Community Broadband Networks Why Local Governments Matter

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Community Broadband Networks Why Local
Governments Matter

• W2I Digital Cities Convention
• Washington, D.C.
• December 11, 2007
• Kenneth S. Fellman
• Kissinger Fellman, P.C.

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Why Local Governments Matter

• Sorry State of Broadband in the US
• Many communities dont have it
• Where we do have it.
• Its slow
• Its expensive
• Its not very competitive

3
Barriers to Entry

• Industry We dont like them
• (Some) States We dont like them
• Unless..
• ..theyre imposed on those pesky local
  governments!

4
Whats the Policy Goal Here, Anyway?!

• Federal, State and Local Governments should work
  together (what a concept!)
• With the telecom industry
• With the business community
• With the educational community
• With the health care community
• With non-profits and other public groups

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Regionalism and Wireless Networks an example
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Colorado Wireless Communities What is it?

• Regional Wireless Broadband Community Initiative
• 600K Population
• 240,000 HHs
• 137 Square miles of coverage area

• Arvada
• Boulder
• Broomfield
• Golden
• Lakewood
• Louisville
• Northglenn
• Superior
• Thornton
• Wheat Ridge

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Colorado Wireless Communities What is it?

• History, Process, Structure
• Began as informal exploration
• Summer 2006 5 cities completed community
  Feasibility studies
• Fall 2006 Other communities joined, all signed
  a Memorandum of Understanding
• Developed RFP released in Jan. 2007
• IGA signed creating formal, intergovernmental
  agency

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Why Cities are Exploring Broadband Networks

• Recognition of the connection between broadband
  infrastructure and community well-being
• Economic Development
• Small, medium-sized businesses
• Mobile workers
• Efficient and Effective Government
• Field workers, public safety, remote data,
  phone/radio service
• Social Issues Digital Inclusion
• Changing lifestyle and work style expectations

9
Why Cities are Exploring Broadband Networks

• Cities have ownership and/or access to vertical
  assets
• Some have fiber availability to offer
• Attraction of increased competition, more
  consumer choices, and changing use patterns

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Benefits of a Regional Approach (City Perspective)

• Critical mass for best proposals from best
  providers (600,000 pop., 137 sq. miles)
• Improves business case
• Increases likelihood for long-term relationship
• Increases likelihood for financially strong and
  stable provider
• Strengthens overall position of communities and
  users of network
• Developing trend around the Country (Long Island,
  Silicon Valley, others)

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Benefits of a Regional Approach (Provider
Perspective)

• One clear, consistent process for entering a
  regional market
• Single Right-of-way permitting process for all
  ten jurisdictions
• Facilitation of access to light poles
• Facilitation of access to identified City assets
• Potential for expansion of the CWC
• Creates structure and framework moving forward

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Timing is Everything

• Market adjustment just about at time of RFP
  responses
• Impacted number and type of responses
• Still found private sector partner with unique
  elements in business plan
• Status contract negotiations underway

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Bottom Line

• Local Governments are part of the market
• Local Governments are advocates for the best
  interests of their citizens
• Local Governments should be seen as partners in
  broadband deployment efforts
• We are more effective when we work together

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• Thank You!
• For more information
• Ken Fellman
• 3773 Cherry Creek North Drive, Suite 900
• Denver, Colorado 80209
• 303-320-6100
• kfellman_at_kandf.com