> PROPOSED AGENDA
>
> 1. Wireless Report: Skytech, City of Buffalo, MN (Dan)
>
> 2. Fiber Report: Corning, Worcester Event, Tom Moylan, RUS (Aron)
>
> 3. DSL Report: Crocker, RUS
>
> -------------------------------------------------------
> For Further Reading:
>
> 1. Broadband via Satellite: Looking Down?
> http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?
> story_title=Broadband_via_Satellite__Looking_Down_&story_id=25617
>
> 2. Funding A Broadband Alternative: Muni operations veer away from tax
> dollars
> http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/46348
>
> 3. Broadband backers try new tack
> Kane County Chronicle
>
> A revamped broadband initiative asks voters to allow the Tri-Cities
> to create an Internet, television and telephone business without
> tax-backed financing.
>
> Initiative supporters said the municipal service could be created
> with private financing at no risk to taxpayers. City officials
> expressed support for such an idea.
>
> The proponents said they intend to start a signature campaign this
> week to persuade enough voters to qualify the question for the Nov. 2
> ballot in the cities. They have until Aug. 16 to collect the
> signatures.
>
> The push for the ballot question comes more than one year after
> Tri-Cities voters defeated a similar plan. Nearly 60 percent of voters
> came out against the proposal. And the plan is likely to face staunch
> opposition from Comcast and SBC, which spent tens of thousands of
> dollars to pull the plug on the idea last spring.
>
> Broadband supporters said the new question is different than last
> year's plan because it asks voters to allow the cities to create the
> service, but not use tax-backed financing. Last year's question
> allowed for such financing.
>
> "What we are asking voters is to allow the cities to build, own and
> operate a cable TV, high-speed Internet and telephone utility to be
> financed with no tax-backed financing," said Annie Collins, Fiber for
> our Future chairman.
>
> The broadband proponents suggest that the cities use private
> financing approaches such as investment by groups that would front the
> money needed for the creation of the service at a low investment
> return rate.
>
> The loan would be paid back by revenue generated from the rates that
> subscribers would pay and the cities would not have liability, said
> Greg Snider, Fiber for our Future treasurer.
>
> But broadband supporters cautioned that their question asks that
> voters allow the cities to create the service and that city officials
> would have the final say as how they would fund the business without
> tax dollars.
>
> St. Charles Mayor Sue Klinkhamer said if voters embrace the idea, the
> cities already have a plan to put the service into place. She said the
> cities have experience in dealing with customers as all three run
> their own electric utilities.
>
> "It possibly would be cheaper," Klinkhamer said. "We are not in it to
> make a profit. We would be able to keep prices low. And with us, it is
> about customer service. We could provide good customer service."
>
> Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns and Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke expressed
> similar support for the idea. Burns, however, said he would not be
> surprised if SBC and Comcast fight the campaign.
>
> "The incumbent did a masterful job of scaring the hell out of the
> residents of all three communities last time. Their arguments where
> specious at best," Burns said. "I will be amazed, but not surprised,
> if they use the same tactics. I would hope they will be creative."
>
> SBC spokeswoman Andrea Brands said the company already provides
> broadband service to nearly 100 percent of the area. She declined to
> say whether the company plans a counter campaign.
>
> "Our concern has always been for residents, homeowners and taxpayers
> in the area who might have been affected by prior proposals and making
> sure that they realize the risks involved in a broadband proposal,"
> Brands said. "From our perspective, there is ample service available
> for residents. But certainly it is up to the residents."
>
> Comcast spokeswoman Patricia Andrews-Keenan said, "We think the
> voters sent a clear mandate," and questioned whether the cities could
> assume the risk to compete in the broadband industry. She said the
> company continues to upgrade its services in the area and has carried
> through on promises made to voters during last year's campaign.
>
> Fiber for our Future would need slightly more than 700 signatures in
> Batavia, nearly 600 signatures in Geneva and at least 1,050 signatures
> in St. Charles to qualify the items for the ballot, according to
> election officials.
>