Comments inline:
9. I'm conflicted on this. I'm not sure WISPA is having
any real effect, but I'm not sure they are not. [We believe we had a
major
impact in the TV Whitespaces NPRM and outcome, it has taught us the
importance of strong legal counsel in Washington DC and it has assisted us
in talking to the right people.]
I know I'll miss some things here, but lets see what I can come up with off
the top of my head:
CALEA standard. WISPA has the ONLY free to everyone standard that's made it
through the whole process. We worked directly with the FBI on our standard.
There are standards out there that the FBI is said to be fighting against.
Form 477 FAQ #8. That one is the direct result of a group of WISPs that met
with the Form 477 folks to help clarify exactly what WISPs are expeted to do
and how we're to do it. Sure saved me a LOT of time and heartache.
Clarification of the new updated FCC rules after the last major upgrade to
them.
Got the FCC to agree that a routed group of individual AP's could fall under
the same higher powered 2.4ghz rules as active antennas. Too bad no one
built and certified a system of 8 or 10 ap's with very narrow sectors (how
about 24db grids :-). Did you guys know that we CAN use more than 4 watts
at the AP's if the systems are designed right and are certified as such?
WISPA got that interpretation of the rules done.
Worked the Whitespaces issue for 4 years. It tried to die a natural death
several times. We kept after it every chance we got.
Done multiple training sessions for FCC staff. (we teach them what really
goes on out in the world.)
10. The only way we are going to be heard is if we have a
full
time presence just like the big boys. [In process since July!]
Not true. We're heard every time we open our mouths. They (the FCC) LOVE
to hear from us. We are the guys in the trenches. We're the ones with the
bloody knuckles. They know that. I've never been turned down for a meeting
at the FCC, I've met with all of the commissioners but one. I've had
meetings with the chairman's office. In fact I met with Martin back when he
was still a commissioner. Got the pictures to prove it :-). None of this
is because of me or anyone I know. It's because of who we are within the
internet industry.
11. I feel the dues should be based on a WISP's subscriber
count. Vendor dues should be based on a member's annual revenues or some
other metric. [That is one of the options we are looking at.]
I said that since before we even were WISPA.
12. Can't agree to raising the price when I don't know the
current price. [$250 annually]
13. No, but I would pay more for stuff that I can reach out
and touch. Buying groups, documents, passworded site with super vault
filled
with treasures. [We are currently developing a members only section
on
the website where these documents can be stored. We will also be
developing
further member discounts with our vendors over the next few months. There
are already some discounts listed on the
http://www.wispa.org/?page_id=256 Vendor Discounts page on the website.]
Don't forget what WISPA's mission is. Rick, is the mission statement right
at the top of the home page yet?
14. I would rather see income rise because of membership
increases before raising the dues. [I agree, however, after 4 years and
some major current lobbying efforts and a need for an Executive director
or
staff, we have reached a level where we need to reassess our dues
structure
to achieve all the desires of our members]
15. only slightly, since it tends to drive out the smaller
startups! [We are very aware of this, it is always at the forefront of
our
thought processes]
16. I think they should remain the same.
17. Bring forth products and services, then take a cut of
them
to fund lobbying efforts. [This is also something we are considering]
18. I would need to see more specific examples of how
additional funding is needed to achieve tangible goals. [See above, if
this
doesn't answer your questions, email me offlist]
19. actually this should be unknown or N/A as I am not fully
aware of WISPAs lobbying efforts. [See above]
20. I think that indepth lobbying that can be effective is
critical. WISPA has shown massive progress and influence on the process
and
anything supporting those continued efforts would be well received. Can I
just donate money toward lobbying and not join? [Thank you for your
encouragement. Of course, email me offlist and we can take care of your
request but why would you not join?]
I agree with Rick here. The money (more importantly the time) always helps.
But part of what adds weight to our statements is numbers. The more members
we have the more people we can speak for
