m on this one.<br><br><br><br>My initial impression is that the focus will actually be on reaching<br>unserved areas; raising access speeds; and sustainability for systems once<br>they are built out (this is a biggy.) Since I’m on the Policy Committee,<br>I’ll make sure the ROW issue is properly researched and included for<br>recommendations. (“Obstacles” is already a category!)<br><br><br><br>I will probably also raise the issue of urging the PRC take a position<br>supporting municipal broadband, which was part of the same FCC decision.<br>If any local municipality in NM should want to run its own system, the PRC<br>should make it easy for them instead of deferring to the corporate<br>providers.<br><br><br><br>I’ll know more on Monday when I call in to the first Policy committee<br>meeting. Meanwhile, I’ve asked them to send me copies of all the<br>background materials, and am attaching the list of TF members.<br><br><br><br>Stay tuned,<br><br>Nan<br><br></div></div>*Nan Rubin*<br>*Community Media Services*<br><a href="tel:917-656-0886" target="_blank" value="+19176560886">917-656-0886</a> [*Rocky Mountain Time Zone!!!]*<span><br>4093 Calle de Estrellas<br>Las Cruces, NM 88012<br><a href="http://www.nanrubin.net" target="_blank">www.nanrubin.net</a><br><br>On Fri, Apr 10, 2015 at 4:50 PM, Brian Tagaban <<a href="mailto:Brian@tagaban.com" target="_blank">Brian@tagaban.com</a>> wrote:<br><br>> Digging is a one-time cost. Rights-of-way agreements are reoccurring<br>> subject to local and diverse ordinances/rules which makes ROW a substantial<br>> project risk. Some areas are subject to minimal permitting requirements<br>> but when the Feds deem one as being under federal protection then the<br>> complexity for ROW grows exponentially due to the sequential and dependency<br>> nature of the agreements. Federal and State roads are not exempt from the<br>> complexity of ROW therefore combining the two ROWs is an excellent idea in<br>> my opinion.<br>><br>><br>><br>> Brian Tagaban<br>><br>><br>><br></span>> *From:* 1st-mile-nm [mailto:<a href="mailto:1st-mile-nm-bounces@mailman.dcn.org" target="_blank">1st-mile-nm-bounces@mailman.dcn.org</a>] *On<br>> Behalf Of *<a href="mailto:frank@wmxsystems.com" target="_blank">frank@wmxsystems.com</a><br>> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 08, 2015 1:55 PM<br>> *To:* John Badal; John Brown; Wayne Hancock<br>><br>> *Cc:* Quijada, Andrea; Lynn Chadwick; Cheryl Leanza; 1st-Mile-NM;<br>> <a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>; Ned<br>> *Subject:* Re: [1st-mile-nm] NM Broadband Task Force<span><br>><br>><br>><br>> Digging is 90% of the cost of a fiber deployment.<br>><br>> -------- Original Message --------<br>> Subject: Re: [1st-mile-nm] NM Broadband Task Force<br>> From: John Badal <<a href="mailto:JBadal@sacred-wind.com" target="_blank">JBadal@sacred-wind.com</a>><br>> Date: Wed, April 08, 2015 1:50 pm<br>> To: John Brown <<a href="mailto:john@citylinkfiber.com" target="_blank">john@citylinkfiber.com</a>>, Wayne Hancock<br>> <<a href="mailto:whancock@donaanacounty.org" target="_blank">whancock@donaanacounty.org</a>><br>> Cc: "Quijada, Andrea" <<a href="mailto:andrea@medialiteracyproject.org" target="_blank">andrea@medialiteracyproject.org</a>>, Lynn Chadwick<br>> <<a href="mailto:lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov" target="_blank">lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov</a>>, Cheryl Leanza <<a href="mailto:cleanza@alhmail.com" target="_blank">cleanza@alhmail.com</a>>,<br>> 1st-Mile-NM <<a href="mailto:1st-mile-nm@mailman.dcn.org" target="_blank">1st-mile-nm@mailman.dcn.org</a>>, "<a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>"<br>> <<a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>>, Ned <<a href="mailto:erubin47@comcast.net" target="_blank">erubin47@comcast.net</a>><br>><br>> Actually, that’s a good idea. Obtaining rights of way is a time consuming<br>> and costly chore for telcos and much money and multiple easemtn excavations<br>> could be avoided if the local, state or federal government would install<br>> conduit as they upgrade their rights of way. Congresswoman Eshoo of<br>> California has introduced a bill for several years running that would<br>> require the US DOT to install fiber ducts in all federal Hwy rights of way<br>> for use by any fiber provider.<br>><br>><br>><br>><br>><br>> John<br>><br>><br>><br></span>> *From:* 1st-mile-nm [*mailto:<a href="mailto:1st-mile-nm-bounces@mailman.dcn.org" target="_blank">1st-mile-nm-bounces@mailman.dcn.org</a>*<br>> <<a href="mailto:1st-mile-nm-bounces@mailman.dcn.org" target="_blank">1st-mile-nm-bounces@mailman.dcn.org</a>>] *On Behalf Of *John Brown<br>> *Sent:* Wednesday, April 8, 2015 1:17 PM<br>> *To:* Wayne Hancock<br>> *Cc:* Quijada, Andrea; Lynn Chadwick; Cheryl Leanza; 1st-Mile-NM;<br>> *<a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>* <<a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>>; Ned<br>> *Subject:* Re: [1st-mile-nm] NM Broadband Task Force<span><br>><br>><br>><br>> what exactly will that achieve ?<br>><br>><br>><br>> On Wed, Apr 8, 2015 at 12:03 PM, Wayne Hancock <<br></span><span>> *<a href="mailto:whancock@donaanacounty.org" target="_blank">whancock@donaanacounty.org</a>* <<a href="mailto:whancock@donaanacounty.org" target="_blank">whancock@donaanacounty.org</a>>> wrote:<br>><br>> That’s Great!<br>><br>><br>><br>> As a recommendation, it would be helpful if Counties were encouraged to<br>> include a provision within their permitting processes for trenching, that<br>> “Fiber Duct will be placed and marked in all trenches on Public Rights of<br>> Way” .<br>><br>><br>><br>> Good Luck<br>><br>><br>><br>> Wayne D. Hancock<br>><br>> Dona Ana County<br>><br>> Commissioner District 4<br>><br>> 845 N. Motel Blvd.<br>><br>> Las Cruces, NM 88007<br>><br>> <a href="tel:575%20525-5810" target="_blank" value="+15755255810">575 525-5810</a> Office<br>><br>> <a href="tel:575%20520-4560" target="_blank" value="+15755204560">575 520-4560</a> Cell<br>><br>> <a href="tel:575%20525-5948" target="_blank" value="+15755255948">575 525-5948</a> Fax<br>><br>><br>><br>> [image: DAC_logo_small]<br>><br>><br>><br></span>> *From:* Nan Rubin [mailto:*<a href="mailto:nanrubin@gmail.com" target="_blank">nanrubin@gmail.com</a>* <<a href="mailto:nanrubin@gmail.com" target="_blank">nanrubin@gmail.com</a>>]<br>> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 07, 2015 1:12 PM<br>> *To:* 1st-Mile-NM<br>> *Cc:* Wayne Hancock; Cheryl Leanza; Lynn Chadwick; Quijada, Andrea; Ned;<br>> *<a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>* <<a href="mailto:gillsorg@gmail.com" target="_blank">gillsorg@gmail.com</a>><br>> *Subject:* NM Broadband Task Force<span><br>><br>><br>><br>> As you know, the NM Public Regulation Commission just set up a Broadband<br>> Task Force to look into how to improve BB service around the state,<br>> especially increasing speeds where there is BB, and bringing it to parts of<br></span></div><br></div></div><span>_______________________________________________<br>
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