HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 - Telecommunications Board - Annual ReportTelecommunications Board Annual Report
2007
The Telecommunications Board provided advice and support on a variety of initiatives in
2007.
Telecommunications Provider Information
The Board work plan called for research of local telecommunications providers to
compare services and prices. An intern from Poudre School District, Kat Shakleford,
met with the board to clarify scope, and collected and compiled this data. She
presented the information at the April Board meeting, and made the Power Point slide
show available to the board for any additional distribution that might be desired.
WiFi Project
This subject consumed several Board meetings. The Board invited a provider to explain
their approach to municipal WiFi mesh networks. The company was involved in an
implementation in Longmont, and explained how the public/private partnership was
designed. Tom Vosburg followed up at several subsequent meetings, explaining the
wide spectrum of opportunity in how the City might approach municipal wireless from
the City being the "anchor tenant" for a provider to a very arms length approach where
the City allows pole attachment for an agreed upon fee. Ultimately, the project
involved a public/private partnership with a local telecommunications provider, Front
Range Internet (FRII) and "went live" on July 27.
Comcast Services
Another topic of board meetings was a discussion regarding customer information on
Comcast offerings, including the Basic tier. The Board met twice with representatives
from Comcast to express concerns, and discuss ways to provide information to Fort
Collins residents about the range of services available. Resolution is still pending,
Comcast is working with their corporate offices to determine what options are available,
and the City is preparing a proposal that outlines the amount and methods of providing
consistent, complete information to the public.