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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 10/05/2004TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD MEETING MINUTES ***October 5, 2005*** *** 6:00 PM *** Council Liaison: Kurt Kastein I Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh Chairperson: Curt Cramer Phone: 482-9822 (H) Present: Herb Saperstone, Robert Reichenberger, David Heiberg, Curt Cramer, Chip Cushman, Larry Bontempo Absent: Tim Tillson Guest: Abel Chavez, Dennis Pappas, Qwest Staff; Gary Gordier, Eric Dahlgen, Liz Stroh, Kraig Ecton Chair Curt Cramer called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM Approval of Minutes Chip Cushman moved to approve the minutes as corrected, seconded by Herb Saperstone... The motion passed unanimously. Curt thanked Eric Dahlgren and Robert Reichenberger for the news updates they distributed via e-mail. He encouraged members to make information available to the Board, since the information helps educate members as well as alert them to potential issues the community might be affected by. Qwest Update Robert Reichenberger introduced two representatives from Qwest. Messrs Chavez and Pappas presented information about Qwest's current services available to the community. Over the past years, the company has focused on the "spirit of service" slogan. The goal to satisfy customer's needs also took on a proactive approach, with Qwest representatives calling customers to assess telecommunications needs. Qwest wants to emphasize the promise of value, and to satisfy the customer during the first contact. The company instituted a "one -call resolution" approach. Various different venues were used, including kiosks, 24/7 web service requests. The company has deployed teams in geographic areas to demonstrate its commitment to the "face to face" customer contact. 12/07/04 David asked about kiosks. Mr. Chavez explained that right now the service is directed toward residential, but there are plans to expand. Chip asked whether the company saw any improvements in revenue because of the kiosks. Mr. Chavez explained that not only was there improved revenue, but statistics showed that there was a slowing of customers going to other vendors. The company also has a goal of bringing voice, high speed internet, wireless and entertainment to customers. Mr. Pappas talked about the technology direction for Qwest. He reported that over the last 2 years, Qwest has spent $300 million across the western states to implement DSL, $40 million of that amount was invested in Colorado. The focus for that deployment was in key markets, including the Front Range, Grand Junction, etc. High speed service is now available to 69% of Qwest's customers in both rural and urban areas. Qwest now had remote terminals that reach beyond the 3 mile limitation of older technology, allowing them to reach into more neighborhoods that are not in close proximity to the central offices. Mr. Pappas mentioned that soon Qwest will be announcing speeds for Internet Access that match or exceed that of Cable TV providers. Right now, the DSL offering is a copper based solution at 2 speeds, 256K and 1.5 mb., which is about the same speed as at T1 line. Because Qwest will be using dedicated lines, the company anticipates that speeds will be better than Cable Internet providers, as their architecture is based on shared lines. At peak times, because of numbers of customers, the Cable internet speeds slow down. Messrs Pappas and Chavez also discussed wireless DSL capabilities, using WiMax technology (WiMAX is a standards -based wireless technology that provides high - throughput broadband connections over long distances). Qwest is also looking at Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). They have launched a product for use by small businesses, and would like to begin offering it to other consumers by the end of 2004/early 2005. Curt asked about the percentage of DSL use in Colorado. Because of technology advances in terminal design and size, Qwest can offer DLS to as few as 24 customers, with the ability to upgrade. There are also some trials investigating the ability to carry HDTV signal over DSL. Herb asked about subscribing to DSL, Mr. Chavez explained that the Qwest website is set to allow people to search to see if that service is available to them. Because TV signals use a higher frequency than voice, the same fiber/copper plant might be used to deliver both. The company is concerned about the regulatory requirements that Qwest has that others do not. The company has asked the PUC for changes that will allow a more competitive stance. Robert asked about the transition to VoIP and how that might affect the universal service fund.. Mr. Chavez explained that money going into the fund is often distributed to other states. There is legislation currently in the works to try to resolve some of the problems. He mentioned that 80% of the universal service fund is paid to 4 or 5 states. 12/07/04 The question of number portability was also addressed. Mr. Chavez explained that the company is trying to make it easy to move from wireline to wireline and from wireless to wireless. The present limitation is that a number can't be transferred from one city to another, but if someone stays in the same area, the same number can be used. Chair Curt Cramer thanked the Qwest representatives for the visiting with the board. Other Business The Chair reminded members that the next Board meeting would land on Election night and asked if members wanted to meet or not. Everyone agreed to cancel the meeting unless something comes up that needs immediate attention. Larry made a motion to that effect, seconded by Chip Cushman, with a unanimous vote in favor. Larry Bontempo moved to adjourn, seconded by David Heiberg. The motion passed unanimously. C.. ZLx (2AV sA ` la- -7- 0If Chair Date Date 12/07/04