DOCSLIB.ORG

Case Study: Municipal Fiber in Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga’S Public Power Utility Is Rolling out Fiber to 160,000 Homes and Businesses

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Case Study: Municipal Fiber in Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga’S Public Power Utility Is Rolling out Fiber to 160,000 Homes and Businesses MUNICIPAL BROADBAND Case Study: Municipal Fiber In Chattanooga, Tennessee Chattanooga’s public power utility is rolling out fiber to 160,000 homes and businesses. Energy savings, new jobs and local video content are among the benefits. By Christopher Mitchell ■ Institute for Local Self-Reliance n September 2009, EPB, the public power utility serving Chattanooga Chattanooga’s fiber-to-the-home project, one of Iand nearby communities in Tennes- see, rolled out fully fiber-powered triple- the most ambitious in the U.S., will enable smart- play services to 17,000 households. Its grid applications as well as the triple play. goal was to pass 100,000 premises by July 2010; with more than 95,000 passes in mid-May, EPB will hit the 100,000 mark more than one month early. EPB has long offered some telecom try, making Chattanooga the envy of It may take three years before all services. Starting nearly 10 years ago, larger cities. 160,000 premises are passed. In the the power utility stepped up to ensure According to a recent article in Busi- meantime, those who can sign up are that businesses had access to the tele- ness TN, Josiah Roe of Medium, a Web doing so at an average rate of 78 per day. phone and broadband networks they graphic design company, cited the ability Adding so many subscribers rapidly is needed. Those services clearly scratched to upload and transfer large files with the difficult, but EPB is actually connecting an itch, as EPB had more than 2,300 “comprehensibly better product” as an up to 100 per day. customers before beginning to expand advantage for his company. “When I go the network to everyone. One of EPB’s to Chicago or larger cities and they hear AVOIDING CROSS-SUBSIDIES early subscribers was a radiology clinic we have [FTTH], they’re just amazed Chattanooga’s quest faced numerous where 10 radiologists help rural hospi- to see a city of our size doing something lawsuits. The Tennessee Cable and Tele- tals, which may lack such specialists, to like that,” Roe says. He adds that “Chat- communications Association sued in diagnose problems. The burgeoning area tanooga is very progressive and forward- 2007 and Comcast chimed in a year thinking” in its fiber initiative. of telemedicine requires next-generation later. As private companies have done in other communities, they alleged that networks to transmit very large data files FIBER AND THE SMART GRID the power utility was cross-subsidizing quickly. One reason publicly owned fiber net- its triple-play telecom offering with rev- EPB’s footprint includes more than works are commonly built by public enues from the electric side. 168,000 electrical customers scattered power companies is that the power com- The private companies say such over a 600-square-mile area that reaches panies need fiber to reliably transmit cross-subsidization would be unfair to into northern Georgia. As the fiber net- data in real time to monitor the grid. them, even though cable and telephone work expands to cover the full territory, EPB’s fiber network will be used exten- companies routinely cross-subsidize it will quickly become the largest pub- sively for electrical purposes, which is from community to community – over- licly owned fiber network in the coun- why the electricity side of EPB is pay- charging in noncompetitive markets to compensate for lower prices in competi- tive markets. Nonetheless, public power About the Author companies and other public agencies Christopher Mitchell, researcher for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, writes regu- have learned to keep meticulous books larly at www.muninetworks.org and can be reached at [email protected]. to show they are not cross-subsidizing, “Breaking the Broadband Monopoly,” the report from which this article is excerpted, and courts have upheld their financial is available at www.muninetworks.org/reports/breaking-broadband-monopoly. arrangements. 40 | BROADBAND PROPERTIES | www.broadbandproperties.com | MAY/JUNE 2010 MUNICIPAL BROADBAND CHATTANOOGA EPBFI PRICES EPB hopes to recoup its investment primarily from automating the reading Network speed Price of its 160,000 meters, reducing theft 15 Mbps $57.99 of power and generating revenues from video and telecommunications services 20 Mbps $69.99 that are made possible by the fiber optic 50 Mbps $174.99 network. 100 Mbps $349.99 TRIPLE-PLAY COMPETITION All network speeds are symmetrical and consistent. Several tiers of phone and Over the next three years, EPB expects to video service are also available, and discounts are applied for bundles. sign up at least 35 percent of the house- holds in its footprint for its telephone, ing $160 million of the network’s $220 only to those residents who are taking Internet or television services. Comcast million expected cost. EPB received a telecommunications services. Those who has now made Chattanooga a priority $111 million stimulus grant from the do not subscribe to fiber-based telecom for investment, offering its “up to” 50 U.S. Department of Energy, allowing it services will be given electric meters that Mbps down/5 Mbps up cable Internet to cut the project’s expected completion connect wirelessly to a mesh network service. Although Comcast often ad- time down to three years from 10. and send usage data to an access point at vertises introductory rates that increase Though many utilities are turning a nearby fiber-connected home. dramatically after the introductory pe- to wireless networks for smart-grid data Some critics have claimed the electri- riod is over, publicly owned networks transmittal, EPB fears the terrain in its cal side of EPB should pay less for the typically resist using such gimmicks. service area is not suitable for long-range fiber network, but the Electric Power In an interview with the Chatta- wireless solutions. Fiber is considerably Research Institute, a trusted source in nooga Times Free Press, Katie Espeseth, more reliable than wireless networks, these matters, has validated the EPB vice president of EPB Fiber Optics, ex- but the upfront costs are indeed higher. numbers. Additionally, the smart-grid plained that EPB would market its ser- To reduce costs, EPB is running fiber pilot project is already showing benefits. vices based on long-term quality rather MAY/JUNE 2010 | www.broadbandproperties.com | BROADBAND PROPERTIES | 41 MUNICIPAL BROADBAND PACKAGES AND PRICING: ADVICE FOR MUNICIPAL PROVIDERS For a municipal provider, responding to a price war is Take advantage of the advanced fiber network. Many difficult. Incumbents, because of their scale, have ad- early muni FTTH networks offered the same slow speeds vantages in obtaining television content, and they can as DSL or cable competitors, but this approach does not cross-subsidize from noncompetitive service areas. In differentiate the public network. FTTH networks should addition, they have already amortized their networks. offer fast speeds to attract subscribers – a lesson many However, a municipal network, by emphasizing its lo- recently built networks have taken seriously. cal nature and better quality (higher broadband speeds, faster response to technical problems), can be poised AVOID LOW ARPU to compete even if its short-term price is slightly higher Because connecting a customer to a fiber network can than the incumbent’s. cost between $750 and $1,000, a subscription to a low- If incumbents lower their rates, the community priced triple-play tier can take more than five years to should receive credit for those savings. Keep a record repay the up-front costs. A customer who takes only of price changes over time, preferably by collecting bills phone service will be a fiscal drain on the network for from the incumbents. Some incumbents offer special many years. deals only on the phone; advertised rates may not re- The fact that average revenue per user (ARPU) is a key flect subscribers’ actual costs. metric for a network’s financial success creates a tension between the goals of financial success and lower costs for NETWORK SPEED/PRICE the community. Communities have dealt with this pricing COMPARISONS paradox in various ways. Some offer discounts to senior citizens and those living below the poverty line. Others Network Mbps Monthly Cost keep prices low but require minimum monthly contracts. In Lafayette, the lowest-cost Internet service is a speedy Lafayette, La. 10 $28.95 10 Mbps symmetrical at $28.95, as long as the subscriber 50 $57.95 also takes telephone or television, increasing the monthly Loma Linda, Calif. 5 $29.95 bill to at least $44. This ensures that the utility generates Monticello, Minn. 20 $34.95 enough revenue to make debt payments and continue connecting new customers. 50 $95.35 Burlington Telecom found itself a victim of its own Reedsburg, Wis. 10 $49.95 success when some residents switched their home UTOPIA, Utah 15 $39.95 phones to the new network without taking other ser- vices. Their subscriptions hurt the network financially 50 $59.95 because their low monthly bills did not recoup the high 100 $147.00 connection costs. Educating the community about the Wilson, N.C. 10 $34.95 economics of a community network may help residents 20 $54.95 understand why these networks take so many years to pay off – especially if they offer extremely low prices. Comcast* up to 15/3 $42.95 New revenues can help offset connection costs. Con- up to 50/10 $99.95 sider new services such as home security, health care Verizon 15/5 $54.99 visits and work-at-home options. Each new service has value either to the customer or the service provider. 50/20 $144.99 How much might a customer value the ability to Free (France)** 100 $33.00 check in on her home through a video and security con- Japan*** 100 $44.00 –$48.00 nection while on vacation or business travel? What is the Table reflects regular rates absent discounts for pro mo tion value to rural health care providers of checking in with or bundling.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • In the Matter of ) ) City of Wilson, North Carolina ) ) Petition for Preemption of ) North Carolina General Statutes ) § 160A-340 Et Seq
    Before the FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20554 ____________________________________ ) ) In the Matter of ) ) City of Wilson, North Carolina ) ) Petition for Preemption of ) North Carolina General Statutes ) § 160A-340 et seq. ) WC Docket No. 14-115 ) The Electric Power Board of ) Chattanooga, Tennessee ) ) Petition for Preemption of a Portion of ) Section 7-52-601 of the Tennessee Code ) Annotated ) WC Docket No. 14-116 ) ____________________________________ ) COMMENTS OF THE FIBER TO THE HOME COUNCIL AMERICAS IN SUPPORT OF ELECTRIC POWER BOARD AND CITY OF WILSON PETITIONS, PURSUANT TO SECTION 706 OF THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1996, SEEKING PREEMPTION OF STATE LAWS RESTRICTING THE DEPLOYMENT OF CERTAIN BROADBAND NETWORKS Heather Burnett Gold President Fiber to the Home Council Americas 6841 Elm Street #843 McLean, VA 22101 Telephone: (202) 365-5530 August 29, 2014 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY ............................................................................................1 I. MUNICIPAL UTILITIES HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY WHERE PRIVATE PROVIDERS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED ADEQUATE ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY IN A REASONABLE AND TIMELY FASHION ............................................................................................................3 II. STATE LAWS AND RULES THAT BAR DEPLOYMENT OF ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY BY MUNICIPAL UTILITIES IN AREAS WHERE PRIVATE PROVIDERS HAVE NOT DEPLOYED ADEQUATE ADVANCED TELECOMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITY IN A REASONABLE AND
    [Show full text]
  • DRAFT Benefits of Broadband Competition in Terms of Service and Opportunities for Low-Income Communities
    DRAFT Benefits of Broadband Competition in Terms of Service and Opportunities for Low-Income Communities Prepared for the City of Madison, Wisconsin Benefits of Broadband Competition | DRAFT | March 2018 March 2018 Contents 1 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1 2 Research Overview on Competition and Digital Equity .......................................................... 3 3 Two Case Studies on the Effects of Competition .................................................................... 6 3.1 The Google Fiber Case ...................................................................................................... 6 3.1.1 Arrival of Google Fiber in Kansas City ....................................................................... 6 3.1.2 Comcast and Time Warner Cable Announce Free Speed Increases ......................... 6 3.1.3 AT&T Announces Upgrades and Cites Push for “Competition” ............................... 7 3.1.4 Incumbents May Have Boosted Speeds as Early as 2012 ......................................... 7 3.2 The Urbana/Champaign Case ........................................................................................... 7 3.2.1 The UC2B Network .................................................................................................... 7 3.2.2 Incumbent Response Began When UC2B Starts Connecting Homes ....................... 8 3.2.3 AT&T and Comcast Stopped Raising Prices and Comcast Boosted Speeds .............
    [Show full text]
  • Fiber Trends: What 2021 Promises for the Broadband Industry
    INDUSTRY ANALYSIS Fiber Trends: What 2021 Promises For the Broadband Industry The 2021 broadband plans of incumbent telcos, independents, cable operators and electric co-ops will have a ripple effect on consumers and businesses. By Sean Buckley / Broadband Communities s the new year begins, BROADBAND the next decade if the telecom companies COMMUNITIES is asking industry successfully execute on their plans,” said Acolleagues what will drive the broadband Jonathan Chaplin, equity analyst for New industry in 2021. If anything is clear about the Street Research, in a research note. “This would past year, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted take FTTH availability from 25 percent to that broadband has gone from being a luxury to a 35 percent of households – we assume growth necessity for remote learning and remote work. in occupied households of about 1 percent.” Key to that is a fiber-based symmetrical Render predicts that the potential number of connection. Whether service is from homes that could be passed by FTTH will be an incumbent telco, a cable company, a even larger when taking into account that a host municipality or an electric cooperative, fiber has of emerging players are building out service to a ripple effect: It gives consumers higher speeds more homes. “There are more than 1,000 other and can serve as an economic development tool providers in the United States alone – some to attract and retain businesses. small, some medium, some large – that add RVA LLC noted that as of 2020, more than up to more than 10 million,” Render said. 54 million U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • FCC-15-25A1.Pdf
    Federal Communications Commission FCC 15-25 Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) City of Wilson, North Carolina ) WC Docket No. 14-115 Petition for Preemption of North Carolina General ) Statute Sections 160A-340 et seq. ) ) The Electric Power Board of ) WC Docket No. 14-116 Chattanooga, Tennessee ) Petition for Preemption of a Portion of Tennessee ) Code Annotated Section 7-52-601 ) MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER Adopted: February 26, 2015 Released: March 12, 2015 By the Commission: Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners Clyburn and Rosenworcel issuing separate statements; Commissioners Pai and O’Rielly dissenting and issuing separate statements. TABLE OF CONTENTS Para. I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................. 1 A. Executive Summary......................................................................................................................... 1 B. Background.................................................................................................................................... 17 1. The Commission’s Mandate Under Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act ................. 18 2. The EPB Petition and Territorial Restriction in Section 601 .................................................. 22 3. The Wilson Petition and H.B.129 ........................................................................................... 33 II. PREEMPTION OF PROHIBITIONS ON MUNICIPAL PROVISION
    [Show full text]
  • Blair Levin and Denise Linn a Guide for Community Leaders Seeking
    THE NEXT GENERATION NETWORK CONNECTIVITY HANDBOOK A Guide for Community Leaders Seeking Affordable, Abundant Bandwidth Vol 2.0 December 2016 Blair Levin and Denise Linn Gig.U: The Next Generation Network Innovation Project Published by the Benton Foundation 2 Dedication This Handbook is dedicated to the hundreds of city and university officials, particularly participants in Gig.U, who over the last five years, as we explored many routes, helped guide us to significant course corrections and created the map for community-led broadband. It is also dedicated to the thousands of citizens who attended scores of meetings with us on community-led broadband, in cities large and small, in every part of the country, and who provided many insights we incorporated into our work and into this Handbook. Many of their words were wise, but none were wiser than those offered by a student at an event at the University of Maine, who, after noting all the specific reasons he was excited about having access to abundant bandwidth then said, “But what is most exciting is what we don’t yet know.” It is further dedicated to the memory of Charles Benton, a wonderful friend and coach to the Gig.U project, and many others seeking to improve the capacity of communications networks to serve all. His energy and excitement about discovering ‘what we don’t yet know’ served, and will continue to serve, as the most important type of fuel for the work of bringing affordable, abundant bandwidth to our communities. 3 Contents About this Handbook 5 What are the Funding Issues
    [Show full text]
  • Community-Based Broadband Solutions
    COMMUNITY-BASED BROADBAND SOLUTIONS THE BENEFITS OF COMPETITION AND CHOICE FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HIGHSPEED INTERNET ACCESS The Executive Office of the President January 2015 1 Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................... 3 Economic Benefits of Broadband ...................................................................................................... 5 Challenges in Broadband Access and Adoption ............................................................................... 6 Broadband Competition .................................................................................................................. 10 Community-Based Broadband ........................................................................................................ 13 Chattanooga, TN: Gigabit service drives investment, innovation .............................................. 13 Wilson, NC: Municipal broadband encourages private competition ......................................... 14 Lafayette, LA: Network increases customer savings, strengthens local anchor institutions .... 15 Scott County, MN: Municipal government sees savings for county, school operations ........... 16 Leverett, MA: State and federal programs enable local investment ...........................................17 Choctaw Nation Tribal Area, OK: Public private collaboration brings broadband to new communities ..................................................................................................................................17
    [Show full text]
  • Municipal Fiber Projects in the US
    Several municipal fiber deployments that have been in the works for a long time are getting under way. By Masha Zager ◆ Telecom Editor he mills of municipal government may grind residents, and that persistence has paid off. slowly, but they get the job done. Municipali- This month, we see substantial progress on munici- ties, even those that already own their own util- pal fiber projects ranging from the enormous Amsterdam T ity companies, don’t have the same flexibility CityNet, which is already under construction, to some small private companies have when it comes to building telecom towns in Virginia that are just beginning their planning pro- infrastructure. They have to jump through hoops and over cess. Also worth noting is that the Jackson Energy Authority hurdles that the private sector can’t even imagine: approvals – one of the earliest deployers of municipal fiber in the US by multiple levels of officialdom, public referendums, legis- – will be taking over from Cinergy as a retail provider of lative battles and lawsuits are not uncommon. Some proj- voice and Internet service to Jackson-area customers. ects fall by the wayside, and others take years to get started. We also bring you the latest updates on Verizon’s FiOS But both in this country and Europe, localities have been build, independent telcos, European and Asian projects, persistent in their goal of bringing high-speed broadband to and more. Municipal Fiber Projects in the US he City of Palo Alto, California, which issued an system and provide other benefits for the Chattanooga area. RFP for a municipal broadband system nearly a year Harold DePriest, EPB’s President and CEO, cites a recent T ago, has awarded a contract to 180 Connect Network study by professors at the University of Tennessee at Chat- Services to develop a FTTP network that covers all 31,000 tanooga and Tennessee State University suggesting that homes and businesses in the city.
    [Show full text]
  • Opposition to Proposed Merger of Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable October 2, 2014
    Opposition to Proposed Merger of Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable October 2, 2014 I. INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY Consumers Union, the public policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports,1 respectfully requests that the U.S. Department of Justice bring action to enjoin the proposed merger of Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable (“TWC”).2 We believe this merger violates section 7 of the Clayton Act, as it would substantially lessen competition, impede innovation by online video distributors, threaten innovation in equipment and platforms, and reduce the quality and diversity of information sources and services to the public, all to the detriment of consumers. Moreover, it would encourage a cascade of new mergers, opening the floodgates to even further concentration; new deals are already being proposed or reportedly under consideration in the wake of the Comcast/TWC announcement. To justify the merger, Comcast and TWC claim unconvincingly that they already face abundant and growing competition, and that they will continue to. Consumers rightly do not see it that way. Widespread consumer complaints of high prices, poor service, and no choices are unmistakable hallmarks of an absence of meaningful competition. Comcast and TWC already 1 Consumers Union is the public policy and advocacy division of Consumer Reports. Consumers Union works for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers and to empower consumers to protect themselves, focusing on the areas of telecommunications, health care, food and product safety, energy, and financial services, among others. Consumer Reports is the world’s largest independent product-testing organization. Using its more than 50 labs, auto test center, and survey research center, the nonprofit organization rates thousands of products and services annually.
    [Show full text]
  • SEC Network Affiliates 061019
    SMSO Name MSO Name Phone Number URL NCTC 3 Rivers Communications 800-796-4567 https://3rivers.net/ NCTC Access Cable Television Inc 606-677-2444 https://www.accesshsd.com/ NCTC Ace Telephone Associations (aka AcenTek & Ace Communications Group) 888-404-4940 https://www.acentek.net/2014/09/15/ace-communications-is-now-acentek/ NCTC Adams CATV, Inc (888) 222-0077 https://adamscable.com/ NCTC ADVANCED SATELLITE SYSTEMS, INC. (501) 835-3474 https://disharkansas.com/ NCTC Albany Mutual Telephone 320.845.2101 https://www.albanytel.com/ NCTC Algona Municipal Utilities 515.295.3584 http://www.netamu.com/ NCTC All West/Utah, Inc. (435) 783-4361 http://www.allwest.com/ NCTC Allen's TV Cable Service, Inc. (985) 384-8335 http://www.atvc.net/ NCTC Alliance Communications Cooperative, Inc 605-594-3411 https://www.alliancecom.net/ NCTC Allo Communications 844-560-2556 https://www.allocommunications.com/ NCTC Alpine Cable Television, L.C. (800) 635-1059 https://www.alpinecom.net/ NCTC Alta Municipal Utilities 712-200-1122 https://www.alta-tec.net/ NTTC/Vivicast Amarillo Wireless dba AW Broadband 806-316-5071 https://amarillowireless.net/ NCTC American Broadband (fka Huntel Systems, Inc.) 888-262-2661 https://www.abbnebraska.com/ NCTC American Cable TV 4COM Americas Center Corporation-Holding,LLC (618) 257-3750 https://www.manta.com/c/mtbzdpz/americas-center-corporation NCTC Applied Communications Technolgy/Arapahoe Cable TV Inc 888 565-5422 http://www.atcjet.net/ NCTC Arkwest Communications, Inc. 479-495-4200 http://www.arkwest.com/ NCTC Armstrong Utilities, Inc. (724) 283-0925 http://www.agoc.com/Contact NCTC Arthur Mutual Telephone Company (419) 393-2233 http://www.artelco.net/index.php NTTC/Vivicast Ashland Home Net Corporation 541-488-9207 http://ashlandhome.net/Default.asp AT&T U-verse (800) 331-0500 https://www.att.com/tv/u-verse.html NCTC Atkins Cablevision, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Ratingsdirect®
    STANDARD &PO OR"S RATINGS SERVICES RatingsDirect® Summary: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Retail Electric Primary Credit Analyst: Judith G Waite, New York ( 1) 212-438-7677; [email protected] Secondary Contact: Theodore A Chapman, Dallas ( 1) 214-871-1401; [email protected] Table Of Contents Rationale Outlook Related Criteria And Research WWW.STANDARDAlfDPOORS.COM/RATINOSDIRECT OCTOBER 10, 2012 1 Exhibit 6 to EPB Petition Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 199&021749 1 300000519 October 10, 2012 Standard and Poor's Ratings Upgrade - Page 1 Summary: Chattanooga, Tennessee; Retail Electric Credit Profile Chattanooga retail elec Long Term Rating M+/Stable Upgraded Chattanooga (Chattanooga Blee Pwr Brd) Unenhanced Rating M+(SPUR)/Stable Upgraded Many issues are enhanced by bond insurance. Rationale Standard & Poor's Ratings Services has raised its rating on the City of Chattanooga (EPB). Tenn's electric system revenue bonds to 'AA+' from 'AA'. The outlook is stable. At fiscal year-end 2012 (June 30), the utility had $287.5 million of debt outstanding. A net revenue pledge of the electric system secures the bonds. The higher rating reflects both our assessment of the utility's strong credit metrics in fiscal 2012 and our view that the stronger metrics are sustainable, based on our opinion that management's forecast assumptions are reasonable. In 2008, EPB issued $220 million of revenue bonds, ofwhlch $169 million funded the completion ofa fiber optic network. Initially, the fiber network was to be for infrastructure interconnectivity purposes, which allows for more automation, demand-side management, and operating savings. Now, the network also provides Internet, phone, and video service.
    [Show full text]
  • Andrew Dugan CTO, Lumen Through the Eyes of 3 Team Members
    ICT SOLUTIONS & EDUCATION NOVEMBER 2020 Getting to Know Andrew Dugan CTO, Lumen Through the Eyes of 3 Team Members ALSO INSIDE ISE EXPO 2020 Program Guide Tuning Into the Future 5G’s Surprising BFFs The Right Kind of Enablers VOLUME 38, ISSUE 11 www.isemag.com Home Sweet Digital Home Evolve your network, transform their world. Lives are transformed when people have access to affordable, reliable broadband. At Corning, we help businesses stay ahead of demand for high-bandwidth capabilities so they can deliver on the promise of life-changing possibilities like telemedicine – wherever people feel most at home. Whether you are an experienced network operator or are just bringing broadband to life for the first time, connect with Corning to for a free FTTH market assessment for your community at www.corning.com/community-broadband. © 2018 Corning Optical Communications. CRR-838-AEN / December 2018 Home Sweet Digital Home Evolve your network, transform their world. Lives are transformed when people have access to affordable, reliable broadband. At Corning, we help businesses stay ahead of demand for high-bandwidth capabilities so they can deliver on the promise of life-changing possibilities like telemedicine – wherever people feel most at home. Whether you are an experienced network operator or are just bringing broadband to life for the first time, connect with Corning to for a free FTTH market assessment for your community at www.corning.com/community-broadband. © 2018 Corning Optical Communications. CRR-838-AEN / December 2018 CONTENTS 38 Winning the 5G Marathon Requires the FEATURES Right Strategies Don’t Let Powering or Optical Connectivity Slow You Down By Kevin Bourg 12 Telecom providers who want to win the 5G marathon must embrace new powering and optical connectivity strategies.
    [Show full text]
  • An Overview of EBP's Failed Government-Owned Internet, Cable
    $'!%5<-5347 #"#% #!& %-%!" #"#% "#" ,(%"-#!!&&#"% #"#% '-#!!&&#"% #"#% &&#&"*#% -#!!&&#"% #"#% 0 ,-#!!&&#"% % #!!("'#"&#!!&&#" 77845''%'- &"'#"-53887 "' ''%# '%#*%#%#''"##-""&& #' #.47/449 &$ & & "& * $' # $ + ,&% $&" " " * # !) ! $ ( An Overview of EBP’s Failed Government-Owned Internet, Cable and Telephone Experiment in Chattanooga • The total cost of the Chattanooga Electric Power Board’s (EPB) fiber Smart Grid to taxpayers and electric rate payers is at least $552 million. The Smart Grid is the infrastructure used to provide Internet, cable and telephone services. • Electric ratepayers pay for every dime of the cost of the Smart Grid not covered by taxpayers, fully subsidizing fiber customers for the cost associated with the infrastructure built largely to provide fiber services. • Despite paying nothing for infrastructure, EPB’s fiber services are just barely profitable. • Over its life, the bond issued to partially fund the Smart Grid will cost each of EPB’s 171,975 electric customers $2,276. +$,%&%#''#" "-43; . %'%'- #*% ) - +"%- .556471:36255</3587 ***.$%#''"'+$,%&.#% • EPB received $111.6 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from the pockets of U.S. taxpayers to subsidize the Smart Grid used to provide Internet, video and phone services. • Only 11 business customers subscribe to EPB’s Gig service as of March 2014. • Despite promises of massive economic development as a result of Chattanooga government-owned fiber scheme, no new jobs have been created. • It is likely that EPB can’t actually provide its famed Gig speed internet service. The utility refuses to agree to public speed tests. • Though illegal, EPB is apparently engaging in cross-subsidization between its electric and fiber divisions. • In order to prevent negative information from being released, EPB has coerced an intern, forced an organization to terminate a professional woman and bullied media outlets by threatening to rescind advertising money if critical coverage of the utility was released.
    [Show full text]