Mark, Many of the points that you made were good points. However....
I agree that the game needs to change, if WISPs plan to benefit from it. But I don't think the answer is to be the Lone Ranger and push away potential government help, and leave it for competitors to go after. The largest thing I seek in NBP is Tax credits for those that have invested in wireless, that had much economic develoment value to the areas it was served.. I have a lot of animosity that I have spent more money on "broadband" to the needy in my County, than my County has. (PS. I live in one of the top 10 riches counties of America) If I got rich doing it I wouldn't care, but I don't. But the county is getting rich off all the new revenue that is taxed, becaues the businesses that I serve now have broadband to conduct business and be more efficient. The second thing I seek is very small business loans and guarantee programs (and matching fund grants) for people that have invested in economic development broadband products. I believe its the Government responsibilty to help make sure I succeed, for the good of the people that benefit from the services. Think about the value. Lets use an example of 300 business subs. Let say each office has say 10 employees. (3000 people served ). Now lets say each one of them makes $20 per hour. Thats $60,000 /hour to pay that labor. Now lets say my clients rely on Broadband to do their jobs. Now lets hypothetically think about the cost to regional businesses that I serve IF my network goes down for 1 hour. Thats right, business's in my County will lose $60,000 of productivity per hour that my network is down. Now lets think about if I go down for 1 week. The math says there would be approximately $10 million dollars of lost productivity if I shut my network down for a week. That is calculated based on the labor cost, not the labor retail rate. Do the math if someone values their tiem at $100/hour. What I'm getting at is that Broadband is worth way more than $39/month per subscriber. At that rate, a week of service to 300 people comes out to provider revenue of only $2,925. A PRovider is paid only $2925 for something worth over $10 million dollars to the businesses that it serves. That is an outrage. ISPs should be able to charge more. But we can't!!! Monopoly providers make it up in volume and cross subsidize to drive the price down to $39/month!!! These MOnoploy providers responsible for driving the price down refuse to serve the many underserved people that WISP end up being the only people willing to serve. So is it OK for WISPS to just say.... Oh well, I'll loose my ROI and Investment when times et tight, and the monopoly providers decide to eventually serve. (like they say... where ever wireless goes, DSL follows. They'll eventually serve). My point is WISPs solve a valuable purpose to the County and the economy, we should be thanked and rewarded. Asking for that does NOT mean I'm asking for hand outs for inefficient companies. What I'm asking for is some help, that is well deserved. What I'm saying is that providers might not survive without help. And if WISP providers don;t survive consumers will loose, and so will the County's Tax revenues. Its to there best interest to help us. The problem.... WISPS are to small to qualify for most funding and grant options. It shouldn't be that way. I believe that if we lobby, we should be able to get relief for very small business providers. There should be lots of programs for loans and grants not to exceed $50,000 or that to qualify one must not be over a certain size (maybe $1-5million a year in revenue?) At minmium, the SBA should have better loan guarantee programs for WISPs that really don;t have the strict qualificatiosn that they normally require. It really bothers me that goliath companies can get 4% interest loans from SBA, but small WISP who invested their life savings in their business, can't get credit for the value of their network and investment in it, to secure loans to expand it, because they are not considered credit worthy to traditional standards. I do not believe it is the Banker's problem to solve this. Banks have no economic advantage to our success, like the government does. Banks are in it for the profit and have the right to reduce risk. But the government does have interests at stake. They should be investing in the businesses of their community. I can give you a win on the arguement that it might not be beneficial to raise the speed definition of broadband. But I will not agree that its a bad idea to try and encourage teh government to help small WISP providers financially, in a way that it is easy to get. Being involved in groups like NBS will help lobby for the support small WISPs need, via grants, loans, tax incentives. Being open to the NBSCoalition's goal to want to increase speed efinition of Broadband is a small compromise. For example, what about the Free Upgrade Grant Program? The one where the government will reimburse small wisps for their investment in legacy gear, if they re-invest it to upgrade to state of the art gear, in-trade for allowing the definition of Broadband for fiber carriers to be expanded to a higher speed number? How about the "small business set aside program for RUS grants" program? You know the one where for every 1 dollar the RUS grants to a big company that a minimum of 25 cents will get granted to a "very small business" classified company. Or how about asking teh SBA to add a class to the definition of small business. SMALL business now means something like $50 milllion a year in revenue. Maybe its higher than that? ($250 million?) How about the under $5 million club? That get special programs for encouraging "diversity in Media ownership"? Everything in this country relating to Broadband is geared towards the mamonth business. That needs to be changed in the mentality of National Broadband Policy. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "WISPA General List" <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 04, 2008 2:06 AM Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article > But there's no reason why consumers should be FORCED to buy that. Public > financing does not reduce cost, it increases it by subsidizing > inefficiency > and overbuilding and hides the real cost. > > Don't think that they get it "cheap". They pay far more than we do, even > if > the monthly bill shows a lower "price". > > ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ > <insert witty tagline here> > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Tom DeReggi" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "WISPA General List" <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 5:05 PM > Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article > > >> Well thats kind of the point of consumer advocates. Consumer advocates >> are >> not against WISPs. >> They are against Cable Cos that deliver less bandwdith than they are >> capable >> of delivering to the public. >> If Broadband monoploies put less money in stock holder's pockets, and >> more >> money into infrastructure, they should easilly be able to deliver faster >> speeds. >> The rest of the world does. >> >> In many places in Europe, 10-20mbps DSL to the home is very common. >> >> The problem is, I can't disagree with consumer advocates. They are right. >> They should be able to get more, based on the capabilty of fiber >> technology >> today. >> unfortunately, that does not help WISPs. >> >> Tom DeReggi >> RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc >> IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "3-dB Networks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "'WISPA General List'" <[email protected]> >> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 5:11 PM >> Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article >> >> >>> Well if you look at this article looks like most people are getting less >>> than a meg anyways: >>> http://www.pcmag.com/print_article2/0,1217,a%253D234501,00.asp >>> >>> Makes me wonder how many DSL and Cable shops wouldn't be broadband >>> either >>> under the 10Mb rule.... even in Metro areas (around my area I don't >>> think >>> Comcast and Qwest quite get there consistently... maybe in new >>> neighborhoods) >>> >>> Daniel White >>> 3-dB Networks >>> >>>> -----Original Message----- >>>> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >>>> Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>>> Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 3:08 PM >>>> To: WISPA General List >>>> Subject: Re: [WISPA] Article >>>> >>>> That is a TERRIBLE idea. >>>> >>>> To chop our noses off for the chance to wallow at the DC trough? >>>> Please. >>>> >>>> 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... >>>> >>>> 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! >>>> >>>> >>>> ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ >>>> <insert witty tagline here> >>>> >>>> ----- 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! 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