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June 2010

SEATOA spent the month of June heavily organizing its grassroots, municipalities and the private sector, to block a North Carolina telecom industry-sponsored, anti-muni broadband bill – S1209. This is the third year and fourth attempt by North Carolina's telephone and cable industry to terminate efforts by our municipalities to build fiber to the home systems. The bill took three different forms, from a moratorium on building muni broadband systems, to a bill limiting system financing to general obligation bonds and a referendum, to a Task Force and narrower moratorium which exempted current municipal providers. S1209 was finally passed out of the NC Senate, after a stalwart attempt by a Senator from our western mountain rural areas to amend the bill and strip it of the moratorium.

In two days, SEATOA was able to rally 15 Senators to vote with this Senator. However, the amendment failed – 15 to 33 – and the bill passed the Senate – 41 to 7 – and was passed on to the NC House, where it has been assigned to two committees. The NC state legislature’s session is expected to end in few weeks, and it is hoped the bill will not be addressed in time – hopefully being superseded by intense budget discussions during another harsh economic year in the state. (North Carolina has the 10th worst unemployment in the country).

SEATOA is grateful to Jim Baller, of the Baller Herbst law firm – who secured a letter from 8 nationally recognized private-sector companies and associations to our NC legislative leadership and Governor opposing the bill. These entities included Alcatel-Lucent, the American Public Power Association, Atlantic-Engineering, FTTH Council, Google, Intel, TIA, and UTC.

March 2010

Real broadband deployment continues to be the theme for SEATOA in 2010

Early April 2010 will resurrect a 3-year battle by the state’s incumbents to stop municipalities from deploying broadband – namely fiber-to-the-home systems – in North Carolina.
SEATOA expects incumbent commercial providers will try to convince legislators that they need to approve a moratorium on all municipal broadband operations until the impact on the private sector can be studied more carefully.
In the meantime, SEATOA plans to assist local governments in making the case – echoed internationally, by Google, and by the FCC through its National Broadband Plan – that high capacity broadband (something incumbents refuse to build) is a well-known catalyst for rapid economic development and jobs. As the FCC reiterated in releasing its Plan – competition increases innovation and reduces subscriber rates.

In April, D.C. comes to Asheville, NC for SEATOA’s 9th Annual Conference: “Expanding Community Networks.” SEATOA is thrilled to have Blair Levin, Executive Director of the FCC’s Broadband Initiative, Mignon Clyburne, FCC Commissioner, Tom Power, Chief of Staff to Assistant Secretary Stickling at NTIA and Jessica Zufolo, Deputy Administrator of the RUS Broadband Grant Program speaking before our southeastern audience. Conference registration is $150 for members. The Hilton at Biltmore Park Hotel room rate is $129/night. Topics will feature “how-to” updates on municipal broadband and PEG channel deployments in our four-state area. Click on the SEATOA’s website Conference link for more details.

February 2010

Real broadband deployment will be the theme for SEATOA in 2010, as the New Year introduced a renewed series of NC legislative committee meetings on the topic.

Early April 2010 will resurrect a 3-year battle by the state’s incumbents to stop municipalities from deploying broadband – namely fiber-to-the-home systems – in North Carolina. SEATOA anticipates the same type of legislation will be introduced in other states in our area.
SEATOA expects incumbent commercial providers will try to convince legislators that municipal broadband deployments will reduce the State’s tax revenues.
In the meantime, SEATOA plans to assist local governments in making the case – echoed both nationally and internationally and now by Google – that high capacity broadband (something incumbents refuse to build) is a well-known catalyst for rapid economic development and jobs. And that competition increases total subscribership in communities because services become more affordable and widely available.

NTIA and RUS 1st round broadband and computer grants continue to trickle out of the federal government. These agencies missed their November 2009 deadline by more than three months and this handicapped the ability of first round applicants to apply for the 2nd, and final, round of funds, deadline March 15, 2010. To date, key grant awards in SEATOA states include:

The North Georgia Network Cooperative (NGN) received $33 million for a combined middle mile/last mile network that will offer advanced fiber-to-the-home services in key underserved areas.
North Carolina received $28 million, awarded to MCNC for a large-scale middle mile network.

The beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC will host SEATOA’s 9th Annual Conference, focusing on community broadband and PEG issues under the theme “Expanding Community Networks” from April 26-27, 2010. Conference registration is $150 for members. The Hilton at Biltmore Park Hotel room rate is $129/night. Topics will feature national speakers on the FCC’s new National Broadband Plan and “how-to” updates on municipal broadband and PEG channel deployments in our four-state area. Click on the SEATOA’s website Conference link for more details.

January 2010

SEATOA filled the end of 2009 with visits to Raleigh, NC to monitor a review of last spring’s industry-sponsored anti-muni broadband bill “The Level Playing Field” Act.

On November 23 and Dec 14, 2009, representatives from the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the City of Salisbury, the City of Wilson, citizen activists and other local constituents descended on NC Legislature to again push back against industry charges that municipal broadband deployments will hurt taxpayers, hurt job development and even hurt the development of telecommunications in the state.
The cities responded that the reverse was actually true, and pushed for North Carolina’s state legislators to focus on broader broadband policy for the state, namely, setting a goal of fiber to the home for every resident in the state.
Presentations included documentation of the failure of North Carolina’s Video Service Competition Act, a state cable franchising law signed three years ago, which has led to no competition, no increased video choice or broadband availability or consumer accountability, and instead has led to increased cable rates.
Specifically described in this discussion were allegations that Time Warner Cable is predatory pricing in Wilson, NC and that the company is behind a two-pronged strategy to eliminate Wilson’s “Greenlight” network, NC’s first municipally-built ‘fiber to the home’ broadband system. This strategy includes lowering its Wilson subscriber rates below market pricing, while raising rates in the remainder of the state; and attempting to pass anti-municipal legislation that will block municipalities from building next generation, and truly competitive fiber infrastructures.

Planning is in full swing for the 9th Annual SEATOA Conference – “Expanding Community Networks” – to be held in Asheville, NC, from April 25-27th, 2010. We are lining up a great roster of speakers for this event and this is a great time of year to enjoy North Carolina’s mountain air – so plan to join us there. Click on the website’s Conference link for more details.


		Monthly Updates
Home SEATOA Bylaws Join SEATOA Members Conference Executive Committee NATOA P-E-G Issues Policy Issues Contact Us Links		SEATOA MONTHLY UPDATE June 2010 SEATOA spent the month of June heavily organizing its grassroots, municipalities and the private sector, to block a North Carolina telecom industry-sponsored, anti-muni broadband bill – S1209. This is the third year and fourth attempt by North Carolina's telephone and cable industry to terminate efforts by our municipalities to build fiber to the home systems. The bill took three different forms, from a moratorium on building muni broadband systems, to a bill limiting system financing to general obligation bonds and a referendum, to a Task Force and narrower moratorium which exempted current municipal providers. S1209 was finally passed out of the NC Senate, after a stalwart attempt by a Senator from our western mountain rural areas to amend the bill and strip it of the moratorium. In two days, SEATOA was able to rally 15 Senators to vote with this Senator. However, the amendment failed – 15 to 33 – and the bill passed the Senate – 41 to 7 – and was passed on to the NC House, where it has been assigned to two committees. The NC state legislature’s session is expected to end in few weeks, and it is hoped the bill will not be addressed in time – hopefully being superseded by intense budget discussions during another harsh economic year in the state. (North Carolina has the 10th worst unemployment in the country). SEATOA is grateful to Jim Baller, of the Baller Herbst law firm – who secured a letter from 8 nationally recognized private-sector companies and associations to our NC legislative leadership and Governor opposing the bill. These entities included Alcatel-Lucent, the American Public Power Association, Atlantic-Engineering, FTTH Council, Google, Intel, TIA, and UTC. March 2010 Real broadband deployment continues to be the theme for SEATOA in 2010 Early April 2010 will resurrect a 3-year battle by the state’s incumbents to stop municipalities from deploying broadband – namely fiber-to-the-home systems – in North Carolina. SEATOA expects incumbent commercial providers will try to convince legislators that they need to approve a moratorium on all municipal broadband operations until the impact on the private sector can be studied more carefully. In the meantime, SEATOA plans to assist local governments in making the case – echoed internationally, by Google, and by the FCC through its National Broadband Plan – that high capacity broadband (something incumbents refuse to build) is a well-known catalyst for rapid economic development and jobs. As the FCC reiterated in releasing its Plan – competition increases innovation and reduces subscriber rates. In April, D.C. comes to Asheville, NC for SEATOA’s 9th Annual Conference: “Expanding Community Networks.” SEATOA is thrilled to have Blair Levin, Executive Director of the FCC’s Broadband Initiative, Mignon Clyburne, FCC Commissioner, Tom Power, Chief of Staff to Assistant Secretary Stickling at NTIA and Jessica Zufolo, Deputy Administrator of the RUS Broadband Grant Program speaking before our southeastern audience. Conference registration is $150 for members. The Hilton at Biltmore Park Hotel room rate is $129/night. Topics will feature “how-to” updates on municipal broadband and PEG channel deployments in our four-state area. Click on the SEATOA’s website Conference link for more details. February 2010 Real broadband deployment will be the theme for SEATOA in 2010, as the New Year introduced a renewed series of NC legislative committee meetings on the topic. Early April 2010 will resurrect a 3-year battle by the state’s incumbents to stop municipalities from deploying broadband – namely fiber-to-the-home systems – in North Carolina. SEATOA anticipates the same type of legislation will be introduced in other states in our area. SEATOA expects incumbent commercial providers will try to convince legislators that municipal broadband deployments will reduce the State’s tax revenues. In the meantime, SEATOA plans to assist local governments in making the case – echoed both nationally and internationally and now by Google – that high capacity broadband (something incumbents refuse to build) is a well-known catalyst for rapid economic development and jobs. And that competition increases total subscribership in communities because services become more affordable and widely available. NTIA and RUS 1st round broadband and computer grants continue to trickle out of the federal government. These agencies missed their November 2009 deadline by more than three months and this handicapped the ability of first round applicants to apply for the 2nd, and final, round of funds, deadline March 15, 2010. To date, key grant awards in SEATOA states include: The North Georgia Network Cooperative (NGN) received $33 million for a combined middle mile/last mile network that will offer advanced fiber-to-the-home services in key underserved areas. North Carolina received $28 million, awarded to MCNC for a large-scale middle mile network. The beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC will host SEATOA’s 9th Annual Conference, focusing on community broadband and PEG issues under the theme “Expanding Community Networks” from April 26-27, 2010. Conference registration is $150 for members. The Hilton at Biltmore Park Hotel room rate is $129/night. Topics will feature national speakers on the FCC’s new National Broadband Plan and “how-to” updates on municipal broadband and PEG channel deployments in our four-state area. Click on the SEATOA’s website Conference link for more details. January 2010 SEATOA filled the end of 2009 with visits to Raleigh, NC to monitor a review of last spring’s industry-sponsored anti-muni broadband bill “The Level Playing Field” Act. On November 23 and Dec 14, 2009, representatives from the North Carolina League of Municipalities, the City of Salisbury, the City of Wilson, citizen activists and other local constituents descended on NC Legislature to again push back against industry charges that municipal broadband deployments will hurt taxpayers, hurt job development and even hurt the development of telecommunications in the state. The cities responded that the reverse was actually true, and pushed for North Carolina’s state legislators to focus on broader broadband policy for the state, namely, setting a goal of fiber to the home for every resident in the state. Presentations included documentation of the failure of North Carolina’s Video Service Competition Act, a state cable franchising law signed three years ago, which has led to no competition, no increased video choice or broadband availability or consumer accountability, and instead has led to increased cable rates. Specifically described in this discussion were allegations that Time Warner Cable is predatory pricing in Wilson, NC and that the company is behind a two-pronged strategy to eliminate Wilson’s “Greenlight” network, NC’s first municipally-built ‘fiber to the home’ broadband system. This strategy includes lowering its Wilson subscriber rates below market pricing, while raising rates in the remainder of the state; and attempting to pass anti-municipal legislation that will block municipalities from building next generation, and truly competitive fiber infrastructures. Planning is in full swing for the 9th Annual SEATOA Conference – “Expanding Community Networks” – to be held in Asheville, NC, from April 25-27th, 2010. We are lining up a great roster of speakers for this event and this is a great time of year to enjoy North Carolina’s mountain air – so plan to join us there. Click on the website’s Conference link for more details.