Broadband Brainstorming...
With so much emphasis these days on building public/private partnerships for Broadband it has made me really study the options and opportunities as well as pitfalls of these arrangements. Without "writing a book" I want to share a possible solution I believe "floats to the top" for entities looking to build the better Broadband partnering opportunity. It is simple enough as to create what I believe is a perfect balance of public/private interest.
First, let us assume that most rural municipalities and counties are not likely equipped to become their own Broadband utility. In all but a few locations this is likely the case. Many of these same governmental bodies do manage the local water and sewer systems. It is logical to assume that with their existing public works departments they could build only the conduit, vault, hand-holes, etc. (aka containers) which would contain a fiber network at some point. In taking on this part of the build they would NOT, hopefully, be breaking any laws at state levels which require non-public ownership of communications networks as conduits/containers are not, technically, a communications network. They could also likely avoid destruction of surrounding underground infrastructure during the installation of these "containers" by using their own public utilities workforce and equipment. This has been a serious problem when non-governmental, private contractors have come into communities and ripped and torn existing utilities to pieces in the name of building fiber broadband.
Second, a legacy Broadband company (possibly one already in the local area such as a WISP) could be given an opportunity to become an incumbent fiber optic network operator within these conduits, vaults, etc. The governmental unit owning these conduits could charge a recurring fee for management, maintenance, repair of the outer containers that hold the fibers, splice cases, etc. In addition, the new public/private organization would enter into an open access wholesale agreement such that any new entrant would not tear up the underground infrastructure but would rather enter into a pre-contracted wholesale agreement with the incumbent network operator. This further prevents the aforementioned "ripping and tearing" of existing underground infrastructure.
In this scenario both public and private interests should have adequate checks and balances in place via an operating agreement to assure that the network would not be simply sold away or left to ruin at some point in the future. Both sides would have equal skin and advantages in the game to see it work efficiently and at a good value to all involved.
#ntia #bead #wispa #fispa #iija
Love this! Eastern NC has been in need of fiber internet for quite some time. I know many who have begged their local providers for years to expand. Will look for the possibility of Brightspeed #hiring in the New Bern area. Haha! ;)