Brian, Connected Nation got $5million twice. Why shouldn't WISPs and Webster Wireless mapping? There is a huge advantage to apply for the grant as a non-profit, and then contracting it out to a commercial company like wireless mapping, or joint application.
There are two steps... Identifying the grant opportunity. Applying for the opportunity. You should definately be looking for the grant opportunity. When that is identified, I bet we can all put our minds togeather to get the grant written. I would heavilly offer support for WISPA to be involved and supportive of the relationship. Are there existing programs? Or do we need to wait for Stimulus package to launch? I'd also recommend WISPA vendor member consultants to get involved writing grants for "training" and "education". I believe there was some provisions for that in the bill. But I don't remember exactly, because I was not focusing on that. For example, I'd love the mapping studies to approved for WISPs investgiating coverage of areas, regardless of whether someone end up qualifying for the service area for a grant. There could also be an education peice, for WISPA itself to get a grant. For example, if WISPA wanted to be an offical source for educating the puiblic over the next year, on how WISPs can help. Possibly a good way to fund ED type staff positions. I hope the grant committee, will keep an open eye for all possibilities. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Webster" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>; "WISPA List" <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 10:32 AM Subject: [WISPA] Free Coverage maps? --- An idea > What if WISPA were to secure a grant for say $300,000 as part of the > stimulus package? For that money I would do proper RF mapping as a one > shot > deal for every WISP who wanted to in the next year. I would also build a > proper map server with a database that indicates which areas are covered > by > which WISP's and web enable the application. > > All the RF studies would go in to the National WISP Map (replacing the > circles being used now). The map data would be shared with the USDA and > any > other entity charged with giving out loans or money to deploy rural > broadband in areas that are supposedly not served. > > WISPA would look good as a unifying organization for the industry. > > WISP's would benefit in that they would not have taxpayer funded projects > come in as competitors. They would also have a free source of leads > because > this tool would be used by the consumer to look for service. > > The consumer would benefit because they would have one place to look for > service for ALL WISP's. > > The industry would win because we can do proper demographic studies and > compete against Telco's and Cable Companies in legislative actions. > > This would not mean perpetual free mapping for WISP's, just a one time > full > network map. > > For those WISP's who do not want their network data to be known, you will > be > in a much worse position when competition comes in to your market with > free > money to build from the taxpayer. Right now the cellular/PCS industry is > grabbing all the money they can claiming they can serve the rural markets > with high speed internet. While they are free to build out, they should > not > be getting money under the premise that an area has no broadband if indeed > they do. The only way to stop this is to SHOW the people in the government > areas have broadband! > > Thoughts? > > > Thank You, > Brian Webster > www.wirelessmapping.com > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > 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: 270.10.16/1925 - Release Date: > 1/30/2009 7:37 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/
