I brought this up on our pre-call yesterday and everyone is across the board. Some are doing no installs, some are doing a self-install where they give the customer a cable and drill a hole without entering the house, and some are doing full install with precautions. We will be asking the State for an essential company as to what is necessary for PPE, and good guidelines. Any delivery company would also fall under these guidelines. No one is wanting to publish standards unless blessed by the State because it exposes them to liability if someone gets sick.
Today's call to the LG and Scott Rudd, they are saying that it is a business decision as to how you protect your employees because you are an essential business. Please follow all guidelines that are published... as to what that means, they asked the group if anyone would share their protocols and/or policies, and the only person that said anything was from the cable industry and their response was it is highly classified, but they will try and share some things... but for the most part, it was silent. If anyone has any other questions or concerns, I will bring them up at the next meeting. Eric Rogers www.pdsconnect.me (317) 831-3000 x200 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Steve Barnes Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2020 2:39 PM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Eric, I think we need to bring to the attention of the state that Internet Service Providers are seen as Essential services. If you consider all the other essential services, ISPs are some of the only services that MUST be in the individuals home or business. Its not like you can install a new service and only be outside the home. Other services may need in but many of those are handled by contractors that have already completed that service to the outside. I think that additional considerations, testing's, and access to protective gear should be considered as we make working from home possible for thousands of Hoosiers. I would expect IBTA, INECA, Cable, and even the REMCs could get behind that. Steve Barnes Vice President of Operations New Lisbon Telephone Co. New Lisbon Broadband Comm. NLBC.COM 765-332-2413 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org <indiana-boun...@wispa.org> On Behalf Of Eric Rogers Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 2:57 PM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Yes, however now that it is shelter in place, we are limiting new installs. We have new protocols we have put in place for any in-home work. We have had a significant increase, yes... Please be safe in your work going forward, even younger people can be significantly affected and this virus doesn't discriminate to only those that have a compromised immune systems or elderly. Eric Rogers www.pdsconnect.me (317) 831-3000 x200 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Tyson Burris Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 2:43 PM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Sounds good Eric. Keep us updated. I am sure you all are getting hammered like we are. Seeing 27% increase here. Tyson Burris, President Internet Communications Inc. 739 Commerce Dr. Franklin, IN 46131 Office # 317-738-0320 Cell/Direct # 317-412-1540 Online: www.surfici.net What can ICI do for you? Broadband Wireless - PtP/PtMP Solutions - Mesh Wifi/Hotzones - IP Cameras - Fiber - Towers - Infrastructure. CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail is intended for the addressee shown. It contains information that is confidential and protected from disclosure. Any review, dissemination or use of this transmission or its contents by unauthorized organizations or individuals is strictly prohibited. From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org <indiana-boun...@wispa.org> On Behalf Of Eric Rogers Sent: Monday, March 23, 2020 2:40 PM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Everyone, Now that we are officially on "Shelter In Place," our group is now having a conference call at 10:00 AM every day. If anyone has anything for tomorrow's meeting, please feel free to let me know. Please use this forum (Indiana WISPA list) to officially communicate. Anyone is welcome to reach out to me personally outside of email as well. One thing that we will be discussing in our daily briefings are needs. If someone needs a generator for instance, they could reach out and a nearby operator could then help their neighbor. Eric Rogers www.pdsconnect.me (317) 831-3000 x200 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Eric Rogers Sent: Friday, March 20, 2020 8:53 AM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting So I recently have transitioned into this role, but was not given the call in information in time, so I was unable to attend. I will attach some of the information that was sent so that you are informed. There are two pieces of information that I have received, one that the CISA released https://www.cisa.gov/news/2020/03/19/cisa-releases-guidance-essential-cr itical-infrastructure-workers-during-covid-19 that is guidance, that communication providers are to staff as needed to provide the services necessary. The second document I have attached is the 2015 Homeland Security communications sector plan. Since it was developed in 2015, I would assume it would be of good guidance until we hear otherwise. Scott already sent out the letters from DHS and CISA for travel and fuel. If anyone has any questions, please forward them, either on-list for discussion, or off-list. Thank you for all you do, Eric Rogers www.pdsconnect.me (317) 831-3000 x200 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Jim Smutniak Sent: Thursday, March 19, 2020 4:04 PM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting Any feedback on the outcome of the conference call? The Governor today announced that internet and telephone service cannot be shut off for non-payment at least until May and possibly beyond if the emergency is extended. Comcast and AT&T can survive something like this. Companies like ours will have a much harder time. SBA loans are available but are not helpful because they have to be repaid and personally guaranteed by the business owner. When the State permits customers to consume our services without paying for them, personal guarantees do not seem appropriate. A grant would be more appropriate in this situation. <http://www.pickmta.com/> <https://www.facebook.com/pickmta/> <https://twitter.com/pickmta> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/midwest-telecom-of-america> James Smutniak 1567 E.93rd Avenue Merrillville, IN 46410 1-800-935-2181 Direct: 219-750-1812 From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:indiana-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of ORI.NET - Scott LePere Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 11:03 AM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: Re: [Indiana] Meeting We are doing the same things as you steve. From: indiana-boun...@wispa.org <indiana-boun...@wispa.org> On Behalf Of Steve Barnes Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2020 10:41 AM To: indiana@wispa.org Subject: [Indiana] Meeting There is a conference call today with Scott Rudd of the lieutenant governor's office that the WISPA coordinators will be invited to. This meeting is with all Indiana telecom associations. They're wanting to know what the different internet providers in the state are doing to help their subscribers during the Corona virus situation. How have you changed your normal operating procedures. I know our company has signed on to the FCC keep America connected. We are not doing any kind of free upgrades at the current time or free installs. But are being very lenient to frustrated customers because we know they're stressed. We have also changed our install and repair procedures for entering people's houses. We make sure that there are no sicknesses in the home, techs where gloves and shoe covers while in the home, wash hands before and after, request that the customer keep social distance, and the text can leave at any time they don't feel comfortable. We have also stopped requiring customer to sign documentation if the customer is being a pain they can take a picture of the customer with a thumbs up in front of the paperwork. What else are you guys doing? Steve Barnes Vice President of Operations New Lisbon Telephone Co. New Lisbon Broadband Comm. NLBC.COM 765-332-2413
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