I agree with Fred on this. I have read many of his statements on cybertelecom's email list. If you are an ISP, I strongly recommend that you join it off of < http://www.cybertelecom.org/ >
Since around 2002, maybe a little earlier, at the time of The Tauzin-Dingell Telecom Bill, the Congress, and the FCC pretty much did away with "line sharing" or the ability for us(ISP's) to use any lines provided by Ilec's(< http://www.manymedia.com/futures/tauzding.html >). After this it lead to the "Triennial Review." All this finally leads to the fact that the ILEC's do not even have to share their fiber. Fred may not agree with me on this, but as far as I can see it, the FCC and Congress have been out to do away with the small ISP's since around 2000. They have one agenda, that makes it even more sound is that in the last few months, the FCC has now classified broadband as 4 meg down/1 meg up. That not only has DE-classified many of the WISP as providing broadband, but also the satellite providers, and many DSL systems. I recently had an awakening, on the 2nd round BIP, that even though my company had coverage in the same area as a Rural Telco(Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative) they could apply for BIP, but I could not because they already had USDA funding as a Telco. Guess what? They received 16 million in grants and also received 16 million in low cost loans to provide FTTH in my coverage area. Call me what you will, but the FCC and everything behind them only want the duopoly of cable and telco to deal with. We are just pissing in the wind and it is why I have not joined WISPA yet. I may be missing the boat, but I am waiting for WISPA to prove me wrong. I have seen beyond and experienced beyond the norm. Show me something that I can have faith(and provide financial incentives) in or I will stay exactly where I am at and look for other income. Scottie Arnett Info-Ed, Inc. > At 7/29/2010 08:01 AM, Brian wrote: >>Hit me off list and I can offer some suggestions. > > As I mentioned, the 75% rule only applies to wireline providers > (i.e., cable), so mapping WISP coverage buys nothing. > > The Boucher-Terry bill has nothing in it to help WISPs and plenty to > hurt them, including a rather high tax to support your competitors. > > > >>Brian >> >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On >>Behalf Of RickG >>Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2010 11:24 PM >>To: WISPA General List >>Subject: Re: [WISPA] USF Reform Bill Introduced - The most compelling >> reason >>to document and map your network coverage ever >> >>I'd like to but I dont know where to begin and with my limited time I >>cant even try to figure it out. >> >>On Wed, Jul 28, 2010 at 12:37 PM, Brian Webster >><bwebs...@wirelessmapping.com> wrote: >> > Steve Coran just posted the message below to the WISPA FCC committee >> list. >>I >> > took particular note to the following statement: >> > >> > >> > >> > - would reduce or deny support to wireline incumbents in areas where >> at >> > least 75% of households can receive voice and broadband from a >> competitive >> > provider that does not receive support >> > >> > >> > >> > Now the way I read the above statement is that if a WISP covers 75% of >> a >> > current USF recipients service area, there will no longer be >> eligibility >>to >> > receive USF funds. Remember if they have broadband they also have >> access >>to >> > many VOIP providers even if you do not provide VOIP services. Vonage >> and >> > Skype come to mind, not to mention cellular coverage. This would be a >> huge >> > factor in leveling the playing field for WISP's in rural markets! I >> cannot >> > see a more compelling reason to document and map your networks than >> this. >> > Not only will it prevent yet another subsidized competitor from coming >> in >>to >> > your service area, but it will also erode funding for any Telco who >> > currently receives USF in your markets. This would bring wireless as a >> > delivery method to the forefront because there are then no artificial >> > revenue streams subsidizing the cost to deliver last mile service. We >> all >> > know that wireless has the least cost per household passed in low >> density >> > markets. >> > >> > >> > >> > There are many ways to document and map your coverage areas. First and >> > foremost though is that you should file the Form 477 as required. Next >> one >> > should map their network with an accurate service area where you would >> > confidently offer service. This can be done many ways (including >> paying me >> > to do it). This also shows a very important reason to be participating >> in >> > your state broadband mapping efforts. I would expect that those state >> maps >> > will become one of the major verification sources to establish the 75% >> > coverage. The FCC 477 database will probably become another >> verification >> > source. If you are listed in both of them it would be very hard for >>someone >> > to say you don't exist and don't offer coverage in their areas. >> > >> > >> > >> > One of the downsides to this bill is that all broadband providers will >> be >> > required to contribute to the fund. My gut feeling though is that if >>WISP's >> > were accurately mapped and documented it would show so much less of >> the US >> > is unserved by broadband and thus the required funding through USF to >> get >>it >> > there will be much less. >> > >> > Brian >> > >> > ---------------------------------- >> > >> > >> > >> > Last week, Reps. Boucher (D-VA) and Terry (R-NE) introduced >> legislation >>that >> > would reform the Universal Service Fund. The Press Release, Overview, >> > Section by Section summary and text of the bill are available at this >>link: >> > >> > >>http://www.boucher.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1579&; >>Itemid=122 >> > >> > >> > >> > I have not read these documents, but plan to do so soon. A few >> highlights >> > that the trade press has noted: >> > >> > - would reduce or deny support to wireline incumbents in areas >> where >>at >> > least 75% of households can receive voice and broadband from a >> competitive >> > provider that does not receive support >> > >> > - FCC would create cost model that includes broadband in figuring >> > support models >> > >> > - competitive bidding among wireless carriers for USF support >> > >> > - no more than two wireless CETCs could get support in the same >> area >> > >> > - carriers would have 5 years to provide broadband throughout >> their >> > service areas, or would lose support >> > >> > - all broadband providers would pay into USF to expand >> contribution >>base >> > >> > - FCC to decide appropriate speed for broadband >> > >> > >> > >> > Rep. Boucher has said that the bill is on his "front burner" and that >> he >> > wants to get the legislation passed this Fall. Please feel free to >>comment >> > on-list AFTER you've reviewed the documents so that you can promote >> > education of the WISPA membership and help shape whatever position >> WISPA >>may >> > wish to take as the bill works its way through Congress. Thanks. >> > >> > >> > >> > Stephen E. Coran >> > >> > Rini Coran, PC >> > >> > 1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600 >> > >> > Washington, D.C. 20036 >> > >> > 202.463.4310 - voice >> > >> > 202.669.3288 - cell >> > >> > 202.296.2014 - fax >> > >> > sco...@rinicoran.com - e-mail >> > >> > www.rinicoran.com >> > >> > www.telecommunicationslaw.com >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >>---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >>---- >> > WISPA Wants You! 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