Community Broadband Networks Planning Evaluating Implementation NATOA Policy
Community Broadband Networks Planning, Evaluating, Implementation NATOA Policy and Legal Conference Alexandria, Virginia March 9, 2007 Kenneth S. Fellman Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 1
How are Local Governments Getting Involved? Reacting to contact from provider or vendor t Proactive study of needs and potential benefits t “Everyone else is looking at this. We should, too. ” t Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 2
Reactive Model t Can be successful, but t. Less likelihood of strong community support t. More chance that local government is not as clear on the understanding of what needs are being met, and best options Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 3
Proactive Model Needs Assessment (similar to franchise renewals) t focus groups w/stakeholders, surveys, public meetings t Explore social, economic, policy issues (consumer, government, economic development, public safety, educational, health care, digital inclusion) t Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 4
Proactive Model (cont. ) t. Community motivations -- Why are we doing this? Community objectives -- What do we hope to accomplish? t Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 5
Other Questions to Ask t t t t Any legal/regulatory hurdles? Open access/net neutrality requirements? Network security issues? Quality of Service for governmental uses? Abandonment and future governmental use? Appropriate wireless technology? Potential partners? Negotiations with public utilities? Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 6
Business Models t Public Ownership/Public Utility t Community (Free) Network t Non-Profit owned t Cooperative Wholesale t Public/Private partnership Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 7
The variety of models are as numerous as the diversity of local governments in this nation Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 8
Other Local Government Issues Available local government vertical assets t Available local government fiber t Compensation to local government t Monetary (lease payment; revenue sharing) t Free or reduced services t Public safety network enhancements t Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 9
Partnerships t Pros and cons of local governments working together on joint projects t Advantages of anchor tenants Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 10
Implementation Monitoring construction schedules t Compliance testing for the network t Ongoing oversight t Marketing the network t Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 11
Thank You! For more information: Ken Fellman 3773 Cherry Creek North Drive, Suite 900 Denver, Colorado 80209 303 -320 -6100 kfellman@kandf. com Kissinger & Fellman, P. C. www. kandf. com 12
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