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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 12/07/2004TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD MEETING MINUTES ***December 7, 2004*** *** 6:00 PM *** II Council Liaison:_ Kurt Kastein I Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh 11 Chairperson: Curt Cramer Phone: 482-9822 (H) II Present: Robert Reichenberger, David Heiberg, Curt Cramer, Chip Cushman, Larry Bontempo, Tim Tillson Absent: Herb Saperstone Guest: Kraig Bader, City of Fort Collins Utilities Staff; Gary Gordier, Eric Dahlgen, Liz Stroh, Chair Curt Cramer called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM Approval of Minutes Tim Tillson moved to approve minutes, with a second by Robert Reichenberger. Minutes were unanimously approved as corrected. Broadband Over Cooper Eric gave an overview of the PRPA fiber loop project. The loop was originally built for the Utility's SCADA system to connect substations. In addition to original 26 miles, the system now has 30 miles of lateral extensions. PRPA leases dark fiber to various entities, approximately 1/3 of capacity has been leased, the most recent to Front Range Internet (FRII). The City of Fort Collins uses 2 buffer tubes, 1 buffer tube by City Utilities, 1 by PRPA and remaining dark (note: there are 12 buffer tubes with 12 strands of fiber in each buffer tube). The arrangement has generated $2.2 million in lease payment revenue to The City. Larry asked how it was funded. Eric explained that it was built as the replacement for the old SCADA system that was based on microwave technology. Tim asked about the benefit to FRII — Eric explained that by leasing dark fiber, the companies won't have to worry about franchises, the companies would be covered by the franchise with PRPA. PRPA is currently migrating from Sonet Technology to high speed Ethernet. Chip asked about POP. Eric explained that route goes to Loveland and Longmont. CSU provides the City with Internet services. 03/21/05 Eric mentioned that the Downtown Development Administration (DDA) wants to put some fiber in downtown. DDA would have to get own provider for services, and PRPA would provide fiber. Kraig mentioned that there are still many locations that don't have fiber connectivity, and the so the Utilities are exploring Broadband over Power Lines (BoPL) to extend capabilities. Kraig gave some background about how the electric piece works and how the home wire line goes from transformer to house. Each transformer serves about 12 homes per transformer. Larry asked about heat inside transformers and if there was a way to cool it. Kraig thinks that the temperature range of the equipment will withstand the heat generated. Chip asked about cost to retrofit transformer. Kraig explained that the price varies among providers. Utility applications for BoPL include remote access to data by employees working in the filed. Consumer applications include High-speed connection to home, business that could provide Internet, video, security, home automation. Chip asked about if utility vs community applications would result in a different build out. Kraig explained that it is really not different. Some considerations being explored are related to potential problems with commercial applications that would not present themselves with just utilities applications. David asked about bandwidth that would get to sites. Kraig explained that it depends, some cities have from 300 Kbps up to 13 Mbps. Chip asked if VoIP could be an application. Kraig outlined the many questions and issues that need to be explored and tested. Larry asked about specific information regarding delivery. Kraig explained that there are not specifics, and that different systems and load on feeders may have different or fewer problems. There is also a consideration about radio operators. A national org has been watching these trials lately to make sure that implementation would not impact bandwidths used by the Ham radio operators. Robert asked about signal degradation . Kraig explained that every quarter to half mile repeaters would have to be installed to boost the signal. Robert asked about reliability. Kraig explained that existing electric distribution system availability is good, but depends on a variety of circumstances. Larry asked for another update after the trial. Kraig is hoping for good data, and will be providing the mfg with info on the problems encountered. In terms of production of ccrnponents, larger companies are working on the components, smaller companies are manufacturing the cabinets. Europe is further along — probably because he density of homes is higher. Kraig emphasized that there are a lot of considerations that still are being explored. There are rumors that Xcel Energy is looking at this technology, and others are waiting to see how trials come out. Customer Service Standards The Board reviewed the proposed draft of Cable TV customer service standards, and approved a motion to support the formulation of customer service standards. 03/21/05 Other business Curt talked about some of the things that are going on in the industry. Pennsylvania legislature passed a bill that would not allow any municipal to offer a W IFI service. Philadelphia had already implemented that service, and Verizon is negotiating with Philadelphia to provide service. The digital divide is an issue there since many of the people are lower income and this would help in that area. Several communities are already putting in a WIFI service as an economic development strategy. Curt suggested that the board have a discussion about whether the city should explore a WIFI service by municipal utilities. Curt fells the board should make a recommendation to Council about whether or not the City should explore this. Curt mentioned that Utah also passed a law — but was not sure how restrictive it is Curt suggested a brief report to council, written about whether or not the City should explore the service. Gary mentioned that some businesses already offering the service, and there would need to be lot of discussion about the details and issues. Curt wants to be informed about this, and investigate different models based on how the different cities are handling things. He also mentioned that ESPN is offering a cellular service, and would be interested in tracking who is offering cellular service in Fort Collins. SBC (a major telecommunications provider) has reported that when broadband service is rolled out, the company will offer a video service and will "probably be a la carte video". Also, the Supreme Court has agreed to decide if Cable companies have to share modem service. San Francisco Circuit Court decided it was a telephone service, a ruling that has been appealed to the Supreme Court. The ruling should come in the next 3-4 months. Comcast Update Stan mentioned that company vice presidents would be coming to Fort Collins to ride along with technicians in an effort to better understand customer needs. Larry asked about Comcast's annual rate increase. Stan responded that there will not be an increase in Fort Collins in January or February, 2005. Adjournment Larry moved to adjourn, seconded by Chip. Motion was passed unanimously. Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM. QUZ44 Chair .dr -o S Date 03/21/05