Mark, Comments inline:
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: > That is a TERRIBLE idea. I don't see obtaining a seat at the table which is defining future policy for broadband in the US a terrible idea. Not participating would do our industry much more disservice than participating. > > To chop our noses off for the chance to wallow at the DC trough? Please. I just looked in the mirror, my nose is still intact! I didn't even OINK today. :) > > It would be far more in our favor if we could get better tax treatment on > capital investment, if there were easier rules to deal with trading shares > of our companies to investors, if we had gaurantees that we would not be > mandated to do anything expensive, so we could have some kind of confidence > in our business models... Actually, tax incentives were a major discussion point for operators who make investment in broadband networks. I'll take the rest of this paragraph to heart as I proceed wallowing in the trough. > > Those are FAR more conducive to the success of all of us, than to put a > majority of us outside the standard of 'broadband' in return for a handful > sucking at the taxpayer teat in DC - We're all taxpayers, get off my back > already! Boosting the statistical average speed of broadband in the US will benefit the whole economy. With the majority of the population living in metropolitan areas, I would see the bar being raised in these areas much sooner than it will affect rural areas. That being said, I will be seeking funding for new research for faster wireless technologies to assist WISPs in achieving the highest speeds possible. I believe there will be a multiplier affect of dollars invested in broadband infrastructure. Enabling businesses and people to be more efficient will definitely boost the economy more than giving tax rebate checks back as part of an economic stimulus plan. The group reached a solid consensus that investing in broadband infrastructure would be one of the wisest uses of tight capital as it would create revenue in multiples of the original investment in all industry sectors. Respectively, Rick Harnish > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Tom DeReggi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "WISPA General List" <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 1:59 PM > Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article > > >>I agree, and one of my concerns with the coalition, is that defining >> broadband as 10mbps would be bad for WISPs. >> Rick is aware of these concerns. Please recognize that being a member of >> teh >> Coalition does not mean we endorse all their initial ideas for policies. >> It simply means we endorse the intent of the group, to work togeather to >> compromise and debate the best national broadband policy. >> WISPA being a member of the group is what allows WISPA to influence and >> educate the group on WISPs, and one issue to heavilly push influence, is >> to >> change their viewpoint on the minimum speed qualified as Broadband. 10mbps >> is way to high, and if that position stayed long term, I'd probably >> eventually have to drop endorsement for the group. >> But I believe raising teh requirement for "broadband" above DSL typical >> speed is critical, in order to help get WISP's grants and and Tax >> incentives. >> If we can disqualify typical DSL as Broadband (sub 3 mbps), it opens the >> door wide open to call so many more markets "underserved" and worthy to >> invest in WISP's deployment of such markets. >> >> >> Tom DeReggi >> RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc >> IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "WISPA General List" <[email protected]> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:40 PM >> Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article >> >> >>> And which telco is this going to bail out? Money from Congress to >>> industry = pay off Unions for votes. >>> >>> We will never, ever, ever, ever qualify. >>> >>> Another headliner article I read on this will redefine "broadband" as >>> over >>> 10 Meg. >>> >>> Nothing like disqualifying almost the entire WISP industry... >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >>> <insert witty tagline here> >>> >>> ----- Original Message ----- >>> From: "Rick Harnish" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> To: "'WISPA General List'" <[email protected]> >>> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 11:20 AM >>> Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article >>> >>> >>>> Jeff, >>>> >>>> Just to let you know, I am in Washington DC this week participating in >>>> the >>>> events below. WISPA has signed on as a supporter of the Call to Action >>>> to >>>> define the Nationwide Broadband Strategy. It was great to see all the >>>> players of the Broadband Industry working together to attempt to bring >>>> the >>>> US back up to the top of the Broadband Access ladder. It will be a busy >>>> three months while this strategy is defined and presented to the Obama >>>> Administration. >>>> >>>> Respectfully, >>>> >>>> Rick Harnish >>>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >>>> Behalf Of Jeff Broadwick >>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 1:21 PM >>>> To: 'WISPA General List' >>>> Subject: [WISPA] Article >>>> >>>> http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/02/AR2008120203 >>>> 164_pf.html >>>> >>>> New Coalition Drawing Up Nationwide Broadband Access Strategy >>>> >>>> By Cecilia Kang >>>> Washington Post Staff Writer >>>> Wednesday, December 3, 2008; D03 >>>> >>>> President-elect Barack Obama has said getting affordable high-speed >>>> Internet >>>> service to every American home would create jobs, fuel economic growth >>>> and >>>> spark innovation. Yesterday, representatives from technology and >>>> telecommunications companies, labor unions and public interest groups >>>> frequently at odds with one another agreed to provide the next president >>>> with a roadmap for how to accomplish those goals. >>>> >>>> That map could include tax breaks, low-interest loans, subsidies and >>>> public-private partnerships to encourage more investments in upgrading >>>> and >>>> building out high-speed networks, representatives from Google, AT&T and >>>> public interest group Free Press said during a panel discussion on >>>> broadband >>>> policy that also served as a coming-out party for their newly formed >>>> coalition. >>>> >>>> The details of how to meet those goals still must be worked out by the >>>> group, whose aim is to bring more affordable high-speed Internet access >>>> to >>>> every consumer. >>>> >>>> Many of the group members have been at odds with each other on whether >>>> the >>>> government should set limits on how much spectrum a company can hold, >>>> the >>>> use of unlicensed devices on fallow broadcast airwaves and net >>>> neutrality -- >>>> the notion that network operators should be prevented from blocking or >>>> slowing Internet traffic. The formation of the group is an effort to >>>> move >>>> beyond their differences. >>>> >>>> "The coalition is a positive in that it demonstrates we agree that we >>>> have >>>> a >>>> broadband problem, which not everyone was willing to admit to two years >>>> ago," said Ben Scott, policy director at Free Press and a member of the >>>> group. "The key is whether we'll see this group produce policy solutions >>>> that will require difficult choices." >>>> >>>> At stake is the nation's ability to compete technologically and >>>> economically, the group said. The United States has dropped from the top >>>> 10 >>>> nations for broadband access, speeds and price in the last several >>>> years. >>>> The coalition is pushing for a federal plan that would provide access to >>>> high-speed Internet service, much as the government did with >>>> electricity, >>>> roads and phone service. >>>> >>>> Obama famously used the Internet for outreach during his campaign and >>>> received 370,000 donations online. He's proposed using blogs, social >>>> networking tools and community Web pages known as wikis to connect >>>> citizens >>>> to government agencies. And Obama has argued for massive upgrades to >>>> technology infrastructure such as high-speed, or broadband, Internet. >>>> >>>> So far the coalition's plans to increase broadband usage mirrors Obama's >>>> plan, but there could be disagreement over deployment, analysts said. >>>> >>>> Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen said the union >>>> supports a proposal by Sen. John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) to increase >>>> definitions for broadband to 10 megabits per second for downloads by >>>> 2010. >>>> The current definition for broadband speed in the United States is 768 >>>> kilobits per second downstream, which is far below standards in many >>>> other >>>> nations. >>>> >>>> Achieving that goal at prices acceptable to consumers, however, would be >>>> expensive for telecom and cable network operators. Some in the coalition >>>> could push for laws that would achieve lower prices and higher speeds >>>> through more wireless and telecom competitors, but that could cause >>>> further >>>> disagreement among members, Scott said. >>>> >>>> Some have already suggested requesting funds from the federal economic >>>> stimulus plan for broadband deployment. Yesterday, an aide to House >>>> Speaker >>>> Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Pelosi was in favor of that idea. >>>> >>>> AT&T chief lobbyist Jim Cicconi said the company has moved closer to the >>>> view of public interest groups and Google that the Web should be open >>>> for >>>> all users without discrimination of technology and content on their >>>> network. >>>> But unlike Free Press and consumer groups, AT&T opposes new laws or >>>> rules >>>> on >>>> net neutrality, saying Federal Communications Commission rules are >>>> sufficient, and any violation should be handled on a case-by-case basis. >>>> >>>> "There will be significant outstanding debates that will be very tough >>>> and >>>> there will still be daylight between the groups on many, many issues," >>>> said >>>> Rebecca Arbogast, an analyst at investment firm Stifel Nicolaus. "But >>>> both >>>> sides are in a phase right now where they are emphasizing how much they >>>> share in terms of their views on what is an appropriate framework for >>>> looking at this issue." >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> Jeff Broadwick >>>> Sales Manager, ImageStream >>>> 800-813-5123 x106 (US/Can) >>>> +1 574-935-8484 x106 (Int'l) >>>> +1 574-935-8488 (Fax) >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>> ---- >>>> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>>> http://signup.wispa.org/ >>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>>> ---- >>>> >>>> WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] >>>> >>>> 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: [email protected] >>>> >>>> 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: [email protected] >>> >>> 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. >>> Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.9.13/1826 - Release Date: >>> 12/3/2008 >>> 9:34 AM >>> >>> >> >> >> >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >> http://signup.wispa.org/ >> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >> >> >> WISPA Wireless List: [email protected] >> >> 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: [email protected] > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ Rick Harnish General Manager - Midwest Region Great American Broadband -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! 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