Tuesday, November 24, 2009
First and foremost: bravo! Twice in one year we've reported on the federal government soliciting feedback from the business community on its plans for the future (the last time being when the NTIA requested feedback on rural broadband). There's something heart-warming to see government working in such a way.

Yes, indeed, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking for comments from for-profit businesses, non-profit organizations, and economic development programs around the nation. As congress prepares to hear a bill next February on the FCC's famed Broadband Plan, the commission is going to dig deep for some hard numbers to back up their proposed needs for the nation.

Specifically, the FCC is asking about what does exist and what would be required. Can people access broadband at libraries and community colleges? If so, are they. And if not, what level of broadband is needed in a rural community in order to actually attract new business--and thereby jobs--to that community? What bitrates are required? Redundancy? And, on the docket we also find the question: is wireless broadband a viable solution?

As we consider how to get broadband access to the rural areas of the United States, there's an obvious economic incentive to go wireless--no, not just the stimulus money. It's less expensive to implement, faster to get live, and easier to build redundancy. But, I dare say that the FCC already knows all of that. What they want to know is, after it's implemented, live, and redundant--will it meet the demand? With ever-increasing speeds, network coverage, and security, it's safe to say "yes." What many fail to realize is that this is not your average air card anymore.

To let your voice be heard, download the FCC's public notice and follow the instructions found there.

Labels: Economy, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Fixed Wireless Broadband, NTIA, Rural Broadband, Stimulus

posted by Nick Carter at 6:55 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, June 9, 2009
We reported several months ago on this Broadband Stimulus Package, all the promise of growth and a new era of broadband leadership in America, and of course, the opportunity to chime in about wireless broadband. Well, several readers on Wired.com have chimed in, but unfortunately not through the proper channels.

It seems that most of the formal feedback requests have been completed by the telecom providers that can afford to pay someone to chase the paper trail required for submission. The more casual readers, however, have resorted to the more casual feedback system: comments.

And yet, though there may seem to be no bridge between the formalities of Capital Hill and the "new-fangled blog thingies" on the Internet, Wired.com has spanned the gap. In a formal submission to the FCC, Wired sifted through the chaff and assembled the top comments from their blog(s) into one coherent document for the FCC to review. You can read the FCC submission here.

The problem, of course, is that the comments don't amount to a cohesive message. There's conflicting ideas, not the least of which is the devotion to terrestrial networks (fiber optics and copper cables) and of course, Fixed Wireless Broadband like wimax, 3G, and 4G. So, whose voice will be louder? Have you weighed in yet? Download the form.

Labels: Broadband, FCC, Fixed Wireless Broadband, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access, Stimulus

posted by Nick Carter at 8:27 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Several weeks ago, we reported through various posts about the scuttle over Obama's multi-billion dollar stimulus plan to increase broadband availability across the nation. Not surprisingly, Accel's position: go wireless! You can read about this in our previous post Internet for Everyone: The Technology That Can Make It Happen.

When I opened my news today, I was pleased to read a headline very familiar to me: Opinion: Mobile technology, not broadband, is the way to connect America. Now, it didn't take long to realize we use slightly different nomenclature. You see, I would consider a fixed wireless broadband solution as indeed a broadband solution. Of course, what this author meant by the term was what we might distinguish as "terrestrial networks." Nonetheless, the article went on to comment:

"When it comes to deciding where to put our money, we should actually be following in the footsteps of the developing world. Countries like India and China are using mobile technologies to leapfrog much more expensive wired and wireless infrastructure investments. Over 60 percent of all people on the planet have access to cell phones, while only 20 percent have computers or are connected to the Internet."

This couldn't be more accurate. Last year, I visited Indonesia. As I sat on a remote island in a village barely equipped with electricity, I checked my email on a GSM fixed wireless broadband connection. Why? Just as columnist Paul Lamb pointed out above, it's incomparably cheaper to build cell towers than lay cable.

The only question, then, is whether the goal of the broadband stimulus plan here in the U.S. is to save money... or to spend money [grin].

Labels: Fixed Wireless Broadband, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access, Stimulus, WCAI

posted by Nick Carter at 5:23 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, May 19, 2009
As AT&T recently commented in their press release yesterday, people's lives are becoming increasingly fast-paced and their need for connectivity is growing. We couldn't agree more. In fact, neither can the people behind the Internet for Everyone initiative, the Wireless Communication Association, or even the government's own NTIA for that matter.

We learned yesterday that for several rural communities in Missouri, AT&T is answering the call. In what appears to be a part of their earlier announced plan to invest $11 Billion in wireless and wireline broadband, AT&T announced yesterday that they will be introducing 55 new cell sites to the state of Missouri that will enable 3G wireless broadband for travelers (and c-stores) along US 67 (view press release here).

3G wireless speeds along rural highways means much more than just connectivity for travelers. It's convenient IT for the convenience stores that dot the exit ramps, too. Fixed Wireless Broadband over the 3G GSM network is the fastest-to-deploy and lowest TCO option for most locations such as highway interchanges where wireline connections are either impossible to find or impossibly slow and unreliable.

To learn more about fixed wireless broadband for c-stores and other retail, check Accel Network's primary network solutions.

Labels: Broadband, Fixed Wireless Broadband, NTIA, Rural Broadband, WCAI

posted by Nick Carter at 9:14 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
We've heard about it. We know it's coming. We've even been invited to interact with the NTIA and FCC. So, how are providers of fixed wireless broadband solutions responding? We heard one report that made me jump for joy (and start pricing airfare).

Andy Vamvakias of Premium Choice Broadband in Maine took it upon himself to advocate for the entire state of Main with regard to the broadband stimulus funds that are being made available. Under his won volition, Andy flew to DC to lobby not only for his small broadband provider but for his great state to get a piece of the pie. "There is no guarantee that stimulus money of any significant amount will come to Maine," he said. "If we don't move quickly and convincingly, we stand to lose it."

Andy's position is that the funds should be made available directly to businesses who can put it to use quickest, as opposed to trickling down through the usual bureaucratic channels of government grants and the like. In Andy's case, he believes he could spend 10 million in a matter of weeks, creating work for 10-20 people and providing broadband network access to currently unserved or underserved areas.

I'd like to go on record with a hearty "here-here" for Andy. What are your thoughts on how the funds could be used in your area for the best economic gain? And, what are you doing about it?

Labels: Broadband, FCC, Fixed Wireless Broadband, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access, Stimulus

posted by Nick Carter at 7:07 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Monday, March 16, 2009
The $7.2 Billion that the NTIA and FCC now have on their hands created a flood of over 2000 individual requests for meetings and follow-ups from advocacy groups, local and state government agencies, and private companies all across the U.S. Following the first of several public meetings on the topic, we now have a systematic means for follow-up. The agencies have released an RFI form requesting information relevant to the proper handling of these funds.

You can download the form at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/FR_BTOP_RFI_090312.pdf. Don't be shocked to find a lengthy form. No doubt, in part, to weed out those deeply interested in the process from the casual squalkers. But, if you (like us) desire to see the funds used appropriately in the rollout of broadband access for the U.S., we encourage you to take the time.

Labels: Broadband, Economy, FCC, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access, Stimulus

posted by Nick Carter at 11:06 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Thursday, March 5, 2009
With over $7.2 billion at stake, there has been no shortage of banter over where the money should be spent. A simple google search for "broadband stimulus" yields hundreds of thousands of recent news entries and blogger buzz about the topic. So, what do we know as of now?

First, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) will handle a portion of the funds. I originally was led to believe (probably through one of the numerous sources chattering about the topic on the internet these days) that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) would be the exclusive administrator of Obama's stimulus, but it appears I was incorrect.

However, I'm glad to have been found mistaken. Ron Schott, an Arizona news man, points out in his recent article on the broadband stimulus package, that with the RUS in charge, it could mean 80-95% of the largely rural state of Arizona receives coverage. Some people expressed disappointment over the historic allocation of funds that the RUS approved, stating that the money doesn't always end up at the most rural of areas. In either regard, I say that I'm pleased t see this development because I believe it will mean more money invested in rural infrastructure rather than floating the major carriers with loans and grants to "improve" existing networks.

As per my previous article over the allocation of these funds to wireless broadband technology, no definitive answer has been given. But, rest assured the industry is lobbying hard to make sure we get our cut. Fred Campbell, president of The Wireless Communication Association International (WCAI) stated, “WCAI applauds the inclusion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of funding for the delivery of wireless broadband to underserved areas.” He also commented, "As the only broadband platform that is capable of providing access everywhere, all the time, wireless broadband is essential to achieving universal broadband connectivity."

Where will the dollars fall, we aren't certain yet. I will be keeping my ear to the rail, hopefully the train's-a-comin'.

Labels: Broadband, Economy, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access, Stimulus, WCAI

posted by Nick Carter at 3:49 PM Link to this Article  0 Comments

Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Everyone seems to be talking about the stimulus package these days, and the telecom industry is no different. The National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) got a $4.7 Billion chunk of Obama's stimulus bucket-o-money, and they're looking for ways to spend it. Where would be the most economical (yes, even I have to drop the buzz word) place to spend that money?

Consider the costs of laying thousands of miles of copper cable across the deserts, mountains, and tundras where broadband access is still unattainable. Now, consider this: depending on terrain and other circumstances, a GSM tower can substutute for anywhere from 4 to 50 miles of hard wiring. Not only that, but when considering manpower for installation and the ongoing maintenance, the total cost of ownership (in this case, our own taxpayer ownership) is dramatically lower.

But doesn't that defeat the purpose? I thought we wanted more work, more jobs, and more product purchased so as to stimulate the economy. That's true, but the simple fact is that if the $4.7 Billion doesn't all get eaten up in broadband, rest assured, they'll find other places to spend it.

If you'd like to get involved, learn more about the NTIA and the Broadband Grant Program Meetings.

Labels: Broadband, Economy, NTIA, Rural Broadband Access

posted by Nick Carter at 5:38 AM Link to this Article  0 Comments