Defining Broadband Capability
"For instance, the Commission currently uses the terms “advanced telecommunications capability,”19 “broadband,” and “high-speed Internet.”20 Should these definitions be unified, or should they have separate meanings for different purposes, keeping in mind that current and future broadband platforms will increasingly support “high-speed Internet” as one of several offered services including voice, video, private data applications, and the like? In addition, to the extent that broadband is defined by “speed,” should the Commission consider raising the speeds that define broadband? Should we distinguish among the various broadband technologies? Are there specific Commission actions that could encourage more rapid adoption of these more advanced broadband deployments using mobile wireless
technologies, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE), or wireline broadband deployments, such as fiber, DSL, or coaxial deployments supporting DOCSIS 3.0, for example? Are there other advanced broadband technologies that, if deployed, might better position the nation’s broadband infrastructure for continued evolution?"
Continued evolution of the nation's broadband infrastructure is served best with fiber. I have not spoken to one individual in the last year who does not believe this. Even the debate over the Stimulus included the argument that it was "not enough to get fiber to every subscriber". Whether telco incumbent, competitor or cable company, the faster we replace our copper infrastructure with fiber, the better for US broadband. While this may not be the politically correct answer, from an operator and technologist perspective, there is no confusion. Fiber is required.
Please read and respond to the NoI. Your voice needs to be heard on this paragraph and the others.
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( 3.1 / 93 )I just saw that the FCC posted the NOI. Here is the link to the PDF version. There is a Word version also available.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 9-31A1.pdf
Comment submissions are due by 7 July 2009. The document is 59 pages in length but keep in mind that Chairman Copps emphasized that you can pick and choose which questions you want to respond to.
I see some pretty interesting questions in section III B 1 - Defining Broadband Capability...such as in paragraph 16:
Are there specific Commission actions that could encourage more rapid adoption of these more advanced broadband deployments using mobile wireless technologies, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE), or wireline broadband deployments, such as fiber, DSL, or coaxial deployments supporting DOCSIS 3.0, for example? Are there other advanced broadband technologies that, if deployed, might better position the nation’s broadband infrastructure for continued evolution?
Do you have an opinion?
-Buck
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( 2.9 / 83 )A panel of 6 presented the FCC with a Notice of Inquiry for the National Broadband Plan. This NOI seeks public comment on several key elements of broadband deployment and use. The information gathered from the NOI will assist the FCC in creating the National Broadband Plan as required by Congress in the ARRA.
Chairman Copps and Commissioners Adelstein and McDowell read statements. I was quite impressed by Chairman Copps' statement and I highly recommend that you read it. The link:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/a ... 9900A2.pdf
Mr. Copps iterated the need to ensure all Americans have access to "high speed, value-laden broadband". The roadmap, he says, begins design today. The NOI will be an open and inclusive process and will seek input from everyone. He highly encourages anyone to submit comments on all or part of the NOI.
The Commission voted to accept the NOI. I expect that we will see information about it in the Federal Register soon.
I will keep watching for the Natl Broadband Plan NOI and when I find it...when it is released...I will put a link to it and tell you about how to submit and when the deadlines are.
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( 3.1 / 86 )I am blogging from sunny Las Vegas, NV where Occam is participating in the annual Metaswitch user's conference. Occam is a Gold sponsor of this event and appreciate the years of collaboration in the advancement of packet based voice with the industry leader in softswitch platforms.
Taking sight of the hundreds of conference attendees, I see many familiar faces - customers, consulting engineers, analysts and partners. This convergence of industry representatives also reminds me of the importance of partnerships in the evolution of the telecommunications industry. Occam and Metaswitch have over 100 mutual customers deploying our pure packet platforms and we attribute this successful milestone to our ongoing, collaborative partnership.
As previously stated on this site and in other communications, I feel the telecommunications industry is at an inflection point. The broadband stimulus plan (BSP) is causing providers to rethink project plans, long term broadband strategies and service revenue mix goals. As you consider the impacts the BSP has on your business, consider partnerships as a means to help accomplish your goals.
Partnerships come in many forms. Many of our rural operators have banded together to plan and implement state and region wide associations. These consortiums of like minded providers leverage the power of their combined resources and investment dollars to build co-operated video head-ends or regional transport networks.
Other forms of partnerships include active participation with industry associations such as OPASTCO or NTCA. These partnerships help influence industry policy and advocate the voices of small operators.
There is room for innovative partnerships that leverage the assets of the local operator and the local community ties that they provide. Companies like Avail Media provide content platforms for operators that look to get into the IPTV service arena. Future partnerships may leverage emerging over the top content providers and should also be investigated. These types of infrastructure content partnerships are still in the infancy stage and should be nurtured and grown.
Occam owes much of our past accomplishments to field proven, strategic partnerships with innovative service providers and technology partners. I encourage you to think of how you can leverage partnerships with regional providers, advocacy groups and equipment suppliers to ensure that you get your piece of the BSP pie.
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( 3.1 / 86 )Good morning. I wanted to post a note to remind everyone about some important upcoming dates to keep in mind.
First and foremost, April 13th is the deadline for submitting public comment on the BSP program and specifically on the joint NTIA & RUS request for information.
Where to find the NTIA/RUS RFI:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/frnotices/2009/ ... 90312.html
Instruction for submitting is found at the end of the RFI, however, the NTIA has a webpage for submitting comments:
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/form.cfm
If you are interested in reading the public comments, the NTIA makes them available here. Unfortunately, the comments are very diverse and range anywhere from "I want a job..." to "I want a grant..." and there is no easy way to winnow the comments to just the few topics that you might be interested to read about.
http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/comments.cfm
ALSO, the Federal Communications Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, which is scheduled to commence at 10:00 a.m. in Room TW-C305, at 445 12th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C.
Item 4 on the agenda is:
TITLE: A National Broadband Plan for Our Future
SUMMARY: The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry seeking comment to inform the Commission's development of a national broadband plan for our country pursuant to section 6001(k) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
This will be a first for me. I'll listen in and let you know if you missed anything of interest. If you too are interested in listening then here is where you can find the feed:
http://www.fcc.gov/realaudio/
That's it for now. I'll post again after tomorrow's FCC meeting.
-Buck
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