Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million?
Nice. And for such a great cause, too. Bob- -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hammett Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:42 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? http://broadbandbreakfast.com/?p=9684 -- - Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million?
Was just informed by our Senator's Aid that this has not been decided yet. If it is approved half of the funds would come out of the NTIA and the other RUS. This would still leave the RUS fund @ $1.5B. And yes Robert, I hate to see tax dollars spent on a war. ~V~ -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Robert West Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 10:46 AM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? Nice. And for such a great cause, too. Bob- -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hammett Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:42 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? http://broadbandbreakfast.com/?p=9684 -- - Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2977 - Release Date: 07/02/10 01:35:00 WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million?
Of course that wouldn't be particular fair given that NTIA got 2/3rds of the funding in the first place. I'd hope they'd have to cough up 2/3rds of the give back. Chuck On Jul 2, 2010, at 12:04 PM, St. Louis Broadband wrote: Was just informed by our Senator's Aid that this has not been decided yet. If it is approved half of the funds would come out of the NTIA and the other RUS. This would still leave the RUS fund @ $1.5B. And yes Robert, I hate to see tax dollars spent on a war. ~V~ -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Robert West Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 10:46 AM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? Nice. And for such a great cause, too. Bob- -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hammett Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:42 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? http://broadbandbreakfast.com/?p=9684 -- - Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2977 - Release Date: 07/02/10 01:35:00 WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- Chuck Bartosch Clarity Connect, Inc. 200 Pleasant Grove Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8268 When the stars threw down their spears, and water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile, His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? From William Blake's Tiger!, Tiger! WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million?
Just expressed that sentiment with our Senator, suggest you do the same ;-) ~V~ -Original Message- From: Chuck Bartosch [mailto:ch...@clarityconnect.com] Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 12:02 PM To: li...@stlbroadband.com; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? Of course that wouldn't be particular fair given that NTIA got 2/3rds of the funding in the first place. I'd hope they'd have to cough up 2/3rds of the give back. Chuck On Jul 2, 2010, at 12:04 PM, St. Louis Broadband wrote: Was just informed by our Senator's Aid that this has not been decided yet. If it is approved half of the funds would come out of the NTIA and the other RUS. This would still leave the RUS fund @ $1.5B. And yes Robert, I hate to see tax dollars spent on a war. ~V~ -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Robert West Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 10:46 AM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? Nice. And for such a great cause, too. Bob- -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hammett Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:42 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? http://broadbandbreakfast.com/?p=9684 -- - Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2977 - Release Date: 07/02/10 01:35:00 WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- Chuck Bartosch Clarity Connect, Inc. 200 Pleasant Grove Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8268 When the stars threw down their spears, and water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile, His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? From William Blake's Tiger!, Tiger! No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2977 - Release Date: 07/02/10 01:35:00 WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million?
I've contacted the two congressman in our area already. Haven't reached out yet to the Senators. Chuck On Jul 2, 2010, at 1:12 PM, St. Louis Broadband wrote: Just expressed that sentiment with our Senator, suggest you do the same ;-) ~V~ -Original Message- From: Chuck Bartosch [mailto:ch...@clarityconnect.com] Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 12:02 PM To: li...@stlbroadband.com; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? Of course that wouldn't be particular fair given that NTIA got 2/3rds of the funding in the first place. I'd hope they'd have to cough up 2/3rds of the give back. Chuck On Jul 2, 2010, at 12:04 PM, St. Louis Broadband wrote: Was just informed by our Senator's Aid that this has not been decided yet. If it is approved half of the funds would come out of the NTIA and the other RUS. This would still leave the RUS fund @ $1.5B. And yes Robert, I hate to see tax dollars spent on a war. ~V~ -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Robert West Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 10:46 AM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? Nice. And for such a great cause, too. Bob- -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Mike Hammett Sent: Friday, July 02, 2010 11:42 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus to lose $602 Million? http://broadbandbreakfast.com/?p=9684 -- - Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2977 - Release Date: 07/02/10 01:35:00 WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- Chuck Bartosch Clarity Connect, Inc. 200 Pleasant Grove Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8268 When the stars threw down their spears, and water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile, His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? From William Blake's Tiger!, Tiger! No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.830 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2977 - Release Date: 07/02/10 01:35:00 -- Chuck Bartosch Clarity Connect, Inc. 200 Pleasant Grove Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8268 When the stars threw down their spears, and water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile, His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? From William Blake's Tiger!, Tiger! WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus
Congratulations! Thank You, Brian Webster -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org]on Behalf Of Michael Baird Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 9:09 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Not sure if anybody else has posted about receiving funds, we just were informed yesterday that our middle mile funding was approved. Still waiting our our last mile application. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/01/333_million_fe deral_grant_to_h.html Regards Michael Baird WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus
Congrats Out of curiosity -- was your last mile BIP or BTOP? -Charles -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Michael Baird Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 8:09 AM To: WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Not sure if anybody else has posted about receiving funds, we just were informed yesterday that our middle mile funding was approved. Still waiting our our last mile application. http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/01/333_million_federal_grant_to_h.html Regards Michael Baird WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Could Save Lives and Cash
I used the school bus argument as an extreme one but thanks for underscoring my point :) On Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 12:54 AM, Chuck Bartoschch...@clarityconnect.com wrote: On Sep 4, 2009, at 10:46 PM, RickG wrote: Reminds me of when I worked at McDonald Douglas. The engineers there told me they could save more lives by putting in more safety equipment into the jets. The problem was airline travel would cost 1000 times more. Ever wonder why there are no seat belts on school buses? Money. Though it is a true statement, it's misleading for school busses. Almost no one dies in a school bus (compared to auto accidents) in the first place. And seat belts wouldn't have much of any effect on the already exceedingly low death rates in a school bus. THAT'S why we don't spend money on it- it doesn't really make any difference. Yes, I know one could say ah, but if you saved 1 life a year, you're making an economic argument that it isn't worth $500,000,000 to retrofit all busses to have seat belts. It's true, but kind of misleading because, if it would make much of a difference, we'd do it. Meanwhile, many many parents drive their kids to school despite the fact that the death rate due to driving kids to school is like 100 times higher. In both cases though, the rates are so low, it isn't really any issue. The point is, we can save more lives in many ways but at what cost? nod Chuck -RickG On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM, Listsli...@stlbroadband.com wrote: http://www.stltoday.com/pr/business/PR09030902052935 Victoria WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- Chuck Bartosch Clarity Connect, Inc. 200 Pleasant Grove Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8268 When the stars threw down their spears, and water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile, His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? From William Blake's Tiger!, Tiger! WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Could Save Lives and Cash
Reminds me of when I worked at McDonald Douglas. The engineers there told me they could save more lives by putting in more safety equipment into the jets. The problem was airline travel would cost 1000 times more. Ever wonder why there are no seat belts on school buses? Money. The point is, we can save more lives in many ways but at what cost? -RickG On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM, Listsli...@stlbroadband.com wrote: http://www.stltoday.com/pr/business/PR09030902052935 Victoria WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Could Save Lives and Cash
On Sep 4, 2009, at 10:46 PM, RickG wrote: Reminds me of when I worked at McDonald Douglas. The engineers there told me they could save more lives by putting in more safety equipment into the jets. The problem was airline travel would cost 1000 times more. Ever wonder why there are no seat belts on school buses? Money. Though it is a true statement, it's misleading for school busses. Almost no one dies in a school bus (compared to auto accidents) in the first place. And seat belts wouldn't have much of any effect on the already exceedingly low death rates in a school bus. THAT'S why we don't spend money on it- it doesn't really make any difference. Yes, I know one could say ah, but if you saved 1 life a year, you're making an economic argument that it isn't worth $500,000,000 to retrofit all busses to have seat belts. It's true, but kind of misleading because, if it would make much of a difference, we'd do it. Meanwhile, many many parents drive their kids to school despite the fact that the death rate due to driving kids to school is like 100 times higher. In both cases though, the rates are so low, it isn't really any issue. The point is, we can save more lives in many ways but at what cost? nod Chuck -RickG On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 2:09 PM, Listsli...@stlbroadband.com wrote: http://www.stltoday.com/pr/business/PR09030902052935 Victoria WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ -- Chuck Bartosch Clarity Connect, Inc. 200 Pleasant Grove Road Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 257-8268 When the stars threw down their spears, and water'd heaven with their tears, Did He smile, His work to see? Did He who made the Lamb make thee? From William Blake's Tiger!, Tiger! WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Sure it matters! I run a private company. We have enough laws, rules, and regualtions to abide by as it is. It's enough to make you dizzy. To open up your books to politicians and the likes with nothing better to do than pick on capitalist is a disaster in the making. I know plenty of farmers that will tell you their stories. I'm an honest guy and go overboard to make sure I play by the rules but I dont trust others and their agendas. -RickG On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 10:36 PM, Josh Luthman j...@imaginenetworksllc.com wrote: Does it matter..? On 5/26/09, RickG rgunder...@gmail.com wrote: Will you have to open your books to the government if you take the money? -RickG On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 4:57 PM, Tom DeReggi wirelessn...@rapiddsl.net wrote: Scott, Here is the best advice I can give you. Rules are not published and nobody knows what will be the criteria for qualification or for actually winning the grants, and I'm not sure NTIA will really know either, even after they publish rules. I think the first allocation of funds will be somewhat a science project to see what type of applicants and applications are receieved. What you need to do is 1) identify the areas that you'd like to serve with grant money, if you got some. Don't overly plan, it will take to much time. Use some forward thinking :-) 2) Come up with a plan of how much additional cash you'd need beyond grant funds, to acheive the plan, if you won a grant for those areas. 3) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula before the NOFA and rules are released from NTIA/RUS, because it will be useless and inaccurate. 4) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula after teh NOFA and rules a released from NTIA/RUS, because by then there won't be anymore time left, and everyone will be scrambling to get their grants in with the SHORT deadline. The Legislative Committee is closely monitoring the progress regarding notices and comments released by NTIA/RUS as they are released. WISPA's Membership will be notified of this information and where to read details when it is released. In the meantime, you'll need to gamble, and bet on what you think will be the future rules. WISPs will be fighting against the grain so to speak, because our typical profile will not match the typical profile of the targeted awardee. But the good news is that NTIA/RUS are simplathetic to WISPs, and if they gave a grant to every pre-existing WISP, it really wouldn't be all that much money comparatively, to what is available. The biggest barrier is the reality that its most feasible for NTIA/RUS to award large grants, just because the sheer volume of it. However, I know for a fact, they are trying to come up with ways to include WISPs, within reality. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll allow smaller projects, that are well written, and justified. My advise is to do all the business case plannign a head of time, so you are rteady to hit the ground running, when the NOFA is released. Remember, they have not stated that there will be any reward for deploying cheaper. But it is a listed goal, to seek plans that incourage additional investments. Again, that is a barrier, for WISPs that have already invested all their personal resources and capitol, and to attrack additional investors that will bring in operating cash, without the WISP giving their business away. Just remember the largest reason small WISPs have not received grants is that they never applied. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Audit = excitment, fun, adventure! On Wed, May 27, 2009 at 12:19 AM, Tom DeReggi wirelessn...@rapiddsl.net wrote: Yes, for the portion of your business that relates to the Grant proceeds. Some disclosure of financial statements would likely be required do to proving your need that you wouldn't do the upgrade without recieving the funds, or to prove your economic need, and your viablity for sustainabilty. But it would be up to you what you were willing to share. Accepting money does not give them the rights to your books, beyond showing compliance to grant terms. There will be a requirement to report deployed coverage down to the census block level, where using Grant proceeds, as well as your prices offered. For example, you would not be audited for prior non-related tax compliance. Auditors would audit grant compliance. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:15 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Will you have to open your books to the government if you take the money? -RickG On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 4:57 PM, Tom DeReggi wirelessn...@rapiddsl.net wrote: Scott, Here is the best advice I can give you. Rules are not published and nobody knows what will be the criteria for qualification or for actually winning the grants, and I'm not sure NTIA will really know either, even after they publish rules. I think the first allocation of funds will be somewhat a science project to see what type of applicants and applications are receieved. What you need to do is 1) identify the areas that you'd like to serve with grant money, if you got some. Don't overly plan, it will take to much time. Use some forward thinking :-) 2) Come up with a plan of how much additional cash you'd need beyond grant funds, to acheive the plan, if you won a grant for those areas. 3) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula before the NOFA and rules are released from NTIA/RUS, because it will be useless and inaccurate. 4) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula after teh NOFA and rules a released from NTIA/RUS, because by then there won't be anymore time left, and everyone will be scrambling to get their grants in with the SHORT deadline. The Legislative Committee is closely monitoring the progress regarding notices and comments released by NTIA/RUS as they are released. WISPA's Membership will be notified of this information and where to read details when it is released. In the meantime, you'll need to gamble, and bet on what you think will be the future rules. WISPs will be fighting against the grain so to speak, because our typical profile will not match the typical profile of the targeted awardee. But the good news is that NTIA/RUS are simplathetic to WISPs, and if they gave a grant to every pre-existing WISP, it really wouldn't be all that much money comparatively, to what is available. The biggest barrier is the reality that its most feasible for NTIA/RUS to award large grants, just because the sheer volume of it. However, I know for a fact, they are trying to come up with ways to include WISPs, within reality. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll allow smaller projects, that are well written, and justified. My advise is to do all the business case plannign a head of time, so you are rteady to hit the ground running, when the NOFA is released. Remember, they have not stated that there will be any reward for deploying cheaper. But it is a listed goal, to seek plans that incourage additional investments. Again, that is a barrier, for WISPs that have already invested all their personal resources and capitol, and to attrack additional investors that will bring in operating cash, without the WISP giving their business away. Just remember the largest reason small WISPs have not received grants is that they never applied. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Scott, Here is the best advice I can give you. Rules are not published and nobody knows what will be the criteria for qualification or for actually winning the grants, and I'm not sure NTIA will really know either, even after they publish rules. I think the first allocation of funds will be somewhat a science project to see what type of applicants and applications are receieved. What you need to do is 1) identify the areas that you'd like to serve with grant money, if you got some. Don't overly plan, it will take to much time. Use some forward thinking :-) 2) Come up with a plan of how much additional cash you'd need beyond grant funds, to acheive the plan, if you won a grant for those areas. 3) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula before the NOFA and rules are released from NTIA/RUS, because it will be useless and inaccurate. 4) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula after teh NOFA and rules a released from NTIA/RUS, because by then there won't be anymore time left, and everyone will be scrambling to get their grants in with the SHORT deadline. The Legislative Committee is closely monitoring the progress regarding notices and comments released by NTIA/RUS as they are released. WISPA's Membership will be notified of this information and where to read details when it is released. In the meantime, you'll need to gamble, and bet on what you think will be the future rules. WISPs will be fighting against the grain so to speak, because our typical profile will not match the typical profile of the targeted awardee. But the good news is that NTIA/RUS are simplathetic to WISPs, and if they gave a grant to every pre-existing WISP, it really wouldn't be all that much money comparatively, to what is available. The biggest barrier is the reality that its most feasible for NTIA/RUS to award large grants, just because the sheer volume of it. However, I know for a fact, they are trying to come up with ways to include WISPs, within reality. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll allow smaller projects, that are well written, and justified. My advise is to do all the business case plannign a head of time, so you are rteady to hit the ground running, when the NOFA is released. Remember, they have not stated that there will be any reward for deploying cheaper. But it is a listed goal, to seek plans that incourage additional investments. Again, that is a barrier, for WISPs that have already invested all their personal resources and capitol, and to attrack additional investors that will bring in operating cash, without the WISP giving their business away. Just remember the largest reason small WISPs have not received grants is that they never applied. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back to the monopoly world (read boondocks). Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. -RickG On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Charles Wu c...@cticonnect.com wrote: All I can say is if you are holding back on doing more installs because you can't afford it, you need to find some financing and get installing. Once that customer is installed with something else (DSL, Cable, competitor), it's 10x harder to get them to switch to you. You have to get the customers NOW. Now that's a more interesting discussion What's the business plan for customer
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
With what Wispa has done with the Calea and 700mhz whitespace issues alone it seems to be worth the check to me. And they have done much more then that. Matt On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 11:27 PM, Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.comwrote: Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Will you have to open your books to the government if you take the money? -RickG On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 4:57 PM, Tom DeReggi wirelessn...@rapiddsl.net wrote: Scott, Here is the best advice I can give you. Rules are not published and nobody knows what will be the criteria for qualification or for actually winning the grants, and I'm not sure NTIA will really know either, even after they publish rules. I think the first allocation of funds will be somewhat a science project to see what type of applicants and applications are receieved. What you need to do is 1) identify the areas that you'd like to serve with grant money, if you got some. Don't overly plan, it will take to much time. Use some forward thinking :-) 2) Come up with a plan of how much additional cash you'd need beyond grant funds, to acheive the plan, if you won a grant for those areas. 3) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula before the NOFA and rules are released from NTIA/RUS, because it will be useless and inaccurate. 4) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula after teh NOFA and rules a released from NTIA/RUS, because by then there won't be anymore time left, and everyone will be scrambling to get their grants in with the SHORT deadline. The Legislative Committee is closely monitoring the progress regarding notices and comments released by NTIA/RUS as they are released. WISPA's Membership will be notified of this information and where to read details when it is released. In the meantime, you'll need to gamble, and bet on what you think will be the future rules. WISPs will be fighting against the grain so to speak, because our typical profile will not match the typical profile of the targeted awardee. But the good news is that NTIA/RUS are simplathetic to WISPs, and if they gave a grant to every pre-existing WISP, it really wouldn't be all that much money comparatively, to what is available. The biggest barrier is the reality that its most feasible for NTIA/RUS to award large grants, just because the sheer volume of it. However, I know for a fact, they are trying to come up with ways to include WISPs, within reality. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll allow smaller projects, that are well written, and justified. My advise is to do all the business case plannign a head of time, so you are rteady to hit the ground running, when the NOFA is released. Remember, they have not stated that there will be any reward for deploying cheaper. But it is a listed goal, to seek plans that incourage additional investments. Again, that is a barrier, for WISPs that have already invested all their personal resources and capitol, and to attrack additional investors that will bring in operating cash, without the WISP giving their business away. Just remember the largest reason small WISPs have not received grants is that they never applied. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back to the monopoly world (read boondocks). Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. -RickG On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Charles Wu c...@cticonnect.com wrote: All I can say is if you are holding back on doing more installs because you can't afford it, you need to find some financing and get installing. Once that customer is installed with something else (DSL, Cable
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Does it matter..? On 5/26/09, RickG rgunder...@gmail.com wrote: Will you have to open your books to the government if you take the money? -RickG On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 4:57 PM, Tom DeReggi wirelessn...@rapiddsl.net wrote: Scott, Here is the best advice I can give you. Rules are not published and nobody knows what will be the criteria for qualification or for actually winning the grants, and I'm not sure NTIA will really know either, even after they publish rules. I think the first allocation of funds will be somewhat a science project to see what type of applicants and applications are receieved. What you need to do is 1) identify the areas that you'd like to serve with grant money, if you got some. Don't overly plan, it will take to much time. Use some forward thinking :-) 2) Come up with a plan of how much additional cash you'd need beyond grant funds, to acheive the plan, if you won a grant for those areas. 3) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula before the NOFA and rules are released from NTIA/RUS, because it will be useless and inaccurate. 4) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula after teh NOFA and rules a released from NTIA/RUS, because by then there won't be anymore time left, and everyone will be scrambling to get their grants in with the SHORT deadline. The Legislative Committee is closely monitoring the progress regarding notices and comments released by NTIA/RUS as they are released. WISPA's Membership will be notified of this information and where to read details when it is released. In the meantime, you'll need to gamble, and bet on what you think will be the future rules. WISPs will be fighting against the grain so to speak, because our typical profile will not match the typical profile of the targeted awardee. But the good news is that NTIA/RUS are simplathetic to WISPs, and if they gave a grant to every pre-existing WISP, it really wouldn't be all that much money comparatively, to what is available. The biggest barrier is the reality that its most feasible for NTIA/RUS to award large grants, just because the sheer volume of it. However, I know for a fact, they are trying to come up with ways to include WISPs, within reality. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll allow smaller projects, that are well written, and justified. My advise is to do all the business case plannign a head of time, so you are rteady to hit the ground running, when the NOFA is released. Remember, they have not stated that there will be any reward for deploying cheaper. But it is a listed goal, to seek plans that incourage additional investments. Again, that is a barrier, for WISPs that have already invested all their personal resources and capitol, and to attrack additional investors that will bring in operating cash, without the WISP giving their business away. Just remember the largest reason small WISPs have not received grants is that they never applied. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back to the monopoly world (read boondocks). Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. -RickG On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Charles Wu c...@cticonnect.com wrote: All I can say is if you are holding back on doing more installs because you can't afford it, you need to find some financing
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Yes, for the portion of your business that relates to the Grant proceeds. Some disclosure of financial statements would likely be required do to proving your need that you wouldn't do the upgrade without recieving the funds, or to prove your economic need, and your viablity for sustainabilty. But it would be up to you what you were willing to share. Accepting money does not give them the rights to your books, beyond showing compliance to grant terms. There will be a requirement to report deployed coverage down to the census block level, where using Grant proceeds, as well as your prices offered. For example, you would not be audited for prior non-related tax compliance. Auditors would audit grant compliance. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 10:15 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Will you have to open your books to the government if you take the money? -RickG On Tue, May 26, 2009 at 4:57 PM, Tom DeReggi wirelessn...@rapiddsl.net wrote: Scott, Here is the best advice I can give you. Rules are not published and nobody knows what will be the criteria for qualification or for actually winning the grants, and I'm not sure NTIA will really know either, even after they publish rules. I think the first allocation of funds will be somewhat a science project to see what type of applicants and applications are receieved. What you need to do is 1) identify the areas that you'd like to serve with grant money, if you got some. Don't overly plan, it will take to much time. Use some forward thinking :-) 2) Come up with a plan of how much additional cash you'd need beyond grant funds, to acheive the plan, if you won a grant for those areas. 3) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula before the NOFA and rules are released from NTIA/RUS, because it will be useless and inaccurate. 4) Don't expect anyone to give you a magic formula after teh NOFA and rules a released from NTIA/RUS, because by then there won't be anymore time left, and everyone will be scrambling to get their grants in with the SHORT deadline. The Legislative Committee is closely monitoring the progress regarding notices and comments released by NTIA/RUS as they are released. WISPA's Membership will be notified of this information and where to read details when it is released. In the meantime, you'll need to gamble, and bet on what you think will be the future rules. WISPs will be fighting against the grain so to speak, because our typical profile will not match the typical profile of the targeted awardee. But the good news is that NTIA/RUS are simplathetic to WISPs, and if they gave a grant to every pre-existing WISP, it really wouldn't be all that much money comparatively, to what is available. The biggest barrier is the reality that its most feasible for NTIA/RUS to award large grants, just because the sheer volume of it. However, I know for a fact, they are trying to come up with ways to include WISPs, within reality. Maybe we'll get lucky, and they'll allow smaller projects, that are well written, and justified. My advise is to do all the business case plannign a head of time, so you are rteady to hit the ground running, when the NOFA is released. Remember, they have not stated that there will be any reward for deploying cheaper. But it is a listed goal, to seek plans that incourage additional investments. Again, that is a barrier, for WISPs that have already invested all their personal resources and capitol, and to attrack additional investors that will bring in operating cash, without the WISP giving their business away. Just remember the largest reason small WISPs have not received grants is that they never applied. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 12:27 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Charles is right 100%, and he is being as proactive as any VAR (including DR and ourselves... Charles did a WiNOG on this not to long ago) trying to figure the mess out so you can get the money (hopefully you'll spend it with us right!). Here is what I know (and I've done more research and had more conversations than I think I cared to): - No one knows where the money is going to go or who is going to get it. Some people think the States are going to get all the money, others that Fiber will get all of the money, Telco's will get it, only people that have received RUS funding in the past will get it, etc. No one has a clear idea of where the money is going, so it's hard to say what anyone can do to help you get the money except give you an idea of what the RUS process is like. - Realistically, the only (and best) thing WISPA can do is provide a forum for people to discuss what they are doing to get the money, and WISPA can help lobby the government to get the money into our hands. I wouldn't expect WISPA to provide a grant in a box widget :-) - Many people are arguing already that if you haven't already filed paperwork, you're not going to get any money. It's amazing how many people have already put in RUS applications to get this money, before the rules on who is going to get it has been defined! - There are a 1,000 people now that think they are going to get a million dollars from the Government to start a WISP... I'm afraid they are going to crash and burn Metricom style. So while an incumbent might be the better choice to get the money, the packages newcomers are putting together are pretty impressive. But I digress... because... - Personally, I'm going to be surprised if the WISP industry gets even 10% of the money... the sad thing being we can do much more with it than the people that probably will get it. Anyways, I wouldn't expect any reseller/distributor/trade organization to give you the secret sauce on how to get that money. Sure we are all doing research to try to help people get money, but it doesn't mean they will be right (I've seen some pretty interesting ideas on who/how people are going to get money... some that I've wanted to laugh at). So I would start looking at filling out some of the RUS paperwork, and gathering as much information as you can. In the long run, if you want the money, YOUR going to have to go get it... everyone else can help though :-) Daniel White 3-dB Networks http://www.3dbnetworks.com -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Charles Wu Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:46 PM To: sarn...@info-ed.com; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Hi Scott, What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. From someone who's successfully navigated this process in various iterations, the process of putting in an application for government funding (be it RUS/NTIA/etc) is something that's measured in inches of thickness of paper and months (or years) of labor -- at the last ISPCON, Donny Bell, a WISP out of Minnesota mentioned that he spent in excess of $250k in time / effort / manpower / legal fees for his first RUS loan application -- and was denied! Keep in mind too, if you take a look at the comments on the stimulus funding, there were thousands of comments (and many from people with deep pockets and plenty of lawyers and DC lobbying) -- the competition for this money will be, IMO, incredibly stiff and will require a full- time expensive, sustained effort if you even want to have a chance to win I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect $250 / year in dues to provide you a turn-key solution for grant funding That said, for your information -- here's a link to the latest in BTOP updates: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program- planprogram_id=5517#schedule -Charles -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
At the end of the day, the agencies giving out the money have to give out a lot of money in a very short period of time. To achieve this they plan on dividing up the allocations across a variety of other entities for help as well as allocating large sums to individual companies. This means applications for small amounts of money just aren't going to be considered. Of course the flip side is that organizations submitting applications for larger amounts than they can actual handle are going to be denied as well. In other words, this whole process is self-selecting for large companies with resources. Now then... what do you need to be able to show to have any chance? Your application needs to be for a large amount of money say at least $25MM. Your company needs to have previously been awarded a grant for a broadband project. You need to have matching funds lined up ahead of time that cover not only the requirements of the grant, but also your overhead costs associated with ramping up to do the project. This is because you need to hire people to implement the project or it won't be shovel ready. Once you have the above then you will be just another application worthy of consideration. If you want to get to the top of the pile then you are going to need recommendations from your PUC/PSC, and/or congressman, and/or governor. Also, should you be submitting applications to RUS that plan on utilizing 3650, remember that Adelstein was a major proponent of 3650's hybrid licensing model. Do you have a large 3650 deployment? Is it compliant with the rules? -Matt On May 25, 2009, at 9:01 AM, 3-dB Networks wrote: Charles is right 100%, and he is being as proactive as any VAR (including DR and ourselves... Charles did a WiNOG on this not to long ago) trying to figure the mess out so you can get the money (hopefully you'll spend it with us right!). Here is what I know (and I've done more research and had more conversations than I think I cared to): - No one knows where the money is going to go or who is going to get it. Some people think the States are going to get all the money, others that Fiber will get all of the money, Telco's will get it, only people that have received RUS funding in the past will get it, etc. No one has a clear idea of where the money is going, so it's hard to say what anyone can do to help you get the money except give you an idea of what the RUS process is like. - Realistically, the only (and best) thing WISPA can do is provide a forum for people to discuss what they are doing to get the money, and WISPA can help lobby the government to get the money into our hands. I wouldn't expect WISPA to provide a grant in a box widget :-) - Many people are arguing already that if you haven't already filed paperwork, you're not going to get any money. It's amazing how many people have already put in RUS applications to get this money, before the rules on who is going to get it has been defined! - There are a 1,000 people now that think they are going to get a million dollars from the Government to start a WISP... I'm afraid they are going to crash and burn Metricom style. So while an incumbent might be the better choice to get the money, the packages newcomers are putting together are pretty impressive. But I digress... because... - Personally, I'm going to be surprised if the WISP industry gets even 10% of the money... the sad thing being we can do much more with it than the people that probably will get it. Anyways, I wouldn't expect any reseller/distributor/trade organization to give you the secret sauce on how to get that money. Sure we are all doing research to try to help people get money, but it doesn't mean they will be right (I've seen some pretty interesting ideas on who/how people are going to get money... some that I've wanted to laugh at). So I would start looking at filling out some of the RUS paperwork, and gathering as much information as you can. In the long run, if you want the money, YOUR going to have to go get it... everyone else can help though :-) Daniel White 3-dB Networks http://www.3dbnetworks.com -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless- boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Charles Wu Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:46 PM To: sarn...@info-ed.com; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Hi Scott, What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
WISPA did have a group of people that were attending meetings and trying to sway policy. The time schedule has just been published and hopefully rules and definitions will be firmed up shortly. WISPA could start delivering a facts sheet, Timeline and useful resources. WISPA should get vendors together to monetize the event as part of the communications effort. Maybe the board should think about a short term position to do this where someone makes some bucks managing this and the communications / opportunities for WISPA and the Members. Daniel, please don't start conversations with Charles is 100% right, Some of us are enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee and it could be dangerous to ourselves and equipment so early in the morning ;-) Dustin -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of 3-dB Networks Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 9:01 AM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Charles is right 100%, and he is being as proactive as any VAR (including DR and ourselves... Charles did a WiNOG on this not to long ago) trying to figure the mess out so you can get the money (hopefully you'll spend it with us right!). Here is what I know (and I've done more research and had more conversations than I think I cared to): - No one knows where the money is going to go or who is going to get it. Some people think the States are going to get all the money, others that Fiber will get all of the money, Telco's will get it, only people that have received RUS funding in the past will get it, etc. No one has a clear idea of where the money is going, so it's hard to say what anyone can do to help you get the money except give you an idea of what the RUS process is like. - Realistically, the only (and best) thing WISPA can do is provide a forum for people to discuss what they are doing to get the money, and WISPA can help lobby the government to get the money into our hands. I wouldn't expect WISPA to provide a grant in a box widget :-) - Many people are arguing already that if you haven't already filed paperwork, you're not going to get any money. It's amazing how many people have already put in RUS applications to get this money, before the rules on who is going to get it has been defined! - There are a 1,000 people now that think they are going to get a million dollars from the Government to start a WISP... I'm afraid they are going to crash and burn Metricom style. So while an incumbent might be the better choice to get the money, the packages newcomers are putting together are pretty impressive. But I digress... because... - Personally, I'm going to be surprised if the WISP industry gets even 10% of the money... the sad thing being we can do much more with it than the people that probably will get it. Anyways, I wouldn't expect any reseller/distributor/trade organization to give you the secret sauce on how to get that money. Sure we are all doing research to try to help people get money, but it doesn't mean they will be right (I've seen some pretty interesting ideas on who/how people are going to get money... some that I've wanted to laugh at). So I would start looking at filling out some of the RUS paperwork, and gathering as much information as you can. In the long run, if you want the money, YOUR going to have to go get it... everyone else can help though :-) Daniel White 3-dB Networks http://www.3dbnetworks.com -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Charles Wu Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 10:46 PM To: sarn...@info-ed.com; WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Hi Scott, What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. From someone who's successfully navigated this process in various iterations, the process of putting in an application for government funding (be it RUS/NTIA/etc) is something that's measured in inches of thickness of paper and months (or years) of labor -- at the last ISPCON, Donny Bell, a WISP out of Minnesota mentioned that he spent in excess of $250k in time / effort / manpower / legal fees for his first RUS loan application -- and was denied! Keep in mind too, if you take a look at the comments on the stimulus funding, there were thousands of comments (and many from people with deep pockets and plenty of lawyers and DC lobbying) -- the competition for this money will be, IMO, incredibly stiff and will require a full
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back to the monopoly world (read boondocks). Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. -RickG On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Charles Wu c...@cticonnect.com wrote: All I can say is if you are holding back on doing more installs because you can't afford it, you need to find some financing and get installing. Once that customer is installed with something else (DSL, Cable, competitor), it's 10x harder to get them to switch to you. You have to get the customers NOW. Now that's a more interesting discussion What's the business plan for customer acquisition? Do you still keep building out into unserved areas (e.g., first to market)? At this point, I would guess that most areas have competition - so then is the business model based upon arbitraging attrition and moves? e.g., the average American moves every 7 years - so that means 12% of the population is available yearly as a new customer So, say you have 5,000 customers in a market of 100,000 You'll churn 1% / month (50) - but there's a market of new adds of 1,000 customers every month due to just organic moving activity...so assuming 20% market share, market equilibrium would be 20,000 subscribers Not necessarily a bad thing =) That said, I'd be curious to talk about secret sauce methods to convert customers from the competition -Charles Charles Wu wrote: Hi Scott, Regarding debt...I've found that there's a scale inflection point in running a WISP (or any business for the matter) that needs to be reached -- the main purpose for taking on debt (because due to interest, you end up paying more in the longer term instead of buying cash), is to accelerate growth so one can progress beyond this point e.g., if you can organically fund 30 new installs a month with cash, if you take on debt, you could leverage yourself and now do 100 installs / month Now, from a business perspective -- in looking at the WISP As a stand-alone sustainable business -- it costs a minimum of about $30k / month to operate a small WISP -- now, I'll argue that that $30k/month in operations remains relatively constant and whether it's supporting 300, 800 or 1500 customers -- however, at 300 customers, the business is bleeding cash...at 800 customers the business is just about at a break-even, and at 1500 customers, the business is a cash machine -Charles -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.orgmailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Scott Reed Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 4:20 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] Quesiton on Funding / Financing / Capital Availability So I will take option 4 from a previous post since Travis made the point. Up to 60 months with $1 buyout is the same as a 5 year bank loan. I want to run debt free as soon a possible. That being the case I don't lease and have not leased to keep debt down. I do have a start-up loan that is being paid on a little slower than I would like, but we have paid off 1/2 of it in 5 years and based on our payments, we are cash flow positive. Granted, my WISP is a lot smaller than many that post here and our growth rate is small, but some of that is managing growth to stay cash-flow positive. I have seen several companies die because they became cash rich, but still could not cover the debt. Travis Johnson wrote: The banks can sell a car with little effort. They already have relationships with dealers and auctions. And often, if the consumer's
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
Hi Scott, What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. From someone who's successfully navigated this process in various iterations, the process of putting in an application for government funding (be it RUS/NTIA/etc) is something that's measured in inches of thickness of paper and months (or years) of labor -- at the last ISPCON, Donny Bell, a WISP out of Minnesota mentioned that he spent in excess of $250k in time / effort / manpower / legal fees for his first RUS loan application -- and was denied! Keep in mind too, if you take a look at the comments on the stimulus funding, there were thousands of comments (and many from people with deep pockets and plenty of lawyers and DC lobbying) -- the competition for this money will be, IMO, incredibly stiff and will require a full-time expensive, sustained effort if you even want to have a chance to win I think it's a bit unrealistic to expect $250 / year in dues to provide you a turn-key solution for grant funding That said, for your information -- here's a link to the latest in BTOP updates: http://www.recovery.gov/?q=content/program-planprogram_id=5517#schedule -Charles -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back to the monopoly world (read boondocks). Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. -RickG On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Charles Wu c...@cticonnect.com wrote: All I can say is if you are holding back on doing more installs because you can't afford it, you need to find some financing and get installing. Once that customer is installed with something else (DSL, Cable, competitor), it's 10x harder to get them to switch to you. You have to get the customers NOW. Now that's a more interesting discussion What's the business plan for customer acquisition? Do you still keep building out into unserved areas (e.g., first to market)? At this point, I would guess that most areas have competition - so then is the business model based upon arbitraging attrition and moves? e.g., the average American moves every 7 years - so that means 12% of the population is available yearly as a new customer So, say you have 5,000 customers in a market of 100,000 You'll churn 1% / month (50) - but there's a market of new adds of 1,000 customers every month due to just organic moving activity...so assuming 20% market share, market equilibrium would be 20,000 subscribers Not necessarily a bad thing =) That said, I'd be curious to talk about secret sauce methods to convert customers from the competition -Charles Charles Wu wrote: Hi Scott, Regarding debt...I've found that there's a scale inflection point in running a WISP (or any business for the matter) that needs to be reached -- the main purpose for taking on debt (because due to interest, you end up paying more in the longer term instead of buying cash), is to accelerate growth so one can progress beyond this point e.g., if you can organically fund 30 new installs a month with cash, if you take on debt, you could leverage yourself and now do 100 installs / month Now, from a business perspective -- in looking at the WISP As a stand-alone sustainable business -- it costs a minimum of about $30k / month to operate a small WISP -- now, I'll argue that that $30k/month in operations remains relatively constant and whether it's supporting 300, 800 or 1500 customers -- however, at 300 customers, the business is bleeding cash...at 800 customers the business is just about at a break-even, and at 1500 customers, the business is a cash machine -Charles -Original Message- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.orgmailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Scott Reed Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 4:20 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re:
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations?
You're looking at this all backward Scottie. WISPA isn't here to do for YOU. It's a mechanism that allows YOU to help the INDUSTRY which then also helps you.. This is a TRADE ASSOCIATION, not a buying group, purchasing group etc. Our main function in life is to make our industry better. Mainly that's done at the governmental level so far. Our ability to affect changes (or stop them) that help you out cost money and take time. You have to join (and get everyone else to as well) so that we have the funding and the man power to do what we have to do. Want to know what'll happen to us if we don't organize and STAY active? It's easy to see. Two words. Dial-up I don't want to go down that road. I helped form WISPA. I put in money and time. I don't even want to know how much time but I'll bet it's in the thousands over the years now. I've never gotten a pay check. In fact I'm not even an officer anymore. How's that for keeping it real! If you still want to play the me, me, me (big grin) card, you have to join wispa to get on the members only list. That's where all of the secret sauce discussions take place! (wicked maniacal laugh) marlon - Original Message - From: Scottie Arnett sarn...@info-ed.com To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Sent: Sunday, May 24, 2009 9:27 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Allocations? Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. What has WISPA came up with to help WISP's get in on the broadband stimulus package? Throw me some bait? As I promised before, my membership fees(after tax season) are sitting here... give me something to bite. Not being an A**, but I belonged to one place(not WISPA), but didn't get much out of it. I did receive an invitation from Double Radius to help me get in on this. Just wanting to know if WISPA got anything going on, before I jump on that opportunity? One of my regular suppliers that I trust. Scottie -- Original Message -- From: RickG rgunder...@gmail.com Reply-To: WISPA General List wireless@wispa.org Date: Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:41 -0400 I find the secret sauce of converting a customer a very interesting subject as well. For the most part nearly every WISP I have run had a monopoly. The ones that didnt had a niche of some kind. My first owner/operator venture was not good because it was in a highly competitive market and I could not overcome the go with the big company mentality. My customers said I gave great service but even they succumbed to price. Therefore, I sold that and went back to the monopoly world (read boondocks). Even here, I eventually expect competition to enter my market. It would be nice to know the secret sauce so I can be better prepared for that day. -RickG On Sun, May 24, 2009 at 9:33 AM, Charles Wu c...@cticonnect.com wrote: All I can say is if you are holding back on doing more installs because you can't afford it, you need to find some financing and get installing. Once that customer is installed with something else (DSL, Cable, competitor), it's 10x harder to get them to switch to you. You have to get the customers NOW. Now that's a more interesting discussion What's the business plan for customer acquisition? Do you still keep building out into unserved areas (e.g., first to market)? At this point, I would guess that most areas have competition - so then is the business model based upon arbitraging attrition and moves? e.g., the average American moves every 7 years - so that means 12% of the population is available yearly as a new customer So, say you have 5,000 customers in a market of 100,000 You'll churn 1% / month (50) - but there's a market of new adds of 1,000 customers every month due to just organic moving activity...so assuming 20% market share, market equilibrium would be 20,000 subscribers Not necessarily a bad thing =) That said, I'd be curious to talk about secret sauce methods to convert customers from the competition -Charles Charles Wu wrote: Hi Scott, Regarding debt...I've found that there's a scale inflection point in running a WISP (or any business for the matter) that needs to be reached -- the main purpose for taking on debt (because due to interest, you end up paying more in the longer term instead of buying cash), is to accelerate growth so one can progress beyond this point e.g., if you can organically fund 30 new installs a month with cash, if you take on debt, you could leverage yourself and now do 100 installs / month Now, from a business perspective -- in looking at the WISP As a stand-alone sustainable business -- it costs a minimum of about $30k / month to operate a small WISP -- now, I'll argue that that $30k/month in operations remains relatively constant and whether it's supporting 300, 800 or 1500
Re: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Link
www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants The rules won't be out for at least two more weeks, I expect them by the end of next month. The only new federal funding guidance out is for Community Connect. InLine vickie edwards, MPA | Grant Specialist InLine Connections Solutions Through Technology 600 Lakeshore Pkwy Birmingham AL, 35209 205-278-8106 [p] 205-941-1934[f] vedwa...@inline.com www.InLine.com All Quotes from InLine are only valid for 30 days. This message and any attached files may contain confidential information and are intended solely for the message recipient. If you are not the message recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission. If verification is required please request a hard-copy version. From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Gino Villarini Sent: Monday, April 27, 2009 6:57 PM To: Motorola Canopy User Group; WISPA General List Subject: [WISPA] Broadband Stimulus Link any good link for detailed info on the Stimulus plan? Gino A. Villarini g...@aeronetpr.com Aeronet Wireless Broadband Corp. tel 787.273.4143 fax 787.273.4145 WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
