OK, I've been putting some thought into this bailout mess we find ourselves
in.
The agencies have almost no time to design a program, take applications,
distribute money and audit the results.
I'll be surprised if they aren't forced to accept a basic outline of a plan
drawn on a Denny's napkin.
What will the easiest and safest way to go as a government employee? Just
shoot most of the money out to the people that you already know. Even
though you've already sent 6 billion out the door to that same group (BTW,
we should use that number as a big reason why they should radically change
their models). No one will get in trouble for sticking with what's known,
and there's not nearly enough time to study the issue, accept public input
etc. etc. etc.
I don't know if we'll ever get the chance to give our input to the agencies
involved. (I know WISPA and many of us individually will sure be working on
that though!!!) But if we do, what should we push for? The more of us push
in the same direction the more we'll be able to move the agencies out of
their historic ruts.
Some of the things that I think would help a company like mine deal with the
grants. Heck, even want the grants. (The last time I even considered one
was in 2001, too many strings.)
No strings attached. Accept the plan laid out, look at the goals of the
plan and approve or disapprove based on that. (We need more and better
broadband out here, but we do NOT need computer centers!)
Allow basic plans. There isn't time for us to figure this out down to
the last nut and bolt either. I have a plan to build new towers in many
locations. Some will be near existing buildings that are used for towers
now, others will have to be in totally new locations. It'll take time to
buy/lease ground. I might have to move my locations by great distances.
Allow labor to be paid. If I can grow/update my network I'll need to
hire some help. I won't be able to do enough new installs or upgrades to
get it all done quickly.
Fund small businesses at 100%. If I had the ability to get more money
(for matching funds) I'd have already used it to deploy more coverage to
more users.
Allow funding to purchase the tools needed to expand. If I get another
installation crew running I'll need a rig for them. They'll need some
training etc.
Allow the specifics of a deployment to change if need be. As long as
the original goal is still being met.
Money will need to be sent out in advance. Lets say that a company gets
a $1m grant. They need $100k to $200k in the bank at all times. This will
allow is to get cash with order deals, adjust for changing opportunities
etc. We'll also be able to move MUCH more quickly than we otherwise would.
Tie grant funds to the 477. If a company can prove that it's already
been in the broadband industry and has already been serving customers they
should be empowered to do more of what they already do. They'd have the
greatest chance of success over the long haul.
Do NOT fund startups. The Muni Wireless industry's pitiful results
should demonstrate that most of the "big thinkers" just don't get the
market. Let those that are already successful expand on what they are
already able to accomplish.
Make sure that most of the money goes to small business. The goal here
is to create jobs. 90%+ of America's economy revolves around small
business. Many more jobs will be created and the money used more
efficiently (as seen in the historical record) by small businesses.
Fund operations for x (3 to 5?) years. We can build the networks today,
but we can't create users today. It will take time to sign them up. It
will take time for them to maximize their new efficiencies with the new
technologies (or upgraded technologies) that we'll install.
What does the borg think? How do we get in front of the agencies as they
create their programs? What do we ask for? How do we justify it?
After talking to Steve Coran on Friday he thinks that we won't know ANYTHING
about what we'll be able to do for a week or two yet. Then who knows how
long (or even if) we'll have to give our input and what input are they going
to be willing to accept?
Personally I am far more stressed out by sitting here doing nothing than I
am with the idea that I'll waste some time building a position that will
have to be modified or tossed completely out. I see more potential upside
to have many of our wants, needs, and desires fleshed out ahead of time than
I do in potential downside. I don't have a lot of time available, but I do
have little snippets here and there. I don't have a problem doing some
foundation work while I wait for my family to wake up on a Sat. morn.
laters,
marlon
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