Aspen Wireless News & Updates

In a report to Congress, the NTIA said Wednesday that it won’t conclude doling out the first round of broadband stimulus funding until February 2010.

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration clarified in its third quarterly progress report to Congress this week that it will be dolling out the entirety of the grant money during the next ten months.

The year 2010 is going to be a busy time for the period for both the NTIA and the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities is the other agency, the two government entities charged with distributing $7.2 billion of federal funding.

“NTIA will not conclude the first round of BTOP funding at the end of 2009 as originally targeted, but is on course to do so in February 2010,” states the report (PDF).

NTIA and RUS announced this month that they will limit the remaining grant awards to one more round of funding, which they write in the report “will begin early in 2010.”

Courtesy of BroadbandCensus.com

It’s our fault, we found errors in the methodology USDA RUS had on the map and notified the USDA about them so they pulled it.  It’s okay – it’ll be back soon hopefully, but folks need to map broadband, census and households so it only helps a bit.

From broadbandusa.gov:

The “BIP Map of Non-Rural Areas” has been removed until further notice, as some of the non-rural areas were incorrectly represented. Please refer to the definition in the NOFA for which areas should be considered “rural areas”. We apologize for the inconvenience while we make critical enhancements to the map.

We have excellent mapping capabilities and existing (public) databases that allow us to create quick multi-sourced broadband infrastructure maps including cable, dsl wireless and cellular providers as well as data from the FCC and other sources.

This can be additionally layered with households and businesses and census/demographic data. All of this data is done down to the block level, like we have been doing for years for our clients.

What is best is we can provide this information (as open and public information) by the time the states get to review BTOP/BIP grants… and we do it for a fraction of the cost of others.

State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program Online Workshop

On July 24, 2009, the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host an online workshop on its recently announced grant program to fund collection of state-level broadband data, as well as state-wide broadband mapping and planning. This initiative will provide consumers with better information on the broadband services available to them and inform efforts to increase broadband availability nationwide. The workshop is intended to present information and answer questions about the grant application process for potential applicants.
The State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program is a competitive, merit-based matching grant program that implements the joint purposes of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA). The Program will provide up to approximately $240 million in grants to assist states or their designees to develop state-specific data on the deployment levels and adoption rates of broadband services. These data, including publicly available state-wide broadband maps, will also be used to develop the comprehensive, interactive national broadband map that NTIA is required by the Recovery Act to create and make publicly available by February 17, 2011.

The workshop will be recorded and made available online at  www.broadbandusa.gov. Grant applications for this program will be accepted through the online grants.gov system until August 14, 2009.

Pre-registration for the workshop is required and NTIA recommends registering no later than two hours in advance.  Potential applicants are invited to email questions about the grant program to  broadbandmapping@ntia.doc.gov in advance of the workshop.

Register for the Broadband Mapping Online Workshop, which will be held on July 24 at 1pm.

Four State Broadband Co-Op Engages Aspen Wireless Networks for Grant Preparation, Broadband Mapping and Consulting Services for Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Western Montana.

Pacific Northwest Internet Service Everywhere broadband cooperative PNWISE.org to leverage Aspen Wireless’ services portfolio and experience to provide affordable and speedy broadband to all rural areas and anchor community institutions by 2012.

Hood River, Oregon. (PRWEB) July 15, 2009—Aspen Wireless Networks, Inc., who is celebrating their 10th year as renowned broadband consultants and entrepreneurs announced today it was selected by a broadband cooperative in the Pacific Northwest known as PNWISE, who is actively working to create ubiquitous rural broadband service in four states; Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Western Montana. PNWISE is bringing together leadership in small communities, local service providers and state-level government to create the vital partnerships required to achieve rural broadband service.

Aspen Wireless Networks will be providing services to PNWISE from its extensive portfolio including broadband mapping (to the census block), financial modeling, public-private partnerships, business planning, technology engineering and systems integration to ensure PNWISE will meet its goal. Aspen Wireless will also engage in collaborative grant preparation with PNWISE for a grant submission to the NTIA and RUS under the recently announced $4 Billion first round of the total $7.2 Billion allocated for broadband under the ARRA stimulus act.

“We have been stirring this pot for years now, but Aspen Wireless is the key component to turning this dream in to a reality,” said Link Shadley, Managing Member of PNWISE. “Cooperatives brought electricity, telephone and other vital utilities to rural areas and we are committed to delivering affordable broadband as the next utility to our part of rural America.”

“We love rural broadband and always have – it was the founding reason for our company a decade ago and remains the highest priority to us today,” stated Scott Stevens, Co-Founder of Aspen Wireless. “PNWISE embodies rural broadband and has done an amazing job of fostering support and creating a real plan for delivering advanced broadband services to rural America. These guys have it nailed.”

This is not the first large-scale project Aspen Wireless has worked on. In 2002 Aspen Wireless worked on National Broadband, which leveraged relationships with WilTel, Intel and Wal-Mart to deliver middle-mile and last-mile connectivity at 422 points across 38 states. Aspen Wireless has also provided the same rural broadband solutions to companies like CenturyTel. Last year, Aspen’s principal consultant and co-founder Scott Stevens was a member of The Obama Campaign’s Technology/Media/Telecom Policy Committee.

“Although we have grown substantially, we continue to work with small providers to bring them the same success potential all our clients enjoy. PNWISE realizes the importance of these small providers through their innovative ISPartner programs,” stated Mr. Stevens. “We were inspired to take PNWISE on as a client.”

Pacific Northwest Internet Service Everywhere broadband cooperative will be leveraging wireless technology as the most cost effective and advantageous way to deliver multi-megabit service to rural America. Wireless technology allows PNWISE infrastructure to be leveraged for public safety mobility for first responders and emergency personnel as well as provide backhaul for SmartGrid, which is particularly important to utility leaders in the Northwest region. Additional infrastructure will be deployed specifically to provide hundreds of megabits and even gigabits to key community institutions in rural communities such as education, healthcare and municipal government and will feature grid independence and network redundancy.

“Wireless easily meets the current and future demand of rural America. We intend to exceed the 20Mbps service preferred by the NTIA and USDA RUS for a fraction of the cost of fiber, putting Northwest rural America ahead of general metropolitan populations,” stated Mr. Shadley. “Best of all, it will be affordable.”

About Pacific Northwest Internet Service Everywhere
PNWISE is a broadband cooperative focused on providing ‘’affordable broadband for everyone’’ without prejudice to all rural areas across the Pacific Northwest including Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Western Montana. PNWISE is continuing to seek partners in communities across the region to join and become involved in delivering the broadband utility. As a middle-mile backhaul provider, PNWISE will connect local government, economic development districts, educational school districts, higher education, healthcare and public safety facilities. PNWISE will also discuss additional needs of public safety for multi-megabit mobility and inter-agency interoperability.

For partnership or information inquiries for PNWISE please email info(at)pnwise(dot)org. For press inquiries please contact press(at)pnwise(dot)org.

About Aspen Wireless Networks
Aspen Wireless Networks is celebrating a decade of broadband consulting and market leadership. Aspen Wireless provides consulting services that leverage years of applied knowledge and leadership insight to create well-refined and realistic broadband businesses and successful deployments. The company specializes in all broadband technologies including fiber, wireless, cable and copper including hybrid networks. Aspen Wireless has served hundred of clients and worked on significant projects, providing services including; business planning, financial modeling, partnerships, network engineering, application engineering and network deployment.

For sales inquiries or for general information please visit Aspen Wireless Networks website at http://aspenwireless.net/.

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REGISTER FOR A SESSION:

Wed Jul 8, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:00 AM PDT








After a decade of broadband consulting we guessed 95% right, but did the NOFA surprise you?

- DEADLINE: August 14th

- MAPPING: Census Block Level

- DEFINITIONS: Rural, Remote, Underserved and Unserved

- ENGINEERING: Signoff over $1 Million

- E-FILING: Registration Req’s

We will show you how to successfully address these and other vital issues so you meet the deadline in an expediant and accurate way so as not to get thrown out. Discussion + Q&A!

ALL-IMPORTANT MAPPING

We’ve been doing demographic and broadband analysis at the block level for years and we will show you some of the mapping methodologies that will help ratify your business case, engineering and prepare your grant for success.

- Households, Population, Income, etc

- Define “Rural” and % of Rural

- Distance from Urban Markets

- Identify Existing Broadband: Cable, DSL, Wireless, Cellular

- Cross-referencing with existing databases

- Determine Unserved and Underserved

- Determine BTOP or BIP Eligibility

- Output in Map and Spreadsheet form

REAL STRATEGY

We possess the strategy and our record speaks for itself.  Every RFP response we’ve written has won and every grant/loan submitted has been awarded!  We can’t guarantee success; our expertise and breadth can make a positive contribution to your broadband plan.  Did you know that you can include grant preparation and planning as a reimbursable part of your application if awarded?

REAL HELP

Do you need more resources to hit the deadline?  Can we help fill in the gaps?  Provide a sanity check?

- Business Planning

- Financial Modeling

- System Engineering: Wireless, Cable, Fiber; Middle and Last Mile

- Mapping Census + Broadband (Cable, DSL, Wireless, Cellular)

- Grant/Loan Strategy + Narratives, Preparation and Assembly

- Project Management RFP Management / Proposal Vetting

REAL LEADERS

Fmr Obama Campaign Tech Policy Committee w/ Larry Strickling.

Highly successful on RFP and USDA RUS loan & grant applications.

We get Senators, Congress, Governors and Counties to back our clients.

Created “National Broadband” in 2002 for broadband to 38 rural states.

The first Wall Street Journal (cover-page) article on rural Wi-Fi in 2001.

We provide comprehensive services ranging from business to technology.

We engineer financials and technology, integrating experience for results.

Customers range from CenturyTel to Walmart to hundreds of WISPs.


REGISTER FOR A SESSION NOW:

Wed Jul 8, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

Thu Jul 9, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:00 AM PDT

Aspen Wireless Networks has a long list of satisfied and successful customers. Born from rural broadband, we have now had an opportunity to provide services to several hundred rural wireless broadband providers (WISP) as well as large businesses and institutions across the United States and world. Some examples of other satisfied customers and projects include:

Rural Broadband

– Alamogordo, NM (+40 communities) – Brenham, TX (10,000+ sqmi area) – Jefferson County, CO – British Virgin Islands – Dothan, AL – Ronan, MT – Kalispell, MT – Ripon, WI – Galesburg, IL – Empire, MI – Gig Harbor, WA – Carbondale, CO – Durango, CO – Branson, MO – Wichita, KS – Broken Arrow, OK – Truckee, CA – Purgatory, CO – Newport, RI – Eagle, CO – Bend, OR
and hundreds more.

Municipal Wi-Fi

– Town of Vail, CO – Steilacoom, WA – San Marcos, TX – La Crosse, WI – Central Park, NY – Aspen, CO

Walmart

– Rural Broadband

Clearwire

– Backhaul (Middle Mile)

Homeland Security

– 2004 Presidential Inauguration Washington, DC – Metro Boston Homeland Security – Republican National Convention, NYC

Education/Healthcare/Utilities

– Steamboat Springs ESD – Eagle County ESD – Franciscan Skemp Medical – Eminence ESD – Colorado Mtn Medical – Stuttgart ESD – Show-me Power – Lake County ESD – San Bernard Electric Co-Op – Sisters of St Mary – Medical Bossier Parrish ESD

CenturyTel

For over 2.5 years we provided services to CenturyTel beginning with having authored and engineered the RFP response that won the Town of Vail Muni Wi-Fi project over Google, Earthlink and AT&T. Project managed (city relations, capex, opex, etc), selected vendors, engineered (RF and IP) and deployed of 350+ devices over 9 miles with backend portal/billing/advertisement in under 4 months to meet contractual deadline.

Contributed to C-Level executives as members of the strategic “Raptor Team” under direction of President COO Karen Puckett; contributing ideas, relationships and both business and technical expertise that enabled additional efforts by CenturyTel deploying; rural broadband, fixed wireless, high-capacity wireless backhaul, municipal WI-Fi, a national hotspot deployment (w/ advertising) and a successful $150M bid on 700MHz nationwide spectrum. Tasks included; authoring RFP/RFIQ documents, bringing relationships (vendor, customer), budgeting capital and operational project expenses, RF and IP engineering (vision, architecture, config, reliability, methodology), configuration/troubleshooting, deployment/implementation, sales/engineer training, sales support/customer relations, site surveys, lab testing, presentations.

Broadband USA site now has active link to NOFA:

Link to NOFA (pdf download)

HIGHLIGHTS of the NOTICE OF FUNDS AVAILABILITY

Related downloads:

A summary by Knight Foundation, Knight Center for Digital Excellence on the NOFA.

A summary, strategy and recommendations for changes by New America Foundation on the NOFA.

KEY POINTS

USDA and NTIA have developed a two-step application process:

- In step one, the goal is to create a pool of viable and potentially fundable applications.

- Step two is to fully validate the submissions in step one and identify the most highly qualified applications for funding.

BTOP funds are available through 3 categories:

- Broadband Infrastructure

- Public Computer Centers

- Sustainable Broadband Adoption.

Broadband Infrastructure category consists of Last Mile and Middle Mile in unserved and underserved areas.

Broadband definition: two-way data transmission with advertised speeds of at least 768 kbps downstream and at least 200 kbps upstream.

Public Computer Center will expand public access and capacity at entities that permit the public to use these computing centers.

The Sustainable Broadband Adoption category will fund innovative projects that promote broadband demand.

- $1.2billion for Last Mile Projects.

- $400M for grants Remote Area projects.*

- $800M for loans or loan/grant combos for Non-Remote projects.*

- $800M for loans or loan/grant combos for Middle Mile projects.

* Remote area means an unserved, rural area 50 miles from the limits of a non-rural area.

All awards under NTIA BTOP and USDA BIP must be made no later than September 30, 2010

For-profit corps that are willing to promote the goals of the Recovery Act and comply with the statutory requirements are eligible.

Eligibility factors:

- 1) application;

- 2) completion w/2 yrs;

- 3) technical feasibility.

Nondiscrimination and Interconnection Obligations:

- i. adhere to the principles contained in the FCC’s Internet Policy Statement

- ii. not favor any lawful Internet applications and content over others

- iii. display any network management policies and provide notice to customers of changes to these policies

- iv. connect to the public Internet directly or indirectly, such that the project is not an entirely private closed network

- v. offer interconnection on reasonable rates and terms to be negotiated with requesting parties

Conditions will apply for the life of the awardee’s facilities used in the project.

The scoring criteria for BIP and BTOP:

- 1 Project Purpose;

- 2 Project Benefits;

- 3 Project Viability;

- 4 Project Budget and Sustainability.

As follows;

- Project Purpose 25 pts: Proportion of Rural Residents Served in Unserved Areas 5 pts Rural Area Targeting 5 pts Remote Area Targeting 5 pts.

- Title II Borrowers (5 points). Recovery Act and other governmental collaboration (5 points).

- Broadband speed: Last Mile Projects of 20+ megabit per second service will be favored; 100+ megabits per second service for Middle Mile.

- Pts for demonstrating affordability and providing choice of provider.

- Pts for 25% discounts to “all critical community facilities in the proposed funded service area”.

- Critical community facilities: public facilities that provide community services essential for supporting the safety, health, well-being.

* Critical community facilities: emergency response and other public safety activities, hospitals and clinics, libraries, schools and more.

- Project Viability (25 points).

- Applicant’s organizational capability (12 points); Community support (2 points); Ability to promptly start project (10 points).

- Disadvantaged small businesses (1 point).

- Project Budget and Sustainability (25 points).

USDA and NTIA intend to announce the awards starting on or about November 7, 2009.

Unserved area:

- census block where at least 90% of HHs lack access to facilities-based, terrestrial broadband service @ 768 kbps.

Underserved area:

- 1. no more than 50% of the HHs in the area have access to facilities-based, terrestrial broadband service @ 768 kbps.

- 2. no fixed or mobile broadband service provider advertises broadband transmission speeds of at least 3mbps.

Courtesy of Fierce Broadband Wireless
June 28, 2009 — 11:33pm ET | By Lynnette Luna

The federal government won’t require the “buy American” stipulations it had originally planned to require of companies obtaining stimulus money to build broadband networks.

In a notice published Friday, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is distributing $5 billion of the $7.2 billion earmarked for broadband deployments in unserved and underserved areas, said the Secretary of Commerce granted a limited waiver of the buy American stipulation in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to broadband equipment used in broadband networks deployed using stimulus money.

The waiver includes switching, access, transport, routing, customer premise and billing equipment as well as end user devices. The waiver doesn’t include optic cables, coaxial cables, cell towers and other facilities that are in abundance in the United States. For other equipment not on the list, companies can request waivers case by case.

Earlier this month, Cisco Systems and Alcatel-Lucent said they wanted the buy American provisions eliminated, arguing that the requirement for U.S.-made equipment would be “grossly inefficient” and a “radical departure” from normal practices. The two industry heavyweights also said such rules would slow down projects because telecom networks typically are made up of equipment from companies worldwide. Congress said funds provided under the law passed in February generally can’t be used for iron, steel and factory goods not produced in the U.S.

DEADLINE 6/19/09

With the assistance of Aspen Wireless our clients successfully submitted over $3M in grant applications across 4 states to the USDA RUS under the Community Connect program, which NOFA totaled $13M in available funds.

The Community Connect program is NOT a stimulus-related program but rather an annual program by the USDA RUS for the funding of broadband networks:

• UNSERVED: Communities not served by broadband AND


• RURALITY: Under 20,000 Population Ranked by tier and/or


• NEED: Below 75% State Median Household Income (MHI) ranked by tier


• MATCH: These grants last for a period of 2 years and include both capital and operational costs with only a 15% matching requirement (which can be certain in-kind contributions).

Community Connect grant applications must be submitted on a community-by-community basis, individually and show significant work with and involvement by the local community in planning.  An additional requirement is to build or create a staffed digital community center with computers and free broadband access, operating beyond the first 2 years.

Aspen Wireless created the grant applications, (wireless) broadband network engineering, and financial modeling as well as work by gaining local support from Senators, Public Safety Offices, Economic Development Districts, County and City Commissioners, Mayors and Educators.

We appreciate our clients’ trust in us and look forward to many successful grant awards for these rural communities in need of broadband.

Ignorance is bliss!  Who says all ARRA stimulus has no rules and will not be funding until the end of this year?  Could you benefit from a grant for $50k?  $250k?  How about $1 million?

From the USDA website:

RURAL BUSINESS ENTERPRISE GRANTS (RBEG) PROGRAM

The RBEG program provides grants for rural projects that finance and facilitate development of small and emerging rural businesses help fund distance learning networks, and help fund employment related adult education programs. To assist with business development, RBEGs may fund a broad array of activities.

How much are the grants?
There is no maximum level of grant funding. However, smaller projects are given higher priority.

Who is eligible?
Rural public entities (towns, communities, State agencies, and authorities), Indian tribes and rural private non-profit corporations are eligible to apply for funding.

Define Rural
Rural is defined as any area other than a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town according to the latest decennial census. At least 51 percent of the outstanding interest in any project must have membership or be owned by U.S. citizens or resident aliens.

What types of projects are eligible?
The RBEG program is a broad based program that reaches to the core of rural development in a number of ways. Examples of eligible fund use include: Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation, of buildings, plants, machinery, equipment, access streets and roads, parking areas, utilities; pollution control and abatement; capitalization of revolving loan funds including funds that will make loans for start ups and working capital; training and technical assistance; distance adult learning for job training and advancement; rural transportation improvement; and project planning. Any project funded under the RBEG program should benefit small and emerging private businesses in rural areas. Small and emerging private businesses are those that will employ 50 or fewer new employees and have less than $1 million in projected gross revenues.

How to Apply
To apply for funding for the RBEG program, please contact your Rural Development State Office. (or contact us or see our services).

Availability of Funds
Each year, Congress provides program funding as called for in the Federal Budget. Fiscal Year funding levels will be made available as soon as possible after the beginning of each Fiscal Year.

Additionally, regarding spectrum reform to a panel consisting of Michael Calabrese VP at New America Foundation, Chris Sacca VC and former VP at Google, Jonathan Spalter Chair of Mobile Future Advisor Board and Brian Knapp of Loopt, moderated by Carolyn Brandon of CTIA.

http://broadbandcensus.com/2009/05/21st-spectrum-policy-should-include-map-experts-say/

Breaking News: RUS To Post 2009 Funds Notice for Community Connect Grant Program

Courtesy of colleague Peter Pratt stimulatingbroadband.com

04/20/09 The Community Connect Program of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), division of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), will post its Notice stating available funds for the Program’s 2009 grant cycle within the next 12 to 18 hours.

The Notice will state the grant application deadline date for 2009 applications is June 19, 2009.

The Program within RUS funds telecommunications networks in designated rural and underserved areas of the domestic United States, with grants, loans, and loan guarantees.

The Community Connect Program is funded with annual federal appropriations for the USDA in the range of $20 million to $25 million. The Program is strongly supported by Members of Congress from rural states who routinely work to include the programmatic funding in each federal funding cycle’s Farm Bill. The RUS previously announced that “25 communities in 16 states” received a total of ”$15.6 million in broadband community connect grants” in the 2008 funding round.

Sources within the USDA have stated that the funds Notice will be posted either this evening, April 20, or Tuesday morning, April 21, Washington time (EDT).

Deadlines for grant, loan, and loan guarantee applications, and other terms and conditions of the Program, will be posted on the website of the “Rural Development Community Connect Grant Program,” at: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/commconnect.htm

Note: The annual appropriations and programmatic guidelines for the Community Connect Program are distinct from the $2.5 billion in appropriations and guidelines yet to be issued for the RUS portion of the “broadband stimulus” funds contained in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) for the ARRA-derived RUS program is expected to be released on or about June 12, 2009 as previously reported by StimulatingBroadband.com here.

The June 12 target date for the NOFA is expected to be a joint issuance with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as the rulemaking proceeding has been jointly conducted by both agencies to date.

Courtesy of colleague Peter Pratt stimulatingbroadband.com

Our Thoughts :: The $100 Billion Issue: Cisco Lobbies to Clarify “Buy American” Clause
in Federal Stimulus Package

Courtesy of colleague Liz Zucco via stimulatingbroadband.com

04/16/09 As seen in a publicly disclosed e-mail message from Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CSCO) to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), the San Jose based networking equipment market leader is lobbying against a strict interpretation of the “Buy American” provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

We believe the Cisco statement to the federal agency is extremely significant. Far more than the $7.2 Billion in “broadband stimulus” funds in ARRA could be subject to the Buy American clause. We believe that upwards of $100 Billion in information technology (IT) appropriations are contained in all of the tech-related programs and funding lines in the Act. As outlined below, we believe that strict application of ARRA provisions meant to apply to roads, bridges, and public buildings can not reasonably be applied to the IT / telecom sector if appropriations from the Act are going to be spent on technology deployments, as intended.

Our analysis of IT funding portions of the Act agrees with that of several legal and market research analysts who have done detailed reviews of the legislation. We believe the approximate $100 Billion IT figure is reached when considering total appropriations, additional to the $7.2 Billion, for: healthcare record computerization, smart grid electric distribution control technology, federal computer system upgrades, public safety communications, intelligent transportation system (ITS) tech within the massive funding for road and bridge construction, computer learning and educational technology, and possible broadband rewiring of subsidized and public housing.

The e-mail message, reproduced on the NTIA’s public disclosure site reports that Cisco’s Jeffrey A. Campbell had an Ex Parte telephonic discussion with NTIA Senior Advisor Mark Seifert on March 23, 2009 to lobby NTIA against strict interpretation and enforcement of the Buy American language contained in Section 1605 of the Act (Section below).

Mr. Campbell, based in Cisco’s Washington office, is the firm’s Senior Director for Technology and Trade Policy, within the corporate Global Policy and Government Affairs division. As stated in his e-mail, he specifically sought clarification from NTIA that any network facilities built with BTOP funds not be ”...constituted a “public work” which would subject them to the “Buy American” requirement.” Alternatively, Campbell sought “a public interest waiver of the “Buy American” requirement…for all electronics equipment used in broadband networks.”

The report by the retained lobbyist who initiated the telephone discussion, and its public disclosure, are both mandated by the Obama Administration’s new disclosure rules for lobbyists seeking to influence any federal agencies relative to grant or loan expenditures from the ARRA. President Obama issued a Memorandum on March 20 which contained the strictures. As reported by the government watchdog group The Sunlight Foundation, the disclosure regulations set off a firestorm of concern on K Street when they were promulgated.

Our analysis:

1. To date we have only seen published stories on the Cisco meeting in Brad Reese’s column on Cisco in Network World, and on Democratic Underground. Cisco itself has not commented yet, although its government affairs site routinely stakes out free trade positions, as is common in the high tech sector. We believe the Cisco argument will receive far greater review and feedback from not only other electronics manufacturers, but from the telecom carriers that purchase their products, and from the bevy of trade associations representing the American high technology industry in Washington. Cisco itself has been instrumental in supporting the work of as many as 32 technology trade groups, including TechNet, in addition to its own robust lobbying presence.

2. The reality is that many components of any microelectronic array, and most semiconductors found in virtually any networking equipment, are fabricated abroad. Virtually no telecom network operating today in the United States, supporting either a public service provider or an enterprise, could function without the existence of global supply chains feeding into the final hardware product. We hope that review of the Act’s Sec. 1605 by NTIA will reasonably look at the realities of global manufacturing and trade in the telecom sector, as do current domestic content regulations of the USDA’s Rural Utilities Service.

3. Cisco and its supported high tech trade groups, like TechNet (the folks that lobbied for a 100 Mpbs national broadband goal back in 2002), have been in the forefront of pushing for a progressive national broadband policy for years. Cisco understands the equation of greater broadband deployment equals greater economic activity and higher employment levels in the American economy. Cisco’s push for clarification of the “Buy American” provision is a reasonable and an ultimately practical request. The goal of an effective national broadband strategy is within reach, in large measure thanks politically and technically to Cisco.

The Buy American language of ARRA is found under Section 1605 of the Act:

BUY AMERICAN SEC. 1605. USE OF AMERICAN IRON, STEEL, AND MANUFACTURED GOODS. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced in the United States. (b) Subsection (a) shall not apply in any case or category of cases in which the head of the Federal department or agency involved finds that — (1) applying subsection (a) would be inconsistent with the public interest; (2) iron, steel, and the relevant manufactured goods are not produced in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available quantities and of a satisfactory quality; or (3) inclusion of iron, steel, and manufactured goods produced in the United States will increase the cost of the overall project by more than 25 percent. (c) If the head of a Federal department or agency determines that it is necessary to waive the application of subsection (a) based on a finding under subsection (b), the head of the department or agency shall publish in the Federal Register a detailed written justification as to why the provision is being waived. (d) This section shall be applied in a manner consistent with United States obligations under international agreements.

Credit: Colleague Liz Zucco via StimulatingBroadband.com

Connected Nation doesn’t know how to do the mapping properly, but they’re the only one publicly proposing they have the knowledge and resources.

Our partners do have the resources and have proven scientific results on the most accurate broadband mapping that includes wireless, copper, cable and even fiber.

In the interim, here are the notes from Connected Nation’s ex=parte meeting with the NTIA as filed on the NTIA’s BTOP website.

http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/comment.cfm?e=A5975F90-E10E-4695-9F5A-821F0686B521

NOTICE OF MEETING

On March 4, 2009, Tim Sloan, Dennis Amari, Alfred Lee, and Jim McConnaughey of NTIA’s Domestic Policy Office initiated a meeting with Brian Mefford and Phillip Brown of Connected Nation. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Connected Nation’s methodology for creating maps of broadband services availability and adoption in various States. During that discussion, Connected Nation made the following points:

•A reliable map depicting the availability and adoption of broadband services is critical to the development of orderly, transparent, and measurable projects to address unserved areas or to foster broadband service demand. A Geographic Information System (GIS) format at the street level is used for mapping and “gap” (identifying unserved or underserved areas) analysis.

•Mapping the availability/adoption of broadband service should be coupled with efforts to stimulate broadband demand in order to induce broadband service providers – both wired and wireless—to supply deployment data. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are important to legally protect confidential and proprietary information. Other useful mapping includes statewide maps that depict (average) actual upload and download speeds.

•If Federal funding of broadband mapping includes a requirement for non-Federal matching funds, the government should allow matching funds to be provided over multiple years. The government should also limit the use of in-kind payments as matching funds.

Broadband Stimulus Public Comment Round Closes at Midnight, 60 Day Target Set for Grant Guidelines…

Courtesy of colleague Peter Pratt stimulatingbroadband.com

04/13/09 The public comment period for input to the two federal agencies writing grant guidelines for the total $7.2 Billion in broadband stimulus funding contained in the American Recovery and Renewal Act of 2009 (ARRA) closes today, April 13, at 12:00 midnight (EDT), local time in Washington DC. A federal agency spokesman further stated today that a target date of June 12 has been set for issuance of funding guidelines for the broadband grants and loans.

Mr. Mark Tolbert, Spokesperson for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the US Department of Commerce, confirmed for StimulatingBroadband.com late this afternoon that the public comment portal at the NTIA website would close this evening at midnight.

Importantly, Tolbert also confirmed that NTIA has set a “target of approximately 60 days” from today for official promulgation of its Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA). The NOFA will provide grant and loan applicants for all ARRA broadband stimulus funds, with guidelines for how to apply, and what selection criteria will be used for evaluation of applications. Tolbert also stated that there will not be another public comment round, nor period for reply comments as is common in proceedings of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), between now and the release of the NOFA on or about June 12.

Mr. Tolbert’s statement, giving this 60-day target cycle for issuance of the NOFA from today’s comment deadline is more specific than the range recently given by NTIA Policy Advisor Mark Seifert on April 2 to a House Subcommittee. In testimony to the Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, and the Internet, chaired by Congressman Rick Boucher (D-VA), Seifert stated that NTIA estimated release of the grant guidelines would take “a couple of months”.

In filed written testimony, Seifert stated, “A Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) will be published as expeditiously as possible, likely in the next couple of months, that will describe in detail how the application process will work, how we will evaluate the applications, as well as how grantees will be held accountable, including requirements for progress reports and job creation measurements, to ensure that taxpayer investments are protected.”

“We will be releasing a Notice of Funds Availability,” stated Tolbert this afternoon in a telephone interview “which will spell out criteria and instructions which lead into the application process.”

The NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) portal has been receiving public comments, which are made jointly to NTIA and to the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) division of the US Department of Agriculture, since opening on March 10. Over this 34-day period, just over 1,150 comments had been posted to the public comment site by Monday afternoon.

Just over 180 comments have been filed today alone, up to 5:30 pm (EDT). Comments posted today come from a diverse range of commentators, as has been typical of the previous postings. Comments today included those filed by New Jersey Governor John Corzine, by Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) the large American manufacturer of wireless infrastructure and personal wireless terminals and cell phones, by the Administration of Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, by the City of New York, by several telecommunications wireline and wireless carriers, and by Mayor Mark Hipsher of Grainger County, Tennessee.

The broadband stimulus provisions of ARRA appropriated a total of $7.2 Billion for grants, loans, and loan guarantee funds to be dispersed by the 2 federal agencies.

Courtesy of colleague Peter Pratt stimulatingbroadband.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRLog (Press Release) – Mar 19, 2009 – Main Street Broadband LLC announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Broadband South LLC, whose services are branded as Main Street Broadband, has begun build out of its advanced wireless network utilizing its recently closed $34 million USDA Rural Development Loan. The loan directly supports Main Street’s efforts to bring affordable wireless broadband services to over 120 communities in southern Georgia and northern Florida, and provides a key stimulus to economic development in the region.

“This is a great program and initiative,” states Mike Mies, Co-Founder and CEO of Main Street Broadband, “The USDA’s support for making broadband services available to rural communities and Main Street’s mission to provide and manage a state-of-the-art network for high speed internet and digital voice services is a winning combination.”

The communities targeted by Main Street have limited or no access to broadband services as a result of the high cost to run cable or fiber to provide the services. Fixed and mobile wireless broadband technologies are now able to provide reliable access at higher speeds and with a greater reach, making Main Street Broadband’s voice and data services affordable for the end users.

Main Street Broadband is deploying WiMax technology to provide voice and data services to each community the company serves. Broadband services support economic development for the businesses of these small communities as well as provide high speed internet access in most homes. Main Street is launching its WiMax service in Waycross, Georgia.

Main Street Broadband is not new to providing rural broadband services. Currently the company is operating in several communities in south east Georgia through its acquisition of Coastal Broadband in 2008.

1. # #

   ABOUT MAIN STREET BROADBAND – Main Street Broadband LLC is a privately held wireless broadband service provider headquartered in Atlanta, GA. Together with its subsidiary, Broadband South LLC, Main Street is committed to bringing affordable high speed internet access and digital phone service to the un-served and underserved markets in the southeast US. Main Street Broadband utilizes the latest in wireless broadband technology for both residential and business services to develop additional economic opportunities in the communities and advance the quality of life for its residents.

   • 

Aspen Wireless Technologies is present in the Halls of the House for the Congressional Subcommittee Hearing on USF Reform.

Follow @wirelesscott on Twitter for real-time information from the event including statements and questions of the Congressional Telecom Sub-Committee’s members as well as testimony from the panelists.

UPDATE: Below are updates from @wirelesscott as broadcast in real-time via Twitter from the USF Reform Hearing (chronologically correct, start to finish):

###

At USF reform hearing at house energy I hope we can make this happen!!! Congress is very clear that USF needs to change.

USF reform to include public safety issues (e911 etc)... Thoughts?

FreePress says “make bold changes” in a 10year change to capital repayment and minor subsity model to save est’d 2/3 $

Tech policy institue fellow Scott walsten says do reverse auctions and make it a bid process for subsidy of least cost infrastructure option

Chairman Boucher asks how the $7.2B broadband stim can make it more feasible to deploy broadband. Has 1mbps minimum REQUIRED deploy get USF$

Boucher says thwre is an oversight committee for stim $ via ntia and USDA rus, also advising these committees / Administration support

Rep stearns from FL is sticking it to re telco, ya!!!

Rep Barton from Texas wants to repeal USF and calls it a snake that should be killed…

Rural areas cost $266mo to provide service as last resort carrier

Verizon believes that more granular USF (demographic) “mapping” below zip code level

Verizon says costs of middle mile are possibly driving cost greater than last mile ($100mo) in costs per customer

Verizon complains they can’t determine cost for wireless system costs per user… I call bullshit

Verizon and AT&T want competitive bidding (AT&T wants one-time capital awards)

Rep walden from Oregon made a joke about outhouses in this district and desirig flushing… The crowd laughs heartily.

Rep Weiner New York wants competition foe real and competitive bids with multiple winners. He is asking great questions

Rep Terry from Nebraska wants accountability

Rep Rush from Illinois is concerned over the costs from telephony to incarcerated persons, Chair Boucher agrees

He also asks if broadband is required just like electricity and water. The board unanimously agrees, the economist wants healthcare first

Rep Shimkus asks about wireless broadband for inclusion. The board says yes but asks to segment the two in compensation and minimum speeds

Questions about reliability of audit processes and costs by all, but the telco thinks they get the short end of the stick

Rep Butterfield north carolima asks about subsidizing services or devices for low income. Panel believes not from usf but important issue

Adjourned!

Just had excellent 1:1 meeting with Rep Walden of Oregon…

###

END POSTS @wirelesscott, begin tweets by @meitweet from a session panel at The Cable Show 2009 #CS09

###

Roger Sherman: House commerce committee will move other items first. Expect subcomm to look at SHVIRA, ICANN, USF. #cs09

Rosenworcel: will be looking at future of media writ large, DTV oversight, BTOP oversight. #cs09 


Timing for Senate confirms for tech jobs: Rosenworcel and Kurth agree, “we hope it’s soon.” #cs09 


Fried: broadband maps won’t be completed, but we’d like to see money go to “mapped” states first. #cs09 


Sherman: confident that NTIA and RUS are doing the right thing, trusting the regulators. Rosenworcel: senate planning hearings, ... #cs09 


Rosenworcel: ... See BTOP as a “down payment on our broadband future.” #cs09 


Sherman: OneEconomy will be at hearing tomorrow; they have great ideas on sustainable programs. #cs09 


Hearings on privacy? Bill? Fried and Sherman agree that nothing is on schedule but issues include DPI, 1st v 3rd party, intent of use. #cs09 


Rosenworcel on privacy: hearings last yr made clear that companies want to monetize info and consumers aren’t sure how it’s being used #cs09 


Fried: shvira will likely include must carry and adjacent market carriage. #cs09 


Rosenworcel on shvira: also need to update statute for digital broadcast. #cs09 


Retrans consent: time for Congressional review? Fried: Barton is a strong opponent of must carry. The market works. #cs09 


Phone competition: VoIP interconnection is a roadblock. Does FCC have right to guarantee? Rosenworcel: need to focus on intercon. #cs09 


Rosenworcel: some state interconn actions are “disturbing,” hope FCC will step in. #cs09 


Kurth on VoIP: if FCC thinks it lacks authority, we’re happy to provide. #cs09 


Sherman: committee members agree that wieleine porting should be as seamless as wireless porting. #cs09 


Expanding USF for broadband? Rosenworcel: need to 1st rationalize the current system, especially high-cost fund. This is FCC’s job. #cs09 


Fried: should consider reverse auction. Sherman: waxman and others have asked about days collection on USF. #cs09 


Kurth: agree that fundamental reform must take place first. #cs09 


Randy May asking a question re reverse auction and NTIA. Fried: we’d like to see a process for bidding for stimulus grants. #cs09 


Rosenworcel: finally we’re having a more nuanced dialogue on broadband. Adoption is a problem, perhaps greater than access. #cs09 


Adam Thierer: potential for content regulation. Rosenworcel: TV is a powerful force for good and harm, Rockefeller is concerned. #cs09 


Carriage disputes. Fried believes it’s hard for government to step in. #cs09

1. END TWEETS ###

For Service Providers
Aspen Wireless has engineered and written winning RFP responses for its clients. These responses have won various towns and cities, both small rural and world-renowned places in the USA. We combine our engineering and written services with the right business approach between your company and the municipality to win over incumbents and provide a better quality local product.

For Municipalities/Government – City, County, State
Aspen Wireless provides feasibility study services to help you determine what broadband system is right for your government and delegates. Our feasibility studies include business and financial analysis, public safety, ecenomic development, and a determination of technology requirements. After the feasibility report is complete, targeted discussions with interested parties and allow us to assist in the creation of an initiative, author and manage a broadband RFI/RFQ/RFP, vetting of the proposals and more.

Request for Quotation (RFQ)
Request for Information and Comment (RFIC)
Request for Proposal (RFP)

Aspen Wireless is extremely proud to announce the first major success of our new Municipal Professional Service!

Having combined efforts with our client in working with town decision-makers, we were able to formulate the most precise and applicable technology and business model. Aspen Wireless engineered an advanced network topology and unique business approach that, in combination with our client’s expertise as a service provider and a professionally written and presented proposal, won the bid over other local competition and many notable national players. The town’s choice was not made soley on technology or the business case, but rather the entire ‘eco-system’ of Aspen Wireless’ methodology appliedhand-in-hand with our client, which created the winning formula.

Let us help your community find its wireless direction!

###

CenturyTel Wins Approval to Build Citywide Wi-Fi Network For Vail

MONROE, La., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/—Residents, businesses and visitors in Vail will soon have access to broadband wireless Internet service provided by CenturyTel and the Town of Vail. CenturyTel today announced that the Vail Town Council awarded the communications company a contract to build and operate a wireless broadband network for the Colorado ski resort destination.

Vail is the first Colorado city to move ahead with this type of partnership to build a municipal Wi-Fi network. The town selected CenturyTel to build its system following a competitive bid process that included proposals from six other companies. The agreement was unanimously approved by the Vail Town Council at its July 18 evening meeting.

CenturyTel will build a Wi-Fi mesh network in Vail and launch service by the end of 2006. Residents, businesses and visitors will be able to get free Internet access up to 300Kbps (kilobits per second) anywhere in town in one hour increments. Faster Internet service with speeds up to 3Mbps (megabits per second) will be available with pay plans for monthly, weekly or daily access.

“We applaud the Town of Vail for their forward thinking and initiative,” Karen Puckett, CenturyTel president and chief operating officer, said. “This is a strategic step for CenturyTel to expand our technologically advanced business outside of our traditional local telephone markets.”

CenturyTel and the Town of Vail worked together to develop additional services such as a Public Safety network and a private network for city workers. With these elements, the Town’s first responders and other public safety officials, as well as town employees will be able to securely connect to their intranet network and the Internet.

“We will have a state-of-the-art system that benefits everyone—residents, businesses, guests and our public safety personnel,” said Vail Mayor Rod Slifer. “This is the kind of innovation that continues to differentiate Vail from other ski resort destinations.”

The Wi-Fi network coverage will include the town limits/boundary of the Town of Vail. The network will deliver an affordable world-class Internet service to Vail residents, businesses and visitors. The citywide wireless system will use the latest in advanced carrier-grade mesh and wireless communications equipment to deliver high-speed wireless Internet access. Once the system is fully functional, it will be tested and fine-tuned to maximize the coverage area.

CenturyTel brings expert design and maintenance experience in building and operating communications networks. No capital will be required from the Town of Vail in the deployment or operation of the network. The company is committed to making the investment in capital and human resources to make the project a success. CenturyTel will bring advanced communications with a personal touch to the residents, businesses and visitors of Vail.

Mr. Stevens is a technology entrepenurer in the Internet and communication space; primarily wireless (Wi-Fi, WiMAX) and IP communications (voice, video, etc), as well as a focus on convergence. His specialties range from network engineering to financial spreadsheets, deployments to business plans – all with significant depth of knowledge.

Most recently Mr. Stevens was a member of the Obama Campaign on the Tech/Media/Telecom (T/M/T) Policy Committee under Alec Ross and Larry Strickling.

Mr. Stevens efforts in lobbying Washington and working with the FCC are long and wide. Working with influential groups like WCA, PFF, and Part-15.org, as well as directly with folks like (former) FCC Chair Michael Powell and his commissioners lead to many favorable changes in spectrum, telecom, and Internet policy. The political landscape has changed as of recent, but some of the foundation laid prior to 2005 remains strong.

Over the years, Mr. Stevens has had the honor of speaking for groups and at various conferences such as; Wireless Communication Association International (WCAI), Progress and Freedom Foundation (PFF), four-time returning at WISPCON, Telluride Technology Festival, and the FCC’s “Rural WISP Showcase”. Mr. Stevens recently spoke on Wireless and VoIP at the Internet Telephony Conference in San Diego.

Media interviews include a co-interview with Mr. Selby by The Wall Street Journal (2001), Christian Science Monitor (2004), San Jose Mercury News (2004), and recently in the High Country Business Review (2006). Mr. Stevens has also been featured on various local radio and Internet radio shows.

Scott’s historical bio can be found below.

Industries
Wireless (Wi-Fi/WiMAX)
Voice over IP (VoIP)

Specialties
Business Planning
Financial Outlook
RF Engineering
IP Engineering
Marketing / Sales
Legal Contracts
Public Speaking
Sales / Technical Training

Notable Accomplishments
World-record 74 mile high-capacity wireless data link
World-record 4.2 mile wireless link through a 600ft mountain
Assisted in the first ubiquitous Wi-Fi city network in the world
Consulted over 1000 WISPs in business and technology
Co-Founded the first nationwide broadband provider
Written winning RFP responses over major incumbents

History
Mr. Stevens became one of DISH’s early resellers in the late 90’s. At the turn of the century he moved to Denver and opened the doors on a fledgling industry – Wireless Broadband. Wi-Fi was in its infancy (wasn’t even called Wi-Fi yet) and he found more and more people across the USA and World taking this technology to broadband-starved rural markets, and deploying community-wide wireless broadband systems. Mr. Stevens assisted nearly 1000 of these upstart providers over the next four years.

The wireless distributor Mr. Stevens worked for went rapidly from its first million-dollar year in over 25 years to being one of the dominant distributors of wireless technology today, and are experiencing consecutive tens of million dollar years and was recently purchased by a large competing distributor. During his time Jim Selby who operated a WISP (Wireless ISP) in Aspen, Colorado invited Scott up to be co-interviewed with him by Pui-Wing Tam of The Wall Street Journal. The article was originally supposed to publish the week of September 11, 2001, but on December 7th came the first true realization of Wireless Broadband as something truly amazing.

Mr. Stevens was invited to Aspen by Mr. Selby to build out the first major regional WISP. This lead to a new concept that was brought to realization by a team in Aspen known as National Broadband. NBB was to be the first nationwide wireless broadband provider, with a unique approach of delivering Tier-1 fiber bandwidth to Tier-2 and 3 markets wirelessly. With $28 Million in private investment and fiber rights spanning 18,000 miles across 38 states, this was an amazing and ambitious project in 2003. NBB was successful in deploying 10% of the overall network, including deploying a community-wide wireless and ubiquitous Wi-Fi system – before any metro/muni systems were ever conceived. Relationships with WilTel, Intel, IBM, Microsoft and Wal-Mart were forged during this venture.

In 2004, Mr. Stevens went back to his roots where he founded a wireless product distribution company, Defacto Wireless. Mr. Selby assisted him in this venture, launched with only starvation capital, and in only 6 months of sales activities grossed $1.4 Million in revenue. Defacto established relationships with industry leading companies like Orthogon (acquired by Motorola in 2006), Redline, Dragonwave, Aperto, and Senao. Additionally, Defacto also created a product line known as AirMatrix, featuring one of the industry’s first outdoor Wi-Fi mesh radios, now deployed in over 20 countries. At this time WiMAX standards were being debated and 802.16d-2004 was ratified.

In late 2005 Mr. Stevens sold his interest in Defacto to establish a professional services firm in Portland, Oregon. With two of the largest and most prominent wireless/internet shows coming up, ISPCON and WiMAX World, his team worked fast and hard to launch the company from scratch in only 45-days. In front of audiences over 6,000 from over 50 countries in the world it was one of the busiest booths at both events.

During 2006 Mr. Stevens co-founded a IP Communications venture uniquely target-marketed at various affinity groups. The company went beyond VoIP to add many additional features and functions to this service in the true style of IP communications; SIP, video communications, content delivery and social media.

Also during 2006, Mr. Stevens under Aspen Wireless Technologies was hired to write a response for a Municipal Wi-Fi project. This RFP response was written for Vail, Colorado on behalf of CenturyTel, Inc, the 8th largest telco in the nation. The combination of engineering, writing, and CenturyTel’s commitment won over competing bids by Earthlink/Google, AT&T/Siemens, and an agent of Qwest. The network is currently operating in Vail, including the nation’s first 1Gbps enterprise wireless service.

Please see his LinkedIn profile for additional information, or to join networks together. You may also download his vCard contact information at the top of this page.

For a decade our company has focused on making broadband work as a consulting firm specializing in all things broadband. The founders of Aspen Wireless have been featured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal, founded the Nation’s first National Broadband network, successful muni wireless networks, assisted in various Homeland Security deployments and served on the Obama Campaign Tech Policy Committee.

Press Coverage

– Wall Street Journal – San Jose Mercury News – Wired Magazine – USA Today – NPR – TechTV

Speaking Engagements

– WCA – PFF Aspen Summit – FCC Rural WISP Showcase – Broadband World – Datacenter Dynamics – Internet Telephony (TMC) – WISPCON – WiMAX World – Tech Policy Summit

Memberships and Associations

– WCAI – Wireless Communications Association International – TPI – Technology Policy Institute – PFF – Progress and Freedom Foundation – OSDV – Open Source Digital Voting Foundation – OEN – Oregon Entrepreneurs Network – GTA – Gorge Technology Alliance – P15 – Part 15.org – SAO – Software Association of Oregon – CUB – Citizens Utility Board of Oregon – MHCRC – Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, Bureau Advisory Committee – ORTCC – Oregon Telecommunications Coordinating Council

Entrepreneurial Leadership

We are globally recognized as leaders and innovators in the broadband space, especially as it applies to wireless. Following is a brief history of some entrepreneurial ventures our personnel have undertaken:

National Broadband

$28M in private investment was raised in 2002 for this venture with strategic partners including; Wal-Mart, Intel, IBM, Microsoft, WilTel and others. The core network included 17,000 route-miles of 8Gbps optical fiber lines across 38 states, marrying the optical network at over 422 locations (40-mile intervals) with backhaul radios to provide Tier 1 bandwidth access and pricing in Tier 2 and 3 markets. As the “carrier’s carrier” NBB provided high-capacity “wireless fiber” backhaul to Rural Tier markets for a low metropolitan-like cost. As a broadband provider and enabler, NBB created the WISPartner wireless broadband wholesale partner program in addition to a retail offering.

Aspenwave

As one of the first wireless ISP’s in the world, Aspenwave was covered on the front page of the wall street journal for brining to light the possibilities of technology and wireless for broadband. As well, it also was the birthplace of wi-fi as a hotspot service and through its ubiquitous coverage of Aspen, also spurred municipal wireless. Those inspired by Aspenwave include; Bill Gurley, Sky Dayton, Michael Powell and more.

Electricity, telephone, water and waste disposal services have been taken for granted in American cities since at least the 1920’s. But if you lived in a rural area only 60 years ago, chances are you went without these necessities of modern life and high standard of living they make possible.

Modern utilities came to rural America through some of the most successful government initiatives in American history, carried out through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) working with rural cooperatives, nonprofit associations, public bodies and for-profits ervice providers. Today, USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs carries on this tradition helping rural service providers expand and keep their technology up to date, helping establish new and vital services such as distance learning and telemedicine.

The public-private partnership which is forged between Rural Development Utilities Programs and these industries results in billions of dollars in rural infrastructure development and creates thousands of jobs for the American economy.

For more information on programs by USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS) visit their site:

http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/index.htm

Redline Communications leads the industry in performance, ease of installation, and customer support. Their products provide reliable, cost-effective solutions for Ethernet, T1/E1, and converged IP and TDM transport for both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint deployments. Backhaul, public access, and private network operator solutions are available for the licensed 3.5 GHz band, and the unlicensed 5.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz bands.

Redline’s core technical differentiation combines more than ten patented enhancements with current orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) implementations resulting in a state-of-the-art, cost-effective solution that will immediately give service providers momentum and a leadership role in deploying their broadband strategy.

It is a considerable understatement to say that when Enterprises lose access to their Intranets or the Internet, productivity plummets… if not halts completely.

Broadband Wireless is simply a tool to extend and enhance corporate Intranets and Internet access. From private high-bandwidth point-to-point links between campus buildings, to Broadband Access while mobile, to merely insuring business continuity with alternate-path connectivity to telecommunications providers, Broadband Wireless is a key tool for Enterprise Information Technology.

While Broadband Wireless can sometimes be as easy as “twenty minutes on the roof slapping up a radio”, Enterprises typically demand robust, reliable, and well-supported solutions for key systems. Aspen Wireless can help to evaluate the best types of Broadband Wireless technology for a particular Enterprise’s use and, if desired, manage the procurement, installation, and support for Enterprise Broadband Wireless.

• STIMULUS UPDATED ***

  Yes, we can help your company or municipality (city, county, state) get $7.2B in ARRA Broadband Stimulus Funds via NTIA BTOP and USDA RUS. But also remember there are billions more ARRA funs available for investments in education, healthcare and infrastructure we can help with too!

  Please fill out our contact form with your request and we will get back with you to set up and interview with your executive staff to discuss the approach and your potential to stimulate your company or economy with ARRA Broadband Stimulus funds.

  http://www.aspenwireless.net/contact/

  ***

  Aspen Wireless has written winning RFP responses for its customers. These responses have won various towns and cities, both small rural and world-renowned places in the USA. Our engineering and response services combined with the right business approach between your company and the municipality, has won over incumbents like Earthlink/Google, AT&T/Siemens, Qwest and others.

  Municipal Broadband Wireless systems have become popular in the last few years to address the need for universal access to the Internet at Broadband speeds, both in economically disadvantaged areas as well as areas simply not served Broadband by conventional cable or telephony companies. Many municipal governments regard the availability… or lack of a availability of Broadband Internet Access as not only an economic development issue, but also a quality of life issue.

  

  The techniques, technologies, and systems for providing Broadband Wireless Internet Access on a Municipal scale are hardly new. Broadband Wireless systems have been deployed successfully for many years by, among others, Wireless ISPs. What is new is that there is now political will to make investments with public financing to deploy such systems, making universal Broadband Internet Access truly possible.

  Municipal wireless systems can be difficult to deploy… and even difficult to sort out competing proposals from different vendors, each offering their own unique technologies. Some vendors, especially those offering “simple and robust” Wi-Fi Mesh technology often run into unexpected obstacles that can compromise a Municipal Broadband Wireless system’s overall usefulness.

  Aspen Wireless, as a technology-neutral and vendor-neutral Systems Integration company with deep experience in the Broadband Wireless industry, is in a unique position to assist in preparation for Municipal Broadband Wireless systems:

  • Basic education on Broadband Wireless Internet Access – technology, trends, the “bigger picture”, for all personnel involved in a Municipal Broadband Wireless System
  • Assistance in identifying suitable technologies and potential vendors to target with RFPs
  • Assistance in crafting effective and vendor and technology-neutral Requests For Proposals (RFPs)
  • Assistance in evaluating and vetting RFPs
  • Assistance with evaluation work-in-progress and project completion phases of the construction of Municipal Broadband Wireless Internet Access networks

• Development of metrics for evaluating quality and availability of ongoing operation of Municipal Broadband Wireless Internet Access networks

Aspen Wireless Networks has provided a wide range of services over the last decade for clients from business to technology and all areas in-between. Our pride comes from knowing that our deep knowledge and experience in the industry provides our clients long-term success and satisfaction with our services.
Our firm has worked with hundreds of broadband providers over the past decade, in addition to having been operators ourselves.

Services at a Glance

Over the past decade we have formed long and healthy relationships with trusted strategic partners, which allow us to offer the most comprehensive and integrated portfolio of services in the market.

Business Planning

Entity, Strategy, Partners, Growth, Uptake, Competition

Financial Modeling

CapEx, OpEx, Funding, Debt, Revenue, Growth, Risk

Grants and Loans

Strategy, Planning, Narratives, Assembly, Submission

Strategic Relations

Partners, Vendors, Verticals, Gov’t Associations

Systems Engineering

Fiber, Wireless, IP and RF Engineering, Infrastructure

Technology Sourcing

Intro Vendor Selection for Services and Technology

Systems Integration

Installation of Towers, Radios, Energy, etc and Testing

Managed Services

Internal vs External/Hybrid NOC and Billing Services

Ongoing Support

Ongoing Business and Technical Support

*** IMPORTANT STIMULUS NOTE ***

We work with Cities, Counties, States and Service Providers alike because the ARRA Broadband Stimulus, especially NTIA BTOP Grants, require effort from both sides to get your fair share.

USDA RUS BIP and NTIA BTOP Grants and Loans

We have a high success rate on loans submitted to USDA RUS where have been involved, with funding up to $34 million on a single loan. We hang out with the FCC, attended the NTIA meetings and have policy friends in Washington D.C. We offer all the services and expertise you need to invigorate your local economy or operation with ARRA Broadband Stimulus Funds via NTIA BTOP Grants and USDA RUS BIP Grants/Loans – and we realize what few others do, that up to $100 Billion in IT stimulus is available!
More on Loan and Grant Development »

Broadband Mapping

We have been providing broadband mapping, census mapping and RF mapping services for years down to the block level. We have access to data sets for cable, DSL and wireless (WISP) and cellular data in addition to broadband studies which allow us to provide highly accurate and compelling broadband mapping service. For many years we have been leaders in providing demographic overlays to ratify business plans and financial models, in addition to creating target customer maps and pre-qualifications. And all of this, down to the census block level.

Municipal Broadband

Our services include business technology analysis, strategy, feasibility/market studies, loan/grant proposals, proposal vetting. RFP authoring and management (for Municipalities) as well as RFP responses (for Service Providers). Our work has won bids for our clients against industry incumbents as well as awarded millions of dollars in USDA RUS loans and grants.
More on Grants, Loans and RFPs »

Business and Technology

Not only system and network engineering, business engineering. Nothing compares to real experience to ensure that paper engineering turns out as expected. We know the market, business factors, technology and future trends – let us validate your concept and “engineer” your business to success.
More on Engineering »

Deployment and Integration

The resources poured into engineering your business and network demand to be deployed by skilled professionals. Allow our network of certified Systems Integrators to deploy your system professionally so it will serve as a solid foundation for your business.
More on Integration »

Training and Education

The learning curve is tough in the fast paced broadband market and there is no time to spare or reputation to stake on failure. We will train your executive staff as well as technical team with the knowledge necessary to succeed in the wireless space.
More on Education »

Ongoing Support

Stay ahead of the curve by having Aspen Wireless Technologies provide ongoing support for your system. Whether engaging our expertise after deployment, or with our Virtual Technology Officer (VTO) program – let us support your success and overcome hurdles.
More on Support »

Managed Services

We engineered and built a centralizing intelligence that provides all necessary functions for your system to keep it operating smoothly. This ‘command and control’ allows us to provide a managed service to compliment the VTO program and our world-class support.
More on Managed »

Company Overview

For a decade our company has focused on making broadband work as a consulting firm specializing in all things broadband. The founders of Aspen Wireless have been featured on the cover of the Wall Street Journal, founded the Nation’s first National Broadband network, successful muni wireless networks, assisted in various Homeland Security deployments and served on the Obama Campaign Tech Policy Committee.

Aspen Wireless Networks has provided a wide range of services over the last decade for clients from business to technology and all areas in-between. Our pride comes from knowing that our deep knowledge and experience in the industry provides our clients long-term success and satisfaction with our services. Our firm has worked with hundreds of broadband providers over the past decade, in addition to having been operators ourselves.

No matter the business model, technology or regulation we are absolutely committed to success in meeting our client’s needs. Our deep knowledge coupled with our experience with a wide range of broadband transport and applications provides you a significant edge. Whether you are providing ‘Megabits to the Masses’ or require kilobits of mission-critical data reach its destination, we will provide successful and proven consulting services guaranteed to springboard success in your initiative.

Press Coverage

– Wall Street Journal – San Jose Mercury News – Wired Magazine – USA Today – NPR – TechTV

Speaking Engagements

– WCA – PFF Aspen Summit – FCC Rural WISP Showcase – Broadband World – Datacenter Dynamics – Internet Telephony (TMC) – WISPCON – WiMAX World – Tech Policy Summit

Memberships and Associations

– WCAI – Wireless Communications Association International – TPI – Technology Policy Institute – PFF – Progress and Freedom Foundation – OSDV – Open Source Digital Voting Foundation – OEN – Oregon Entrepreneurs Network – GTA – Gorge Technology Alliance – P15 – Part 15.org – SAO – Software Association of Oregon – CUB – Citizens Utility Board of Oregon – MHCRC – Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission, Bureau Advisory Committee – ORTCC – Oregon Telecommunications Coordinating Council

Industries Served

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Mission Statement

Provide immense value to our clients through our unique methodologies and broad range of expertise. Utilize our strengths of knowledge and insight to use technology to create true solutions. Approach business with integrity, be responsive to our clients needs and provide superior support as a partner in business.

In the first article on Wi-Fi and license-exempt wireless, AspenWave founder Jim Selby is featured on the cover page of the Wall Street Journal. The article states: “History is full of unscripted uprisings just like this, where technology is taken off the shelf and put to an unanticipated use.”

The Wall Street Journal
http://www.wsj.com

WSJ article posted at siliconinvestor.com
http://www.siliconinvestor.com/stocktalk/msg.gsp?msgid=16765583