Subcommittee Tasks
Broadband Access Infrastructure Board
Sub-Committees and Goals
July 14, 2005
The Board will focus on how to expand the availability of broadband services throughout the State to private homes, businesses, public and private educational institutions, research centers, and other entities that would benefit from such services. The Board’s objective will be to provide for universal broadband access by 2010. (Executive Order)
Goals:
Improving access to high-speed telecommunication services is the most important state economic infrastructure issue for the new century. Whether for business, government, healthcare, or educational purposes, higher speed “broadband” access is increasingly becoming a necessity – not a luxury.
No state plan to improve infrastructure will be able to completely address all of the service problems and issues identified by this board. However, there are basic fundamental issues that must be addressed in order to make progress on all fronts. These “basics” can be classified as follows: 1) lack of available bandwidth (no advanced telecommunications services available); 2) lack of bandwidth at affordable prices and with quality service (inadequate market economics); and 3) lack of information on where broadband services are available (specific site location and installation timing information).
Subcommittees (first listed member is chair):
1) Service Availability Subcommittee – “Where we are now.”
The Service Availability Subcommittee will investigate and report on the following:
a) Identify the current providers of broadband services in the State, the coverage area of each provider and the current penetration of each;
b) Identify the resources that providers have dedicated to the expansion of broadband services;
c) Identify regions in the State where broadband services is unavailable or where service characteristics or price are problematic;
d) Identify regions that would benefit from broadband service; and
e) Identify current broadband expansion efforts and the expected increased services and penetration associated with each.
Questions: Should there be requirements on all telecommunications and information carriers (both those currently regulated and unregulated) to provide specific network location and capability information? In addition, should quality of service standards should be developed and enforced so that businesses and other purchasers of advanced telecommunication services are able to plan and not have business operations disrupted because of installation delays?
Members: Reggie Palmer, Kathy Hounsell, Peter Reilly, Brian Paul, Amy Spelke.
2) Technology and Delivery Mechanisms Subcommittee.
The Technology and Delivery Mechanisms Subcommittee will investigate and report on the following:
a) Identify the types of broadband services available in the State, including the characteristics of each type of service such as typical available bandwidth and cost;
b) Identify the benefits and drawbacks of the various available broadband technologies and delivery mechanisms, including service and cost considerations;
c) Identify cost and technological barriers to expansion of various broadband service mechanisms to unserved or underserved areas of the State;
d) Identify the cost of expanding broadband services into areas that presently do not have such services;
e) Evaluate competing and emerging broadband technologies in relation to differing topography, population density, and other constraints encountered around the State of Maine;
f) Recommend the types of technology best able to provide service to those areas that need it the most. Distinguish between lower (residential and small businesses) bandwidth needs and the higher requirements of institutional and large businesses;
g) Identify how broadband services could be used in unserved or underserved areas of the State.
Members: Sam Elowitch, Fletcher Kittredge, Scott Morrison, Gerry Dube Chris Johnson, Phil Lindley/Amy Spelke.
3) Regulatory and Financial Assessment Subcommittee.
The Regulatory and financial assessment Subcommittee will investigate and report on the following:
a) Identify current federal, State or local regulatory policies, requirements or barriers that promote, impede or affect the deployment of broadband services, including the “One Gigabyte Initiative” and open access legislation and their impact on availability of broadband services;
b) Identify current funding sources for broadband infrastructure investment, such as Federal loans and grants and other federal, State or local government incentives;
c) Identify potential investors and partners willing to increase broadband penetration;
d) Calculate the economic impact that increased broadband penetration would have on the State, and identify how this impact would benefit the investors who undertake to expand their broadband coverage;
e) Recommend legislation regarding state taxes (property, income, BETRS, PTZs), franchising and fees, certifications, affiliated interest transactions, ROWs, and access to information resources. Consider other tax incentives and infrastructure grants for low-use communities.
Questions/comments. We should strive for tax and permitting fairness. Differing rules discourage investment. From a business climate standpoint, why should different carriers have to play by different rules? A level playing field for ALL (regulated and non-regulated) broadband carriers should be established – including, but not limited to, competitive local exchange carriers, incumbent local exchange carriers, long distance/long haul carriers, resellers, wholesale (dark fiber) carriers, wireless carriers and cable modem or “advanced” telecommunication cable service providers (excluding traditional cable television service).
Members: Brian Paul, Steve Ward, Jason Philbrook, Melinda Poore, Kathleen Case, Phil Lindley.
4) Expansion Plan Subcommittee – “How we get there.”
The Expansion Plan Subcommittee will investigate and report on the following:
a) Determine the needs and goals for penetration of broadband services in Maine;
b) Recommend a specific broadband expansion plan for the State;
c) Propose any specific legislative or regulatory vehicles – including any funding or incentive mechanisms – for the implementation of a broadband expansion plan.
d) Develop measures of success.
Members: Pate Scully, Kurt Adams, Janet Yancey-Wrona, Peter Reilly, Jill Goldthwait, Reggie Palmer, Sam Elowitch, Brian Paul, Phil Lindley, Amy Spelke.
