HomeMy WebLinkAboutTelecommunications Board - Minutes - 04/03/2001TELECOMMUNICATIONS BOARD
MEETING MINUTES
****April3,2001 ****
*** 6:00 PM ***
Council Liaison: Kurt Kastein Staff Liaison: Liz Stroh
Chairperson: Greg Smith Phone: 686-4755 (W)
Members Present: Larry Bontempo, Greg Smith, Curt Cramer, Braun Mincher, Tim
Tillson, Bill Murray, Tom Maher
Members Absent: None
City Staff Present: Eric Dahlgren, Gary Gordier, Liz Stroh
Guests: Barton Gamer, Edie Ortega, Dan Washburn of Qwest
Josie, Larimer County
Chair Greg Smith called the meeting to order at 6:05 PM
Approval of Minutes:
Minutes were approved unanimously.
Qwest
Qwest Communications Public Affairs Manager Edie Ortega was present to update the
Board on various activities and projects in Fort Collins. Barton Garner, Qwest
Engineering Manager and Dan Washburn, National Account Manager were present to
answer any technical or account questions.
Ms. Ortega reported that Qwest had been working over the last year to upgrade the
capacity for handling calls. As the use of the Internet increases, the frequency of
lengthy call increases, which drives the need for more capacity. The north Central
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Office was converted last fall to 5ESS, as was the Harmony office. The same
capabilities have been installed in the Wellington office. The Harmony office has fiber
connections between that office and Wellington, which results in increased capacity
between the two offices.
Barton Garner provided information about the outside plant. For any structure under 12
kilo -feet from a central office a copper solution is used. Fiber feeds are terminated in a
carrier cabinet from which the copper pairs are connected that serve residences and
offices. A star configuration is used to take fiber from center outward. The life of the
wiring depends on placement. Aerial wiring is subject to the elements, "squirrel chews",
etc. In the last 18 years, buried cable has been placed in a fill cable with gel fill, which
helps keep water and air out. In these cases, the copper can last up to 50 years.
Repairs and replacement are scheduled based on number of trouble calls and repairs
made to the lines. The replacement decision is an economic one comparing the cost of
service calls to the cost of replacing the lines. Gary Gordier asked about older section
of town related to available speeds. He explained that in the downtown area his
modem speed is typically 21 K, while at his southside residence, the speed is 49K. Mr.
Garner explained the design in the older parts of town use a bridge tap design which
results in slower speeds. Newer plant has a separate wire to each house rather than
using a tap that simply extends off a main line.
Gary asked about DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) and where it was available. Mr. Garner
indicated there are distance limitations currently, and 3 miles from the central office is
the limit. Ms Ortega reported that Qwest is starting to deploy DSLM's (Digital
Subscriber Line Modulator) which will allow DSL to be deployed at a greater distance.
Customers can log on to the Qwest web site and put in their address to determine if
their location is qualified for DSL. Decisions about whether to expand DSL will be
based on availability of lines and costs. Tom inquired about potential to use DSL for
some needs at Colorado State University. CSU is looking for a way to get their staff on
a high-speed network. Dan Washburn offered to investigate the availability if given a
list of addresses. Edie will check on whether or not she can provide information about
location of future DSL deployments. She showed the Board pictures of the DSLMs,
showing that the size will be about half as big as a refrigerator They will be placed
about ever 2 to 3 miles. Qwest anticipates that property owners will not want these
placed in easements adjacent to homes because of size. Qwest plans to include
landscaping and placement as part of easement acquisition. The DSLMs will have a
"home run" feed using fiber. Mr. Garner commented that both voice and data can be
used a the same time using DSL technology, and that the architecture is such that
increased use will not impact performance, which is not the case with cable modems,
simply because of the design required for cable systems. Qwest can guarantee speeds
up to the point the connection hits the toll network. Currently 256K and 512K tiers are
being offered, and the company has the highest number of DSL users on their network.
The backbone has an OC192 switch. Edie will send information that compares cable
and DSL high-speed access. Greg asked about how fast DSL could be installed. If the
loop is qualified, the typical installation time is 3 weeks. DSL can be self -installed as
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well.
Edie commented that multiple providers is the wave of the future, citing current practice
by Qwest to lease fiber from PRPA between Longmont and Fort Collins being more
efficient than putting in separate fiber lines. While Qwest will install fiber anywhere
someone is willing to pay for the cost, they are not in the dark fiber business and do not
simply install fiber in open trenches just to have it for future use. New technology is
advancing that allows expanded use of copper, and Qwest also continues to investigate
the role of wireless.
Edie explained some of the legal issues involved with being designated the "provider of
last resort". DSL service is tariffed, and as more deregulated services become
available, the focus will continue to shift more from the equipment to the service.
Tim Tillson asked about Internet packets from the central office to the Qwest ISP,
wondering if IP or ATM was being used. Mr. Garner explained that the Qwest
backbone is IP, and ATM may be used as well.
Board members asked for a brief update on Qwest's approach to wireless, and
coverage for cell phones. Ms. Ortega described the coverage area; indicating that
there are still a few locations where signal is lost. High call volume in central Fort
Collins is also a problem. Qwest is hoping to have those problems resolved by third
quarter 2001. Edie encouraged city staff and board members to call Barton Garner with
any problems or concerns with the physical plant. When asked about the time to install
a line, Edie explained that Qwest has significantly improved their "wait time:" and that
most lines are installed within a week of the order being made. Qwest is working with
developers ahead of time to install lines to minimize the wait for new homeowners.
PUC monitors customer service and has reported that held orders (delayed
installations) are down 300%. Qwest has made a financial commitment to improving
service, which will result in less advertising and sponsorships. Qwest is also planning
to pursue offering long distance service, showing regulators that their markets are open.
Other Business:
Gary mentioned that due to time constraints the agenda item to discuss the City's
capital projects related to telecommunications would be tabled.
Tom Maher made a motion to go into executive session, seconded by Larry Bontempo.
The Board passed the motion unanimously.
The executive session concluded at 7:30 and Larry moved to adjourn the meeting,
seconded by Tim Tillson. All approved, meeting was adjourned.
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