PA-COMNET POSITION STATEMENTS

ON

'THE LAST MILE" AND CABLE CO-OP

 

The following members of Palo Alto Community Network (PA ComNet) hereby reassert the urgent vision that a high-speed, broadband communications network should be created to serve all residents, schools, businesses and organizations in the Palo Alto area in an economically affordable manner. To have less would be a disservice to the area where so much of the Internet originated.

The city' s commitment to the "fiber ring" development is a major and commendable step in the right direction. Through a timely, open and careful processs, it was found that the city's involvement in creating the fiber ring would be important to enhance services an d a competitive environment among service providers, be relatively risk-free, and have a high potential community benefit.

But it is the installation of "the last mile" -- the link between the fiber ring and the home, business or other user -- tha t will determine whether there is full and realistic access to the communications potential of the overall system. Decisions and policies relating to the "last mile" connections will determine whether the city's investment in the ring itself will in fact result in achieving the full community benefit of that investment.

We respectfully suggest and request that the City Council begin immediately a "last mile alternatives" evaluation similar to the successful process that led to the decision on the fiber ring.

Thank you,

Members of PA ComNet:

Imsong Lee, Chairman
Jay Thorwaldson
Margaret Cooley
Keith Cooley
Nadine Grant
David Greene
Marilyn Davis
Bob Moss
Paul Pease
Duane Bay
Joe Villareal
William H. Cutler
Richard Adler
Harry Saal
Marvin Lee
Alison Lee
David Harris
Louis Bookbinder
Elliot Margolies
Stan Hutchings

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Addenda relating to sale of the Cable Co-op

The announcement of the intended sale of Cable Co-op raises significant concerns relating to the vision of broad access to telecommunications services -- inasmuch as the system's existing and future connections to homes and businesses have been discussed as a po ssible part of the "last mile" linkages, if those connections would be technically appropriate.

PA ComNet as a group has not yet taken a position on the proposed sale because the full implications of the sale for the community have not been deline ated or analyzed.

However, because of the possibility that the sale could foreclose important alternatives, we urgently request members of the City Council to ask the city staff to analyze carefully the terms and implications of the sale and repor t back to the council and community in a timely manner, separate from the broader "last mile" process referred to above.

Thank you,

Members of PA ComNet

Imsong Lee, Ph.D.

Chairman of PA COMNET

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