The problem as I see it is that we are arguing the chicken and the egg.
While I understand why a WISP would not necessarily want to disclose their
network footprint, it has become very obvious that not disclosing the
information has created more harmful situations (BTOP/BIP funding as one
example) than would have been lost by letting the information out. The
legislative climate and the rate of change on broadband policy is so rapid
today, that waiting for some incentive to provide the information, to me is
more risk than disclosing the information. The FCC is indeed in the process
of looking at some of the ideas you mention in your email. It's happening
TODAY and policy/opinion/legislation is being crafted based on information
they can get their hands on now or in the very near future. I have been
contacted by the FCC about mapping broadband on a granular level and in
those conversations, USF reform was mentioned as one of the uses for the
mapping information. They already have a major data analysis company under
contract doing the modeling and considerations for USF reforms. The mapping
information will be a HUGE input and factor in some of the answers they will
derive from their studies. Many of these answers will be formulated in the
next 6 months or less. Waiting for legislative efforts to create incentive
to provide the information will more than likely be too late for the WISP
industry.
Creating this data and just giving it away is a huge burden on a WISP
no doubt, but competing with a rural telco who might be able, under USF
reforms, to get subsidies for their DSL lines as well as the voice lines
they get now, will certainly make it much tougher for a WISP to compete in a
rural market. Right now wireless enjoys a big advantage in the cost per
subscriber to deploy compared to others. The FCC knows this. They are also
dealing with a congress who is influenced by strong telco and cable lobby
groups. The WISP industry has none of that and what is worse, they have no
comprehensive data put together to help the FCC defend any position that
might give WISP's a stab at USF funding. If they have no hard data they have
a very difficult time rebutting any claims the the cable and telco industry
claim. Yet another good reason the WISP industry should be filing the Form
477 data
Thank You,
Brian Webster
On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 2:06 PM, Tom DeReggi <[email protected]>wrote:
> Brian,
>
> I argue to push legislation to give benefit to providers to map their data,
> so its a no brainer to cooperate.
> A Map is not needed to suggest and conclude USF reform.
> A Map is needed implemen new USF rules, such as tocollect USF funds, and
> block recipients from collecting funds.
>
> I hardly see the benefit in giving away to the coverage information without
> first being given the benefit of giving it away.
>
> The first step is get legislation to include broadband as eligible
> recipients.
> And step two is to get legislation to include that USF funds wont be given
> to entities that are alread y served by wireless technology.
> And Step3 is to get legislation to include what criteria considers an area
> adequately served by wireless technology.
> Or Step4 - to create the equivellent of a ILEC, for a wireless provider.
> Shouldn't there be a WiLEC status? :-)
>
> When Feds give us good reason to disclose our coverage, backed by passed
> good legislation, I assure you WISPs will be first in line to give it.
>
> Have the feds tell usthey wont give grants to new entrants where there is
> already a WISP, unless to that pre-existing WISP, and I assure you WISPs
> will flood the info to you.
> But with legislation like, WISP must serve 60% of an areas to disqualify
> others, there is hardly a call to action to provide information. Providing
> that information just makes it easier for other applicants to serve our
> areas.
>
> Tom DeReggi
> RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc
> IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Brian Webster" <[email protected]>
> To: <[email protected]>; "WISPA General List" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 1:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [WISPA] USF changes?
>
>
> > The FCC understands it very well. The problem is that WISP's are not well
> > known as far as where, how many, and what speeds they serve......ever
> > wonder
> > why they have been pushing the Form 477? This yet another example of how
> > trying to stay under the Radar is going to come back and bite the
> industry
> > in the butt. Who knows, if they do a good job of USF reform and a WISP is
> > in
> > a very rural area, they may be entitled to RECEIVE USF funds on a monthly
> > basis. But of course if we cannot quantify the WISP industry and/or show
> a
> > good coverage area, the policy makers will have no choice but to make
> > decisions based on what they have in front of them for
> > information.....maybe
> > it's time to dust off the National WISP map again and do another push to
> > improve that.
> >
> >
> > Thank You,
> > Brian Webster
> >
> >
> >
> > On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 11:55 AM, Scottie Arnett
> > <[email protected]>wrote:
> >
> >> And they forgot all about the other ISP's out there. They are leaving it
> >> up
> >> to the telcos to supply the demand! Do they(The FCC) not understand that
> >> other companies besides the telcos and cable companies offer Internet
> >> access?
> >>
> >> Scott
> >>
> >> ---------- Original Message ----------------------------------
> >> From: RickG <[email protected]>
> >> Reply-To: WISPA General List <[email protected]>
> >> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 23:49:39 -0500
> >>
> >> >Warning: "The bill also drew early praise from AT&T"
> >> >
> >> >On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 9:10 PM, Blair Davis <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> http://www.internetnews.com/infra/article.php/3847366/Lawmakers+Float+Bill+to+Boost+Rural+Broadband.htm
> >> >>
> >> >> I'm not sure I need any more gov. interference!
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
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