Broadband Bytes for 2009-09-26
- (@elforesto) RT @boxee: the FCC chairman's speech about Net Neutrality http://bit.ly/49PTO9 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) FairPoint faces delisting from the NYSE. http://is.gd/3zp34 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) FCC: does it need a reboot or a wipe and reload? http://is.gd/3BTcj #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Comcast tries to keep people from jumping to OpenDNS. http://is.gd/3BTem #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Network neutrality is a reaction to AT&T's attempt to double-dip for data. http://is.gd/3DFA1 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Republicans drop opposition to net neutrality. http://is.gd/3DHbT #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) WV AG doesn't buy the official Verizon/Fontier line. http://is.gd/3DHXa #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) White spaces could be worth up to $15B in economic activity. http://is.gd/3F877 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Verizon thinks 100Mbps is crazy talk. (Give me 100Mbps and I'll find a use.) http://is.gd/3Frhq #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) The fight between Google and AT&T is getting nasty. http://is.gd/3Hd00 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Net neutrality can lead to bigger ISP profits. http://is.gd/3Hd5p #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) More broadband astroturf. http://is.gd/3Hd2h #freeutopia #
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Provo Approves Veracity Proposal
As I predicted yesterday, Provo’s Municipal Council signed off on the proposal from Veracity to merge with Broadweave and float some of the bond payment for 10 years. (I also totally called Steve Turley voting against the proposal.) I’m not surprised at all given the political climate surrounding the network. Iin a worst-case scenario where Veracity gives the network back, Provo will have had more time to come up with a Plan B and the willingness to execute it.
Want to read more? The Daily Herald and Deseret News both have their articles up.
Provo's Decision Tonight
Tonight, Provo’s Municipal Council will likely make a decision on the proposal from Veracity to float part of the bond payment for upwards of 10 years. I’m not going to delude myself or any of you: the meeting and vote is mere formality. The Council will, amidst some grumbling, approve the proposal. Steve Turley will vote against it knowing it will pass so if something goes wrong later, he can wash his hands of any responsibility. (Prudent politics, Steve, but how about owning something for a change?) Given the options that have been presented by the mayor, I don’t know that the municipal council is being given much of a choice.
Yes, there are options. Provo could take the network back with many different avenues for running it differently. That said, there exists no political willpower or stomach for doing so. If Provo doesn’t have its heart into running the network, it will be at least as badly mismanaged as it was before if not worse. They’re still in “run and hide” mode, willing to accept any moderately reasonable deal to keep the thing away from the city.
Several companies have expressed to me an interest in participating in an RFP process for the network. Provided that such an RFP process leaves enough time for companies to submit applications and the city to review them before having to make a “do or die” decision regarding Broadweave, it should be encouraged and acted upon to make sure that the Council is truly evaluating all of the possibilities before them. There’s nothing to lose by asking for more options.
Even with options other than approving the sale, I don’t think the council is going to consider them. Veracity has thrown Provo a decent pitch with a decent chance of success and this Council has already shown a tendency to vote with the mayor. (Despite their recent pushback, I doubt there will be any serious resistance.) Unless another party comes along with a better concrete proposal, it would appear that the best choice is what the council was going to do anyway. How’s that for the world’s most tepid and lame endorsement?
Broadband Bytes for 2009-09-19
- (@elforesto) How much bandwidth will your TV of the future need? http://is.gd/3evvE #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) A look at how rural residents use social media. http://is.gd/3evxP #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Did we spend too much for broadband mapping instead of too little? http://is.gd/3evDa #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) T-Mobile and Sprint may merge. Nothing like even fewer national providers to pick from. http://is.gd/3eMaK #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Good read on how the broadcast flag can interfere with your "watch it later" habits. http://is.gd/3f20h #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) AT&T thinks that gaming doesn't matter (or anything latency-dependent, like VoIP). http://is.gd/3gqNj #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Is the NTIA punting to the states? http://is.gd/3gufY #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Clearwire using point-to-point instead of fiber for backhaul. That won't work for long, guys. http://is.gd/3iQev #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Qwest pushing their fiber for wireless backhaul. (UTOPIA, where are you?) http://is.gd/3iXK1 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Major players in broadband debate are all talk, no action. http://is.gd/3jdlQ #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Wireless industry warned about the AOL walled garden trap. http://is.gd/3mgo2 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Clearwire is only a fickle friend to WiMax. http://is.gd/3mmQo #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) TV Everywhere more like TV By-the-seat-of-our-pants. No standards for implementation or ads. http://is.gd/3nMlY #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Speaking of TV Everywhere, Comcast doesn't think "everywhere" includes phones. http://is.gd/3nOjD #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) New Zealand also working on national broadband plan. *insert sheep joke here* http://is.gd/3nOnE #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) FCC says a plan for USF reform must be done by Feb. 17. http://is.gd/3oamo #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Clearwire users are grumbling about latency, slow speeds, and modem issues. http://is.gd/3oiR9 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) AT&T femtocells could hit next week. http://is.gd/3pQOf #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Verizon sees the light on landlines (i.e. that they're a dead end). http://is.gd/3pQLG #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Hulu doing internal trials of a subscription video service. http://is.gd/3qeew #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Incumbents won't have veto power on NTIA apps after all. http://is.gd/3qsIZ #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) The DTV switch isn't over. Digital cliff and channel changes are still causing problems. http://is.gd/3qICN #freeutopia #
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Broadband Bytes for 2009-09-12
- (@elforesto) No matter who ends up the new mayor of Provo, nobody has the stomach to get iProvo back. http://is.gd/30Wwo #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) iPhone exposing the weakness of AT&T's network. http://is.gd/31cBE #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) FCC wants your commends on smart grids and teleworking. http://is.gd/31cEu #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Netflix losing many Watch It Now shows to Hulu. http://is.gd/31cxf #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Yet another prediction of the death of IPv4, this time for next year. http://is.gd/32ArH #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Cable wants to use the defeat of the 30% rule to overturn the ban on exclusive contracts. http://is.gd/32MdA #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Carrier pigeon beats DSL. Which is sad. http://is.gd/32Vjg #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) YouTube isn't using anyone's pipes for free. They will spend $300M on bandwidth this year. http://is.gd/35bYz #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Comcast goes 100Mbps… for a price. http://is.gd/35c8K #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Connected Nation bails on Kentucky despite wins in MN and FL. http://is.gd/35cbS #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Windows 7 will allow CableCARD devices for all. http://is.gd/35KZs #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Sprint gets crazy with a $70 "unlimited" mobile-to-mobile plan. http://is.gd/3738r #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Full speed ahead on fiber project in Chattanooga. http://is.gd/373et #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Fairpoint likely to miss approved deadlines, regulators likely to do nothing. http://is.gd/373ow #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) RT @danlangford Layton city engineer says no more utopia in Layton for 1-2 yrs due to the economy + fed funding #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Will Hulu's lack of use data kill its ad revenue? http://is.gd/37n2d #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) RT @danlangford: standard examiners asks those running for mayor in layton about utopia http://bit.ly/noo3C #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Last.FM to use top charts from their website to fuel 4 regular radio stations. http://is.gd/39JaO #freeutopia #
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Broadband Stimulus Applicants Revealed
As of a couple of days ago, applicants for broadband stimulus funds are now listed on the NTIA’s website. Utah has a number of applicants including the University of Utah, The Utah Transit Authority, and, not surprisingly, UTOPIA.
Several rural ILECs have also gotten into the game including Emery Telecom and Manti Tele Communications. Emery is apparently looking to deploy FTTP to beef up their triple-play offerings and replace their existing HFC CATV network. The finished product would be active Ethernet like iProvo and UTOPIA with up to 1Gbps at each address served. A separate request would use FTTN and wireless to reach more remote areas. Manti, meanwhile, is looking to use WiMax to reach more remote areas that currently do not have broadband service. Both of these projects are good news for Utahns.
Ogden City has also made an application to provide broadband access to government services and underserved residents. There is also an application for what appears to be a city-wide WiFi network. Given their reluctance to join UTOPIA, it’s rather surprising that they have done an about-face on city-provided services. My best guess is that they were holding out for someone else to pay for it.
So what about UTOPIA? They made three separate applications totaling around $54M. The only thing available is a general overview, but the requests appear to be targeted at Orem, Murray, Midvale, West Valley City, Layton, and Centerville. One of them hints at using a special assessment area (SAA) to triple the impact of at least $10.5M of the money applied for. Depending on how fast NTIA can review and approve applications, we may soon know if there will be more money for UTOPIA construction in the near term.
With applicants asking for 7 times what’s available in the first round, it will be interesting to see who makes the cut.
Layton Languishing: No New UTOPIA Construction for 1-2 Years
I received word from a reader that an engineer with Layton City has indicated that new UTOPIA construction in the city will be on hold for at least a year, possibly as long as two years. The existing fiber will be served, but new installs will now entirely depend on either developers or members of a special assessment area to foot the bill. The city blames the slow economy and lack of federal funding for the halt in construction. Given that the first tranches of broadband stimulus funding from the feds is meant for rural and underserved areas, I wouldn’t count on any federal assistance to get things moving anytime soon.
(h/t: Dan Langford)
Broadband Bytes for 2009-09-05
- (@elforesto) Is the Internet having a mid-life crisis? http://is.gd/2Iiwi #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Could international phone calls be free in a few years? http://is.gd/2KgJ2 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) DTV disappointments. http://is.gd/2LycY #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Telephony Online examines the situation on iProvo. http://is.gd/2LEuI #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) The new spin on metering: it will bridge the digital divide. http://is.gd/2MH07 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Surprise, surprise: telcos and cablecos want the broadband bar set embarrassingly low. http://is.gd/2O51D #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Qwest plans to bring 100Gbps FTTP to business customers. http://is.gd/2OWAn #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Apparently more of us watch TV and play on the Internet at the same time. (I'm guilty.) http://is.gd/2QicY #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Movie rentals via YouTube? http://is.gd/2Qii8 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Canada starts its own broadband stimulus. http://is.gd/2QifN #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Vudu brings 1080p streaming rentals to LG and Mitsubishi TVs. http://is.gd/2QilZ http://is.gd/2Qimz #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Online video isn't going anywhere. http://is.gd/2QYXn #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Streaming gaming from OnLine goes into beta. http://is.gd/2SLe5 #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) FCC wants more unused wireless spectrum for broadband. http://is.gd/2SLbu #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) Frontier is going to have its hands full with decaying Verizon lines. http://is.gd/2SMWd #freeutopia #
- (@elforesto) AT&T rolls its own online video portal. http://is.gd/2SLhc #freeutopia #
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Hacked! (Or, Why it's really REALLY important to keep WordPress up to date)
I noticed some rather, er, strange behavior when I had comments e-mailed to me this morning, specifically that some odd code was being appended to the end of permalinks in WordPress. It took all of about 5 seconds to realize that my install of WordPress had been compromised. I’ve since updated to the latest version of WordPress and removed the offending code snippets, so things should be back to normal. Thankfully, they didn’t gain access to the admin panel or appear to have modified any posts or comments. Apparently Apache and PHP are configured properly so that these injection attacks result in a big bucket of fail for the attackers.
Moral of the story? Keep WordPress up to date.
Veracity Customers as Collateral: Where's the Skin in the Game?
The Salt Lake Tribune wrote up an article on Tuesday’s decision to delay the vote on accepting Veracity’s offer and it brings up interesting points on how the loan from the Energy Department’s reserves will be secured. The plan is to have existing customer accounts and any new accounts on the network act as collateral as well as Veracity’s customers on iProvo. Veracity, however, is not required to include any customers not on iProvo included in that total.
I think this raises important questions about how much skin Veracity has in this game. If Provo ended up having to seize the collateral after a default, what can they do with it? They’re legally barred from selling the services to those customers and the customers themselves will have little value of their own without the network. In that scenario, the network would be quite distressed and wouldn’t be able to fetch the same sale price as it had before. It would also be hard to convince another provider to buy the customer list.
I also have a problem with the appearance that Veracity has structured a deal that insulates them from almost all risk. If there’s nothing contractually stopping them from doing so, they could switch their customers back from iProvo to Qwest transport just before defaulting and lose nothing in the deal. If that is the case, Veracity has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I think Veracity is a great company providing great services, but my inner skeptic says that this needs additional scrutiny. I’d feel a lot more comfortable with this proposal if I felt that they had more risk involved.