Use the FCC web site to get the census block (or use Brian's service). punch the numbers into the Excel file. Done. It took me under a minute per customer to do the first one that had census block information.
Sure, long ago it was a bit more complicated, but I still filed. They responded with how I messed up and explained how to fix it. I at least tried. No one has an excuse to not try. ----- Mike Hammett Intelligent Computing Solutions http://www.ics-il.com -------------------------------------------------- From: "Marlon K. Schafer" <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2009 10:10 AM To: "WISPA General List" <[email protected]> Cc: "WISPA Board Members List" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [WISPA] USF changes? > Brian could not have said this better. > > We have GOT to file the 477's these days. Yes it's non of the > government's > business. But they WILL act on what they learn. What's better, getting > shot in the foot or getting shot in the head? Either way, the gun WILL go > off. As the Rush song says, "If you choose not to decide, you still have > made a choice!" I choose the foot :-). > > Many of you here will remember some of us telling you that not filing will > hurt us in the long run. Now we've got $7B in "free" money floating > around, > most if it headed for OUR back yards and to our COMPETITORs. > > Like it or not, the government's only real measure of what's going on out > there is the 477. It sucks, but it's reality. > > I'm going to suggest that the board look at hiring someone to help first > time filers figure the process out. If we can get another thousand or two > WISPs to file the 477 it'll do amazing things for our credibility. More > than any lobbying efforts we could possibly put forth otherwise. > > The next filing time line is the July-December 09 period, due sometime > after > Jan 1st. Even flooding the FCC with attempts to file will say a lot. > > Thoughts? > marlon > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Brian Webster" <[email protected]> > To: "WISPA General List" <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 11:28 AM > Subject: Re: [WISPA] USF changes? > > >> 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! >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >> >>> >> >>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>> >> >> WISPA Wants You! 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