[RTC List] Time for Solutions to Redundant Internet Connectivity

[Sean McLaughlin]

Thanks to Jim for this thoughtful and practical contribution to the discussion.

For those interested in pursuing the public policy and regulatory aspects, I'd like to suggest that we convene a meeting with RTC Board/leadership and get clear on the roles that different jurisdictions can play here.  

More than rhetoric to increase the pressure, officials with Cities, Counties and State government agencies need our help to identify the most constructive actions they can take to support ubiquitous, reliable and affordable broadband for the Redwood Coast.  

Access Humboldt is prepared to offer our support to thoughtfully approach elected and appointed officials with specific and constructive proposals to address broadband needs for public, education and government purposes..  in fact, I'll be meeting with CPUC staff later this month and would like to carry water for local efforts there.

Can RTC's leadership help to organize public, private and non-profit efforts along the lines that Jim Carlson outlined?

If so, please count us in!

Sean McLaughlin
Executive Director
Access Humboldt
P.O. Box 157, Eureka, CA 95502
tel: 707-476-1798
dir: 707-476-2873
fax: 707-476-1702
cel: 707-616-2381
e: seanm at accesshumboldt.net
web:  accesshumboldt.net

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Jim Carlson wrote:
> There are several near term solutions available for redundant internet 
> connectivity that can address immediate issues while building toward long 
> term, sustainable broadband development for the future.
>
> The ideal scenario would be that a peering point (load sharing switch) would 
> be added here on the North Coast and ATT would feed their outside data into 
> it along with alternative providers (currently 101 Netlink). The switch 
> would then distribute to ATT, Suddenlink and 101 Netlink's customers.  This 
> is not an expensive proposition. The sharing switch will be necessary when a 
> 2nd fiber is added in any case.
>
> The caveat is in getting the separate providers to cooperate on altering 
> their business model, which is currently based on continuing broadband 
> scarcity and monopoly/duopoly operations.
>
>
> One would hope that the economic damage and safety risk occurring from the 
> repeated outages should prove sufficient merit to justify a unified front to 
> leverage the service provider's cooperation.  At the very least our elected 
> and appointed officials can be enlisted to bring political pressures to bear 
> on the State administration (Governor's Office, CPUC, etc.)
>
>
> There are several sub versions of this scenario also that can occur in the 
> case that one of the providers would not be willing to agree. Obviously the 
> 2nd fiber is necessary at some point in the future and should be pursued, 
> however, in the interim, the situation can be mitigated using bandwidth from 
> the alternative provider (101 Netlink) OC3 that is currently available. 
> Using existing technology, an economically feasible OC12 link over a 
> redundant wireless path can be established as soon as the existing OC3 is 
> utilized. This would alleviate the IP failure concerns for some time until a 
> 2nd fiber is installed.
>
> Keep in mind that the near and long term interests of our community will 
> best be served by organized public and private support for both wireless and 
> fiber solutions.  The goal for our region must be far sighted with 
> thoughtful planning for the future, not merely catching up with the present 
> day.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Jim Carlson
> CEO & President, Carlson Wireless Technologies Inc.
> 1385 8th St.
> Arcata, CA 95521
> office direct 707 822 4100 video conference 75.52.142.172
>
>
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