Is the planning profession interested in the Stimulus Funds, and I think, more importantly, will we as a profession work to create ethical, sustainable projects for that funding, rather than race to get something submitted in a political grab for the cash?

The NTIA only has 24 months to spend $4.7 Billion...I'm wondering if well thought projects that have long term impact are going to come from something that moves that fast?

And Lastly...Is the planning profession interested in how wireless infrastructure might help our communities...and what impact it will have in the long run? If so, what specifically would you like to know more about?

Now that the NTIA stimulus money is approved, and ex parte meetings are being held to organize the administration and deployment of the grants, it's time for localities to begin thinking about the kind of projects they want to propose -- and there's a key issue here I'd like to address. Rather than having a run on the grant funds, in a raid-like fashion, can we develop project proposals that are ethical and sustainable in the long run, after the grant funds go away?

The NTIA funding priorities don't help in this regard, and actually may work against this idea. The NTIA has a two year window to spend $4.7 Million, and the grants are going to be awarded quickly -- most likely on a first come basis. Further, the NTIA funds must go towards projects that are designed to provide connectivity to underserved and unserved rural areas...and these are typically the areas where private service providers can't afford to go since there aren't enough people in the area to support the efforts to serve them.

We won't know for a while if the subsidy of federal funds will be enough offset to make such projects cash-flow...if they don't what will happen? Even if the tower site is held by the local government, the carriers must still be there in order for service to be provided...Would the local government tower owner evenually be forced to charge the carriers $0 for rent on the tower in order for the carriers to continue service?

The Federal stipulations on the funding also include a 2 year time limit on project completion -- which could be far to short a schedule for an ambitious or large project...so are we encouraging more simplistic projects which may not have the impact that well thought out and comprehensive projects might? An example might be how a public safety project to enhance local emergency services communications could be interfaced with a broadband connectivity project to also provide better connectivity to an area -- effectively addressing several objectives at once and possibly saving some funds at the same time. However, NTIA and Federal time constraints may favor the faster, more simplistic project.

We're going to have to wait a while longer to find the results of the NTIA's meetings and organizational efforts, but in the time being, we should be focusing on how to gain the maximum impact from use of the funds, and to focus on creating projects that will be sustainable after the grant funds go away. If we don't we're going to be party to wasting our own tax dollars on someting that ultimately won't make the difference it should.

RES

The ICMA's PM magazine picked up a story I wrote on what to expect from the wireless infrastructure industry over the next few years. There's some interesting thoughts that, given the NTIA stimulus funding, will even more likely materialize to impact rural and underserved communities. There's money out there to create positive impacts, but it's going to take work to create ethical and sustainable projects. Check out the article at http://anvilpartners.us/Images/anvil...%20Article.pdf

RES

It's too long to post here, but I have blogged about some of the specifics that have emerged at Anvil Partners -- check the details there, and for other links to additional information. Basically, the broadband stimulus money has a time component -- it must be spent by Sept. 30, 2010 -- there's not much time to spend $7 Billion, and as small as NTIA currently is, this will be a big job for that agency. Although application guidelines and terminology haven't been fully determined yet, communities should be considering their options and developing proposals. The NTIA will offer an RFP and the race will likely go to the swift.

If your community would benefit from increased broadband connectivity, I'd suggest you find out more and get cracking!

RES

Depending on which version you examine (House or Senate), there's going to be some $1Billion in cash, and a similar amount in tax credits made avialable to the carriers and tower industry to provide wireless facilities to unserved and underserved Rural areas.

Many smaller localities have stripped 20% or more from their budgets. Some have eliminated the planning position in their organization. Others are trying to find yet even more ways to cut costs and survive.

What is going to happen when those project dollars materialize into project applications at small towns that don't have the resources to properly process a zoning permit?

I think industry is going to have the upper hand, and I think that we're going to see more ugly and ill placed infrastructure.

What do you think -- please comment!

What's it going to take to create a realistic broadband stimulus bill that will work?

No one seems to really know, and trouble is, no one is really agreeing. Congress is in the middle, trying to write a broadband stimulus bill that doesn't have a solidly stated goal, has few if any objective definitions, and doesn't contain any mechanism for reporting progress...

I can't think of a single business plan or project that could survive, much less succeed with that kind of foundation.

No matter what you think, the huge stimulus bill, and the small 10% slice that represents the Broadband Bill will be a focal element in President Obama's first and subseqent years in office. Will we see meaningful change...and will our tax dollars have effective positive impact?

Time will tell.

I saw this and just couldn't resist putting it out there for folks to read...Peter King (R., NY) needs to get a clue...

This is not the kind of change America is looking for...there are heavier issues to put to rest, and I don't think this is the best answer for the problem anyway.

There's better, more important work to be done than this...

Local Zoning Orinances Could be Federally Pre-empted.

We have a new president, and in some cases, new representation in congress. We're facing unprecedented economic stress, and localities are facing myriad challenges to delivering public services -- from gutted budgets to RIFs to even elimination of entire departments.

So naturally now is the time that the wireless infrastructure industry steps forward and introduces language into the broadband bill to pre-empt local zoning if localities don't process applications fast enough.

When are these guys going to get with it and work with comunities just like every other developer? Take a look at our blog for more details -- www.anvilpartners.us/blog

RES

C'mon -- it's 2009, times are tough and it's ok to let it all hang out -- at least that's what the news is looking like.

Delay in the deployment of DTV could slow down other products industry wants to offer -- like live video to your phone, etc.

Obama's support for national access to broadband didn't exactly warrant any inclusion of that initiative in the $6 Billion 'broadband bailout' -- at least if you pay attention to his transition team...and the FCC's appoach won't be ressurected anytime soon either. Clearwire and Andy Seybold have ideas that might help, but both have down sides.

There's one white knight out there trying to do something, but they're small and could use help (One Economy)

From live video in your car to internet on United flights, it's going to be a wild ride in 2009 --

See our blog at www.anvilpartners.us/blog for more, or subscribe to our blog (see the rss feed button at the top of the blog) and get your updates automatically!

RES

We've reached a watershed moment -- the internet is now officially more preferred as a news source than newspapers...I predict tightening the belt on family budgets will result in folks dropping the newspaper rather than dropping their internet connection. The fact that many folks are switching over to bundled services may catalyze that transition.

The death of the general circulation newspaper -- is it possible? And while we're asking, what about the land line telephone...?

More bad news from up north (but not Illinois)...Verizon and a certain politico in PA have been operating in a less than transparent manner. Seems former state rep Vincent Fumo may have been stretching the public trust in order to influence Verizon's former president, Daniel Whelan -- while 'mugging' Verizon for some $50 Million...It's not really clear how many $Millions$ were at play here, and it's staggering to guess that this might be the tip of the iceberg -- if this kind of activity occured elsewhere (tell me it couldn't happen -- I dare you).

The Governor of Alabama speaks out to encourage rural broadband expansion -- while not exactly cutting edge, it's nice to see folks sticking up for things that in the long run are going to make a difference...kudos to you Bob Riley! --It is an idea, however, that's going to take more thought and consensus building...which is just the kind of thing most planners love to chew on...

I'm thinking it's going to take some reform to really get something like national broadband going, and I'd bet Larry Lessig's idea just might work. Wonder if the new president's visions stretch that far?

See us at www.anvilpartners.us/blog for more on the wireless world AND check out our news reader as well.

RES

The short story --

The FCC originally proposed that they require whoever wins one of thier future auctions to provide a free broadband system, nationwide, within the next 10 years. Intended for families and folks of all ages, this system was to be filtered for porn and objectionable content.

When the idea came under fire (from several sides) the FCC folded like a cheap suit, and offered to revise the requirement, so that it didn't include content filtering.

That's great -- free access to everyone, courtesy the FCC, WITH porn....now how does that square with their stance on TV -- I seem to recall some squabble over decency not too long ago...

After some urging from Congress, the FCC tabled the idea for later...

check my website blog for the deatils...

RES

2009 is stacking up to be ripe with issues, and the wireless world is no small part of that mix.

Wi-max is trying to get off the ground with the new Clearwire -- and could mature into the infrastructure of choice for internet connectivity for 'the last mile' -- those rural residences without good high speed internet. DAS (distributed antenna systems) has also proven it's utility, and may find itself integrated into more communities to provide service in highly sensitive areas.

Choices for services are increasing as cable and voice services emerge from both industry sectors and begin to blur together.

The FCC TV frequency reorganization (switch to digital), the recent 700 MhZ auction and the last major frequency auction ($20 Billion spent by the carriers) all point towards carriers and service providers using these frequencies and offering additional services to the market -- which will require additional deployment of equipment and infrastructure in the field.

Recent legal decisions have reinforced the locality's authority to control manner and placement of this infrastructure (Sprint V. San Diego County) -- a balanced approach to regulating the land use, while also encouraging the development of services and robust infrastructure is possible.

Linkages between wireless infrastructure, local economic development, health care, education, public safety and even reduction in carbon footprint are emerging, and the number of totally wireless households (no landlines) are steadily increasing.

The integration of the wireless communications device into the US market is approaching 90% penetration, but may have room yet to grow, as several nations have penetration rates at or above 120%.

Where does all this point -- well, people want the service, and they're willing to pay to get it. They also seem to be holding onto their phones despite the downturn in the economy. With the advent of additional services such as banking and streaming video, more users will be utilizing more bandwidth and additional infrastructure will be necessary to service the demand. As the cell phone becomes the personal appliance that no one can do without, we're going to see an increase in the service provider's efforts to support additional capacity and services to the users.

The past 5 years or so have seen a general reduction in the number of additional cell facilities or towers created. In part this is due to the increasing number of localities that have adopted zoning ordinances to control the land use. As subscribers and minutes of use have grown, the development of tower infrastructure has slowed. This has created some pressure and when money begins flowing from the carriers, there will be a demand for additional facilities, to service existing markets and to handle the increased capacity the existing facilities are experiencing.

Localities should take the opportunity to examine the role that wireles communications play in their communities, and think about how additional benefits could be derived from their deployment. Further, there are many tools and approaches out there to manage the land use for the best possible integration into the community. 2009 might be ripe with issues, but it may also be full of opportunities as well.