On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 2:30 AM, Sam Churchill <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> I don't understand how PTP is going to land a deal with PP&L,  or get
> a bucket truck, or manage a system even if the city decides to give
> PTP MetroFi's equipment for free. And why should they.

I don't see PTP setting up any kind of contract to mount on power
poles with PGE or PP&L. Managing a system though, is something we do
currently on a smaller scale, so I wouldn't write that off.

> I don't see why you should assume MetroFi WON'T take their gear down.
> Mike Rogoway seems to be the only one suggesting that.

I think everyone is suggesting that. MetroFi missed their own deadline
for removal, stopped returning phone calls and generally seem to be
shut down.

> But even if the city gets Skypilot gear -- and it's worth, say
> $500/each (600x500=$300,000), it would be a temptation to sell it on
> EBay for $200-$250,000. SEI, OneEconomy and PTP management could burn
> though that in a year. Then where's the revenue stream?

You're sounding like the Governor of Alaska ;) The city could
certainly sell them, assuming that there is a market for that many
SkyPilots (I think that is a big assumption given the direction these
projects have gone). It's more likely that there is a market for
certain pieces of their backhaul network, which in turn could cover
the City's expense to remove the gear. Then they would be free to
recycle, donate or firesale the rest.

> Still, I like the idea of running 1-2 mile hot zones in a dozen areas
> throughout the city. Put up 250 Skypilots, sell the rest. That would
> be handy for rich people with iPhones and Androids. I don't think it's
> much of a digital divide solution, though. Too expensive. Too
> bureaucratic. Not enough penetration.

Who would pay for the hot zones?

> The digital divide solution is 2150 and white spaces, not WiFi.

I think Municipal Fiber is the solution.

-- 
Michael Weinberg
President
Personal Telco Project, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit

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