Comments on: Consumer Welfare in Public and Private Broadband Network Investment: What Should Be in the Economic Stimulus Package? http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/ Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:08:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: ::: Think Macro ::: » Reading blogs #9 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/#comment-551 ::: Think Macro ::: » Reading blogs #9 Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:15:29 +0000 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/?p=519#comment-551 [...] “Consumer Welfare in Public and Private Broadband Network Investment” - Larry Darby’s thoughts about some aspects of implementation of Obama’s broadband plan.  And another item on the subject - “What Does ‘Universal Broadband’ Really Mean?” [...] [...] “Consumer Welfare in Public and Private Broadband Network Investment” – Larry Darby’s thoughts about some aspects of implementation of Obama’s broadband plan.  And another item on the subject – “What Does ‘Universal Broadband’ Really Mean?” [...]

]]> By: John Campbell http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/#comment-525 John Campbell Mon, 05 Jan 2009 02:16:41 +0000 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/?p=519#comment-525 Warren, The government is supposed to represent the people. If it does not, our problems are larger than some silly stimulus package. Warren,

The government is supposed to represent the people. If it does not, our problems are larger than some silly stimulus package.

]]> By: Mark J Warren http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/#comment-514 Mark J Warren Fri, 02 Jan 2009 20:00:24 +0000 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/?p=519#comment-514 Since the Internet has been available to the general public, it has opened so many doors. Knowledge, invention, the list is endless. If our government truly believed in helping the people, it would make sure every American had free access. After all the people own the airwaves not the government. Since the Internet has been available to the general public, it has opened so many doors. Knowledge, invention, the list is endless. If our government truly believed in helping the people, it would make sure every American had free access. After all the people own the airwaves not the government.

]]> By: Jon Boucher http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/#comment-499 Jon Boucher Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:20:14 +0000 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/?p=519#comment-499 The only true stimulus package is the reducetion in government serves and the lowering of taxes. Many nations in the past have tried to buy their way out of recessions/depressions and all have failed. The cause and efffect of spending what we don't have(printing money devaluing our currency)will only create inflation and given the amount of capitol infusion over the last year maybe hyperinflation. We are increasing the money supply by trillions of dollars and proping up industries that need to fail so they can grow (GM, GMAC etc.!) This only inflates the bubble like gas on a fire! The only true stimulus package is the reducetion in government serves and the lowering of taxes. Many nations in the past have tried to buy their way out of recessions/depressions and all have failed. The cause and efffect of spending what we don’t have(printing money devaluing our currency)will only create inflation and given the amount of capitol infusion over the last year maybe hyperinflation. We are increasing the money supply by trillions of dollars and proping up industries that need to fail so they can grow (GM, GMAC etc.!) This only inflates the bubble like gas on a fire!

]]> By: sean stokes http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/#comment-444 sean stokes Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:59:21 +0000 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/?p=519#comment-444 In your effort to argue your point you also seem to be guilty of making carless claims about the track record of municipal broadband systems. Contrary to your suggestion there a number of success stories such as Tacoma, Washington; Bristol, Virginia, Reedsburg, Wisconsin; and Dalton, Georgia – all of which are either HFC or FTTH networks. Similarly, Lafayette, Louisiana is about to commence service on its city-wide FTTH network. I am not suggesting that municipal fiber systems are a panacea, are a fit for all communities (or (even most communities), nor am I suggesting that no such systems have stumbled, but given the critical importance of developing a robust national broadband infrastructure, in which all options should be on the table, municipal broadband should be included in the mix with private incentives as part of a stimulus package. In your effort to argue your point you also seem to be guilty of making carless claims about the track record of municipal broadband systems. Contrary to your suggestion there a number of success stories such as Tacoma, Washington; Bristol, Virginia, Reedsburg, Wisconsin; and Dalton, Georgia – all of which are either HFC or FTTH networks. Similarly, Lafayette, Louisiana is about to commence service on its city-wide FTTH network.

I am not suggesting that municipal fiber systems are a panacea, are a fit for all communities (or (even most communities), nor am I suggesting that no such systems have stumbled, but given the critical importance of developing a robust national broadband infrastructure, in which all options should be on the table, municipal broadband should be included in the mix with private incentives as part of a stimulus package.

]]> By: Rory Conaway http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/2008/12/17/consumer-welfare-in-public-and-private-broadband-network-investment-what-should-be-in-the-economic-stimulus-package/#comment-442 Rory Conaway Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:17:48 +0000 http://www.theamericanconsumer.org/?p=519#comment-442 New developments in wireless technologies has brought the cost per mile down from $150K to $5K or less. Triad has started deploying this equipment in Arizona for proof of concept to demonstrate that it's time to put municipal WiFi back on the map for municipalities. If city managers could get multiple departments to work together, the ROI that departments would benefit from would easily pay for this type of system in months, not years. Video analytics and surveillance brings forth force reduction along with reduced theft and vandalism and those savings. Instant access anywhere allows field people to stay in the field and not drive back to offices to process paperwork. Water and power meter collection almost eliminates people needing to visit every house every month. Wireless infrastructure may also eliminate the monthly fees for data circuits between municipality buildings that don't have fiber. There are many other applications but by driving the cost down by 10-30 times less, it's time we re-evaluate the technology again. New developments in wireless technologies has brought the cost per mile down from $150K to $5K or less. Triad has started deploying this equipment in Arizona for proof of concept to demonstrate that it’s time to put municipal WiFi back on the map for municipalities. If city managers could get multiple departments to work together, the ROI that departments would benefit from would easily pay for this type of system in months, not years. Video analytics and surveillance brings forth force reduction along with reduced theft and vandalism and those savings. Instant access anywhere allows field people to stay in the field and not drive back to offices to process paperwork. Water and power meter collection almost eliminates people needing to visit every house every month. Wireless infrastructure may also eliminate the monthly fees for data circuits between municipality buildings that don’t have fiber. There are many other applications but by driving the cost down by 10-30 times less, it’s time we re-evaluate the technology again.

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