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BlueHill,Maine–BroadbandReportByBlueHillBroadband
June26,2019INTRODUCTION
Maineranks49thinthecountryforInternetaccessandMaine’sruralcommunitiesbearthebruntofthelackofaccess.TheTownofBlueHill,Maineanditssurroundingpeninsulapartnersarenodifferent.Tobeabletosurviveandremainviable,bothtodayandinthefuture,accesstoanaffordableInternet–onethatissustainableandavailabletoeveryone–iscriticalintoday’sgrowingconnectedsociety.
Thelackofaccessand/orinadequateaccesscreatesissuesinareasthatinclude,butarenotlimitedto:TheHomeworkGap(inabilityofstudentstoaccesstheInternetfromhome);Telehealth(doctorsandmedicalpractitionersaccessforpatientfollow-upovertheinternet);AginginPlace(theabilityofseniorstoremainintheirhomeswithservices,careandneededsupport);andBusiness/Work(workingfromhome,eitherfullorpart-timeandtheabilityofcompaniestohaveneededaccessandgrowthpotential).
Thefollowingbriefreportseekstoidentifyareas,ideasandinfrastructuresthatshouldbeofconcern/interesttotheTownofBlueHill.TheassessmentwasconductedinpartasanattempttovalidateinformationcontainedintheEasternMaineDevelopmentCorporationandTownofBlueHillCommunityTechnologyPlan,submittedOctober13,2017byAxiom–aswellasprovideadditionalinsightandoptionsfortheTownofBlueHill.Itisageneralreportanditshouldnotbeassumedthatthereportcontainsallcostsandtechnicalinformationtoassistinanyplannedaction–nordoesthe“Plan”referencedabove.ThisreportisnotanattempttoaddresstheneedsforandthebenefitsoftheInternet.ItdoesaddressgovernmentalandprovidershortfallsrelatedtospecificwiredservicesinBlueHill,sotheymightnotberepeated.
Thisreportspecificallyaddresseswiredservicesonly(cableTV(i.e.Spectrum),DSL,andfiber).OtherInternetProvidersareincludedintheBroadbandSummarygraphicthatfollows.
Thereport’sintentisto:1.provideclarificationforsomeofthetechnicaltermsusedintheindustry,aswellas
provideclarityforkeytermssucha“Broadband”and“Hi-speed”thatareoftenusedandmayhaveothermeanings;
2.depictthelocation/capabilitiesofwiredservice(DSLandCable)andthelocationoftheCentralOffice(CO)andRemoteTerminals(RT)thatprovideDSL/phoneserviceintheBlueHillarea;
3.providekeyfailuresofpriorassessments,aswellasshortfallsofpastinstallations(andhowtheycanbe“fixed”);
4.provideanassessmentofwhatimprovementsmightbemadeforDSLandCabletoreachmorehomesandbusinesseswithinthetown;and
5.)brieflyaddressFibertotheHome(FTTH)asanalternative.Morespecificinformationandoptionscanbeprovidedseparately.
Theultimatedesireisthatfutureeffortsincludemoreaccuratelocalmapping,needsassessment,educationanddiscussion.Note:Atthetimeofthisreport’sdevelopment,GWI(https://www.gwi.net/about/),aninternetdeveloper/providerinMaine,hassubmittedalowcostloanapplicationtotheU.S.DepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)RuralUtilitiesServices(RUS)-specificallyfortheTownofBlueHill.Thisisfor
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fibertothehome(FTTH)andwithnofinancialresponsibilitiesfromthatloanasaresponsibilityofthetownitself.Thestatusofthatapplicationwillhopefullybeknownsummer2019.THEBASICSTheData&GraphicsContained
Thisdocumentdoesnotcaptureorrecommendasurveyofcurrentusersandtheirservicecapacities(i.e.speeds),asusersdonotalwayssubscribetothemaximumcapacityavailable,whichisneededforacompleteassessment.Theprovideroftheserviceshouldbeabletoprovidethatinformation(CCIandSpectrum)buthasnot–eventogovernmentagencieswhohaverequestedthesame.
Whilesomelimitedgraphicsthatgenerallydepictscoverageareasareprovided,thepremisefornotincludingallthathadbeenreceivedfromConsolidatedCommunicationsInc.(CCI)includestheconcernthattheinformationprovidedraisesmoreconcernsthanitanswers,thedepictionsarenotexplainedsufficientlytoprovideconfidenceinthedatapresentedandCCIrequestedthattheynotbeused.Onesmallgraphicelementwillbeusedthoughforacomparisonandexplainedatthatpointinthedocument.SpecificdiscussionontheCCIprovidedgraphicscanbeprovidedseparately.
Thegraphicscontainedinthisdocumentand/orprovidedforseparatediscussionhavebeenprovidedbyCharterSpectrum(oldTimeWarnerCable),ConsolidatedCommunicationsandasdevelopedtobetteridentifythoseexistingservicesandtheiroverlappingserviceareas.PremiumChoice,whohasverylimitedDSLserviceinthetown,isnotdepicted,astheservicefallswithinacoverageareaalreadyservedbyCCIandthetechnologyusedmayhavelimitedlongevityinthearea.PremiumChoicenolongeradvertisesspecificcoverageareasforDSL–orforanyotherservice.
Asnoted,theaccuracyoftheprovidedSpectrumandCCImapsisproblematic,inthatneitherserviceproviderwillprovideaccurateserviceandconnectiondataforspecificlocationstoanyorganizationinMaineortothefederalgovernment.The911datausedintheBlueHillTechnologyPlanhascleargaps(i.e.missinglocations)forresidencesintheareaandshouldnotbeassumedaccurate.Themap(s)indevelopmentforBlueHillBroadbandandnotavailableforthisreport,useroadmileagefromspecificsourcelocationsforDSLservicetodepictsignaldropthateffectivelyreducescapacitiesbelowBroadbandlevelsatlessthan1milefromtheCentralOffice(CO)oranRemoteTransmitter(RT).25Mbps/3Mbps(Megabitspersecond)isassumedavailableattheoriginationpointforthatfirstmile.Usingdistancecirclestodothesameassessment(asintheTechnologyPlan)ismisleadingsinceroadsdonotfollowstraightlinesfromthecenterofthecircleandrealdistancesareexponentiallygreater.Theultimateintentistocreateamoreaccurateserviceleveldepictionforareader/user(appliestoCCIonly)basedontheoriginationpointassumptions.
Tohelpclarify/addresstermsandideasthatmaybereferencedlaterinthedocument,thefollowingsubsectionsinclude:
1. ashortlistofcommonbasic“Internet”relatedKeyTermsthataresometimesmisunderstood,usedincorrectlyorgenerallyusedbutneverclarifiedtotherecipient;
2. graphicofatypicalWiredSpaceonautilitypole;3. graphicandsummaryofMaine’sunique–“ThreeRingBinder;”and4. abroadbandsummaryofallproviders(wiredandwireless).
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KeyTerms• Broadband:FCC&ConnectMEdefineas25Mbpsdown/3Mbpsup.TheFCCprovidesa
specificcapacity-whichchangesovertime.• Broadband:Intendedtodefineaspecific“Capacity”ortheabilitytosendadefinedamount
ofinformationovertheInternetwithinonesecond.“Speed”(High-Speed)isoftenused/confusedwiththeword“Capacity.”
• Lastmile:Notadistancereferencebutreferstothefinallegofanetworkdelivery.• Capacity:Howmuchinformationaconnectioncan/doestransfer–definedinMbps.• High-Speed:Generaltermimplying“fast”orahighcapacityInternetconnection.Anything
aboveDial-upisfastJ.• Bandwidth(Computing):Bandwidthisthedataspeedsupportedbyanetwork
connection.• Bandwidth(SignalProcessing):Measureofthewidthofarangeoffrequencies,measured
inHz.• Megabyte(MB):MBisamultipleoftheunitbyteandisonemillionbytesofinformation.• Megabitpersecond(Mbps):Unitofmeasure.Mbis1/8thofaMegabyte.MBandMbare
NOTinterchangeable.• DigitalSubscriberLine(DSL):Internet“medium”usingregulartelephonelines&special
equipment.NotallphonelineshaveDSL.Themediumhasmajorlimitationsduetoage,sizeandresistance.It’scopper!
• Cable:CopperwiresformthestructureandthekeylimitationisthatRFpassesoverthecoppermediumandissubjecttosignallossoverdistance.It’scoppertoo!
• Fiber(FiberOptics):FiberInternetuseslightasthemediumforthetransmissionofinformationandhasvirtuallynodistancelimitsandcapacitylimitisunknown.
• WIFI:Wi-FiorWiFiisatechnologyforwirelesswithdevicesbasedontheIEEE802.11standards.Rangeistypicallyveryshort.Withinahouse-approximately50feet.
• Cable:CharterCommunicationsownsSpectrum,anISPthatincorporatesbusinessessuchastheoldTimeWarnerCable.
• DSL&BusinessFiber:ConsolidatedCommunicationsInc.(CCI)• Overbuilding:Buildingonesystemoveranother–Itisgettingattention!
Note:Theterm“CableTV”isgenerallyassociatedwithatraditionalcopperlineprovidedspecificallyforthatpurposebyproviderssuchasCox,Spectrum,Comcastandothers.Today,“CableTV”isalsoprovidedoverfiberbyotherInternetServiceProviders(ISPs)ofallsizesandisnotlimitedtothecopperlinethatmanygenerallyassociateitwith.
WiredSpace
TypicalNorthAmericanutilitypole,forresidential240/120Vsplit-phaseservicedrop:
(A,B,C)3-phaseprimarydistributionwires,(D)Neutralwire,(E)Fusecutout,(F)Lightningarrestor,(G)Singlephasedistributiontransformer,(H)Groundwiretotransformercase,(J)"Triplex"servicedropcablecarriessecondarycurrenttocustomer,(K)Telephoneandcabletelevisioncables
Note:REDArrowindicatesCableTV(CATV–i.e.Spectrum)specificdrop
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ThreeRingBinder(MaineFiberCo.)
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(2012)-Networkroughly185,000strandmiles(90%Uncommitted)entirelyabove-ground(29,000“telephone”poles).Projectisthe“middlemile,”&connectsanchorinstitutionssuchasUniv.ofMainecampuses&Internetserviceprovidersthatsellbandwidthtoindividualcustomers.Internetserviceprovidersandtelecomcompaniesprovidethe“lastmile.”
$25.4millionFederalstimulusgrant,$7.4million-75privateinvestors.Investmentsrangedfrom$25,000–morethan$100,000.GrantFundssetasidethroughtheAmericanRecoveryandReinvestmentActtoimproveaccesstobroadbandInternetservice.
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ThesummaryabovereflectsprovidersthatareavailabletotownsontheBlueHillPeninsula.NotallofthespecificsofthosesystemsarenotedandnotallprovidersarelistedsuchasViacom(Exede)satellite,whichisnotupgradedtothedegreethatHughesNethasbeen.Itisadiscussionpointandreflectsbasicfactsandpointsout(seethe2ndcolumncolorcodeforcellphonesinyellow)thatdramaticservicelossescanbeexperienced–evenfromhousetohouse-andfullbroadbandaccess,especiallyinruralareasisproblematic.
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TheReportThisdocumentwascreatedtoprovidetheTownofBlueHillwithamoreaccurateandconcise
assessmentoftherealworldstatusofBroadbandinBlueHill.Thepurposeofotherreports(ingeneral)didnotfollowthatintentandmaynothavedepictednorassessedthetown’sfutureBroadbandgrowthinthesameway.Asanexample,fundingallottedforCCIDSLexpansionontheEastBlueHillRoad(identifiedinthe“Plan”)-throughUSDACAFIIfunds-wasfoundbyBlueHillBroadbandtohavebeendivertedtoanotherlocationinBlueHillwithnoservicedatefromCCI.AfalseassumptioncouldbemadeabouttheEastBlueHillRoad’sDSLservicebyusingthatreport.Otherinaccuracieswerealsonoted,whichpromptedsomeadditionalresearchforthisreport.
AbriefassessmentoftownsimmediatelyadjacenttoBlueHillforsimilarservices(CharterSpectrumandCCIspecifically)wascompletedtoassessifthoseprovidersmightbeapositiveinfluenceonneedsofBlueHilland/orBlueHill’sservicesmightmorebereadilyavailableinthoseadjacenttowns.Asexamples,itwasconfirmedthatnoothertownadjacenttoBlueHillhasCharterSpectrum,withtheexceptionofSurryandCCI’sRTslocatedinBlueHillandothertownsprovideserviceacrosstownlines-exceptwherenoDSLserviceisavailable(i.e.WesternCountyRoad).ThefollowingstatementisfromTheStateofMaineBroadbandActionPlan(March2018)and
identifiestherecentchangeinthedefinitionofBroadbandbytheFCCandtheStateofMaine.MostprovidersarechallengedtoachievecomplianceaswellasmeetfutureFCCchangestomeettheevolutionaryneedsoftheInternet.Mostimportant,thestatementdefinestheState’sbasisfor“unserved”subscribers,as“thoselocationswhereavailableservicelessthan25Mbps/3Mbps.“
“Wewillredefineunservedpotentialsubscribersasthoselocationswheretheavailableserviceislessthan25Mbps/3Mbps(currentunserveddefinitionislessthan1.5Mbps/768k),andunderservedpotentialsubscribersasthoselocationswheretheavailableserviceislessthan99Mbps/10Mbpsandgreaterthan25Mbps/3Mbps,(currentunderserveddefinitionislessthan10Mbps/1Mbpsandgreaterthan1.5Mbps/768k).RedefiningthesedefinitionswillmorecloselyaligntheMainestandardstothefederalstandardsusedbytheFCCandotherfederalagenciesandtheirfundingprograms.ThecurrentFCCstandardconsidersserviceat25Mbps/3Mbpsasserved.”
Summary:Anyservicebelow25Mbps/3MbpsisUnservedby/withBroadband.TheGoal
ThegoalwastoidentifywiredInternetserviceareasaswelltoassessareaswithoutanywiredInternetservice,otherthandial-up.ThebasisofthereportservestovalidatethattheTechnologyPlanconductedbyAxiomshouldnotbeusedforitsstatedpurposedduetoinaccuracies,misleadinginformationandinaccurateassumptions.AsummaryisprovidedintheAppendix.Ultimatelythelimitedsurveyinformationsubmitted(107residentialrespondentsofover1500residences)wassignificantlylessthanothertownssurveyed,andfailedtofocusonthebasicpremisethatBlueHillisgenerallyunservedwithareasofnowiredservicethatcanbeclearlydocumented.
Thegoalwastovisuallyassesseverymain,secondaryandtertiary(private)roadinBlueHill,identifyingwherespecificInternetrelatedcablingisonutilitypoles,whereDSLRTsarelocated,aswellasthelocationoftheBlueHillCentralOffice.
1. Thesurveydidnotaccesscapacity(i.e.speed)atspecificlocationsexcepttoprovidegeneralguidanceforwhatcouldbeavailable.
2. Thesurveydidassessanywireless,WiFiorsatelliteserviceotherthantoidentifywhatoperatesingeneralareas.
Theproductisashortreporttoidentifycablelocations/routes,RTandCOlocations,aswellasidentifyapartiallistofspecificroadsnotservedbyanywiredproviders.Thisproblemcanand
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shouldbefullyassessed,whenandiftheTownofBlueHilldecidesthat“Broadband”forthetownisapriority.SurveyProcessClarification-Nohouseorbusinesswassurveyedandalldatawasgatheredbyvisuallyassessingwhatisonaroad(publicorprivate)bysimplevisualrecognitionandlimitedpersonalcontactwithresidents.
1. CableRouting.a. CharterSpectrumcablingwasidentifiedonmain,secondaryandtertiary
roads(asapplicable)tothepointthattheyend.Thepolelocationwasdocumented.
b. CCIfiberwasidentifiedonmain,secondaryandtertiaryroads(asapplicable)tothepointthattheyend.Thepolelocationwasdocumented.
2. CCICOandRT’sa. COislocatedatthecornerofPleasantandHighStreetsinBlueHill.Sitehas
beendocumented.b. RT’swerephotographed(seebelow)anddocumentedandthespecificroad
locationnoted.3. OverlayingCCIservicesontopofaprovidedSpectrummapusedageneralmap
format-withthegoalofamoredetailedmaptofollowatalaterdate.DSLSignaldropdatawasthenidentifiedtobestrepresenttheinformationobtained.
DataSummaryCharterSpectrum-(CableTV)Overview
1. EllsworthRoad–EllsworthtoMainSt.(incompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)2. TurkeyFarmRoad–EllsworthRoadtoPaleoLaneandallofPaleo.
a. Incompletebuildout!(Thisandrelatedroadsarenotbuiltout–Spectrumserviceisincomplete.)(IncompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)
3. DowntownVillageofBlueHill–allRoads4. EastBlueHillRoad–EllsworthRoadtoSteppingStoneLane(incompleteSec./Ter.
Rds.)5. PleasantStreet–MainSt.toMountainRoad(incompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)6. UnionStreet–MainSt.toBeechHillRd.7. ParkerPointRoad–MainSt.toFallsBridgeRd.(incompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)8. SouthStreet–TrafficCircletoFallsBridgeRd.(incompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)9. MinesRoad–TrafficCircletoVikingLumber10. BeachHillRoad/HinckleyRidgeRoad–TrafficCircletoAstbury(incomplete
Sec./Ter.Rds.)11. FallsBridgeRoad-SouthSt.to~BrooklinTownLine(incompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)12. SaltPondRoad–FallsBridgeto~SedgwickTownLine(incompleteSec./Ter.Rds.)
a. TimberLedgeLane–OffSaltPondRoadisanexampleofaprivateroadwithlimitedhousingbutwithSpectrum.
Examplesofdeficiencies:1. Isolation:NoMainorSecondaryroadsinBlueHill(withSpectrumservice)serveallhomes.
Buildoutisincompleteandisolatesresidences,asnolowerlevelprovider(i.e.CCI)wouldspecificallyexpendsubstantialfundsforalimitedtakerate.
a. Despitecablebeingonamainroad,thoselocatedapproximately150feetfromtheroadmayormaynothaveservice.Atlongerdistancesthosewiththeservicemaygenerallyhavetopayfortheadditionalcabletothehome/business.
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2. Excessivecosts:ThecosttoconnecttoSpectrumcablefromaservedroadcanandhasexceeded$30,000inBlueHillforatleastoneresidence.At$5,000for.025miles,itisanuneconomicalsolution.
3. Time&FundstoComplete:BasedontheruralnatureoftheareaandtheexistingroadbuildofSpectrumservice,therewouldneverbeatimewhenservicewould/couldbeprovidedtoallBlueHillresidencesasprivatefunding,townfunding,state/federalgrantsandSpectrumfundswouldallberequired–andatacostthatultimatelyexceedsthecompletebuildofnewerandmorecapabletechnologieswhichwouldeventuallyreplacecable/DSL.CableandDSLbothhavelimitedtechnology/userneedlifespans.
4. Lackofprovidertransparency:NoopenresourcesareavailabletodeterminewhoisservedbySpectrum,whatcapacities(orlackofinsomeareas)areactuallyavailable.TheTechnologyPlandepictionsandassessmentofcoverage,assumesaccurate911dataandareacoveragewhichconflictswiththeassessmentsmade.The“passingby”phraseisusedbySpectrumtoidentifycoverage,ratherthatthemoretransparent“connectsto”phrase.
5. Serviceusefulness:SpectrumoffersInternet,CableTVandPhoneservice(VOIP)thatareallavailablethroughotherInternetServiceProviders(ISPs)–somebutnotall-atlesscost.TheCATVmodelhasbecomeoutdated,withusersdemandingonlyspecificchannelsthatfittheirneeds–butthatSpectrum(andotherlikeproviders)willnotprovide.
6. Transparency:SeveralresidentswereunawarethatSpectrumservicewasavailableattheirlocationsuntiladvisedofitsavailability,despitethefactthattheservicehadbeenavailableforatleast5years.ThoroughpubliccommunicationisneededtoeffectivelycommunicatechangesinInternetavailabilityisanyareaaffected.
PhotosExamples:1.(LeftPhoto)Spectrumisthecablewithadroop-3rdlineupfrombottom.“Snowshoe”objectonsecondlineuptotherightisassociatedwithfibercable.PhotoisatMain&HighStreetsinBlueHill.2.(RightPhoto)Anyfibercablecanbeidentifiedwithorangecapsadjacenttothepoles.EachhasamarkingtoIDtheowner.Noorangecap–nofibercable.Orangeisvisibleinbothphotos.
Consolidated(CCI)–(DSL)(CO&RTLocations)BlueHillLocations
1. HighStreet(N.cornerofHighandPleasant)-CentralOffice(CO)2. MorganBayRoad(176)(E.side44°25'47.6"N68°30'43.1"W)–RT3. EllsworthRoad(172)–NoRTonroad!
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4. PleasantStreet(15)(E.sidejustpriortoHinckleyRidgeRoad)-RT5. FallsBridgeRoad(175)(S.side,BetweenSouth&ParkerPt.Road)-RT6. MinesRoad(176)(N.sideofMines.2misouthofGrindlevilleRoad)–RT(Notin
Service)LocatedRTsthatservicelimitedareasofBlueHillarelocatedin:
a. Penobscot:PleasantSt.(RT15)b. Brooksville:RT176c. Brooklin:HalesHillatHighStreetintersection.d. Brooklin:BayRoad
Note:GapsinRTcoverageleaveover10%ofBlueHillresidenceswithoutbasicwiredInternet.GapdistancesbetweenCOtoRTorRTtoRTwereassessedassignallossandlackoffiberonaroad(toaddanRT)isolateresidencesinthetown.Examplesofdeficiencies:
1. NoRT(notenough):TheEllsworthRoadinBlueHillhasnoRTsbetweentheCOand-ataminimum-theSurryGeneralStore.NoRTswerenotedintoEllsworth.ThemainroadisservedbySpectrumandfewsideroadshaveSpectrumservice.OtherroadshavetoogreatadistancefromasendingCOorRTtoprovideanyDSLInternetserviceatall.
2. LargegapbetweenCO&RT:OntheEastBlueHillRoad,thefiberlinesfromBlueHillendinanold(rusty)junctionbox3.3MilesfromtheCO.Thelinesrestart,thenendattheRTontheMorganBayRoad,whichservicespropertiestowardsSurryandEastBlueHill.TheBlueHillfiberlineendsatthejunctionboxnotedabove–2.2milesfromtheMorganBayRoadRT.ItisassumedthattheRTservicesendatthatpoint.
3. LackofFiber:NofiberexistsonmainroadsthatneededitinordertoaddanRT.ThisspecificallyappliestoHinckleyRidgeRoadandFallsBridgeRoad.BothhaveresidencestoofarfromasendingRTtoreceiveDSLsignalsand/oraretoofarfromSpectrumonthemainroadtoeconomicallyconnect.
4. Lackofprovidertransparency:NoopenresourcesareavailabletodeterminewhoisservedbyCCIDSL,whatcapacities(orlackofresourcesintheRTs)areactuallyavailable,andtheaccuratedirectionanddistanceoftraveloftheRT’ssignal.TheTechnologyPlandepictionofsignaldirectionconflictswithCCIprovideddataandwasfoundtobeinaccurate.ItalsodidnotidentifyothertownRTprovidedservice(plannedorexisting).
5. Poor/inconsistentwiring:CCIcopperlinesareregularlybeingserviced,repairedand/orreplaced,asneeded,forcorrosionpronewiringthatresultsinsignallossesandserviceoutages.Asignal“improvement”of.2-.3Mbpswasnotedwhenservicelineswerechangedinonelocation.
6. Poorbasiclineservicing:ThisissuecanbeseenontheEastBlueHillRoadandotherswherewireoverwrapisseparatingandinsomeplaceshangingwellbelowthelines,presentinganelectrificationandsnaghazard.
7. Signaldrop:Thesignaldroponphonelines(DSL)issuchthatunlessabusinessorresidenceislessthan1milefromtheCOoranRT,theyareeffectivelyunservedforBroadbandwithservicebelow25/3.
8. Assumptionforservice:ItwasassumedandcommonpracticetonotconnectusersforDSLiftheCOorRTexceeds3miles.ThatassumptionforserviceisviolatedinBlueHillandotherruralareaswhereconnectionsaremadebeyondthatdistance.Howfarisunknownbut3.3mileswasvalidatedinthesurvey.
a. Inaddition,“bonded”service(pairedADSLphonelinesvs.single),whenrequestedandinstalled,isabletoincreaseDSLcapacity.TherearenotenoughphonelinesinBlueHilltoprovidebondedDSLservicetoallthoserequestingit.
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i. Insomecases,asnotedinBrooksville,therearenotenoughlinestoserviceexistinghomeswithsinglelineDSLservice.
9. Serviceusefulness:CCIoffersInternetandphoneservicewithphoneavailableatover3xthecostthroughVoiceOverInternetProtocol(VOIP).ThephonelineDSLallowsforInternet,streamingTVandVOIP,butwithlimitationsbasedonauserscapacity.
10. Transparency:Whilenotspecificallynotedasawidespreadprobleminthesurveyinthesurvey,thoroughpubliccommunicationisneededtoeffectivelycommunicatechangesinInternetavailabilityisanyareaaffectedbyadditionsorchangestoRTsortheCOthatmayimprove(ordegrade)theiraccess.
Summary:Inallareas,perFCCandMaineConnectMeAuthoritybroadbanddefinitions,over80%oftheareasareunderservedusingthethenexistingunderserveddefinitionoflessthan10Mbps/1Mbpsandgreaterthan1.5Mbps/768k.Manymorethanthatarenowunserved.CentralOffice&RemoteTerminalphotosforBlueHill,Maine
CentralOfficeinBlueHill–HighSt. RT-MorganBayRd.
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Non-ActiveRT–MinesRd. RT–PleasantSt.
RT–FallsBridgeRd. RemoteTerminalTypes(RT)
PremiumChoiceBroadband(PCB)–(DSL)Thisservicewasnotassessed,thoughitisknowntohavebeenusedonacoupleofroadsintown(1-2offUnionSt).ItisbelievedthatthisserviceisWiFiprovidedtothestreetlocationsandisnotthesametypeofserviceasthatprovidedbyCCI,whichreceivesandtransmitsDSLInternetthroughtheCentralOffice.
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Note:Inthestudyperiod,itwasconfirmedthatPremiumChoice’stowerlocationonBlueHillMountainwasbeingloweredduetoanothercustomer’splacementonthetower.ThelowerlocationmeanttheeliminationofneededsignaltoWiFilocationsandcompleteremovalfromthetowerwasdeemedfinanciallyandtechnicallynecessary.ThisresultedineitherthelossofWiFiservice,oriftechnicallypossible,theshiftofsignaltootherpossibletowerlocations.Thisaffected–ataminimum–thecustomersinBlueHill,Sedgwick,PenobscotandBrooksville.ThisinformationwasobtainedfromPremiumChoiceandthecompleteramificationsarenotknown.TheservicewaseliminatedforpartsofBlueHillasearlyasJanuary2019.DSLsignaldroplimitationsapply.Bandwidthvs.distance:ThelongerthedistancebetweenDigitalSubscriberLineAccessMultiplexer(DSLAM)&subscriber,slowerthemaxpossibledatarateduetolowerfrequenciesbeingusedtolimittotalattenuation(orhigher#oferrorsathigherfrequencies,effectivelyloweringoverallfreq./datarate).Roughguidancefollows-wiredistance(basedon0.40mmcopper&ADSL2+technology)&maxdatarate.Localconditionsmayvary,especiallybeyond5,000ft.oftennecessitatingacloserDSLAM.Informationobtainedfromvarioussourcestoinclude:
1.https://www.increasebroadbandspeed.co.uk/2012/graph-ADSL-speed-versus-distance2.https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26910859-New-Fusion-average-speed-distance-chart3.https://www.speedguide.net/dsl_speed_calc.php4.https://archive.org/stream/Data_Communications_Networking_Forouzan_5th/Data%20Communications%20&%20Networking%20-%20Behrouz%20A.%20Forouzan%20-%205th%20Ed._djvu.txtDownloadCapacityat… Mile/Ft.DistanceClarification
• 25Mbpsat1,000ft. 25/3=FCC&ConnectMaine“Broadband”• 21Mbpsat5,000ft. 1Mile=5,280Ft• 8Mbpsat10,000ft. 2Miles=10,560Ft• 3Mbpsat15,000ft. 3Miles=15,840(Measuredat3.2mi.-1.6/.6(EBHRd))• 1.5Mbpsat17,000ft. 3Miles=15,840(Measuredat3.2mi.-1.6/.6(EBHRd))
Note:Bondedservice“may”doubledownloadbutminimallyaffectsuploadcapacity.“Doubling”willvarybasedonqualityofphonelineused,distanceandbaselineDSLserviceproviderallowancesovertheDSLlines,whichnegatesuploadincreases.Actualwiringusedandconditionofwire,splicesandotherphysicalfactorswillaffectSingleandBondedservice. TheuploadincreaselimitationisalsoseeninSpectrumservice(i.e.25/3to100/10wheretheuploadcapacitychangesarenotcommensuratewiththedownloadincrease.
CCI/OtherFiberServiceMaineSchoolsandLibrariesNetwork(MSLN)providefiberservicetothefollowinglocationsinBlueHillthroughaconnectiontothefibernetworkCCI(previouslyFairpoint)wascontractedtoprovide.Theirserviceislimitedincapacity.
Libraries(Fiber)1. BlueHillPublicLibrary(BlueHill)2. EastBlueHillLibrary(EastBlueHill)
Schools(Fiber)1. GeorgeStevensAcademy(Village)2. ConsolidatedSchool(Village)3. HarborSchool(SouthSt.)4. BaySchool(SouthSt.)
Other(Fiber)1. BlueHillCellTower(BlueHillMountain)
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ItisnotknowifthereareanyBlueHillbusinessesconnectedtotheCCIprovidedBusinessFiberPlanmodel–theonlyoneofferedbyCCI.NonehavebeenidentifiedandonlytwoinBrooklinareknown(WoodenBoat&BrooklinBoatyard).Thereisoneknownhome-basedbusinessinSedgwickandoneinSurrywithcapacitieswellbelowthe100Mbps/10MbpsavailablethroughSpectrum.Pricingissignificantly(understatement)moreexpensivethanatraditionalCable,DSLorFiberplanaswell.Surry’sPremiumChoice-NewburyNeck–costswereassessed.
A“home”cantheoreticallybeconnectedtothebusinessserviceonlyifaqualifiedhomebusinessislocatedthereandthebusinessowneriswillingtopayforthefibertothehome(estimateof$5,000per1/4mile)andthebusinessmodelcapacitycostsforaminimumof10Mbps/10Mbpsatseveraltimes(~5x)thecostofasimilarplanfromSpectrum.Thatmodelforahomeownerandmanybusinessesisnoteconomicallyviableanduncompetitivewithotherpossiblesolutions.CharterSpectrumProvidedInformationwithCCIOverlay(notetheKey)(Notassumedtobecomplete,accurateortobeusedfortechnicaldecisions)
TheSpectrumreferencetocoveragethatcamewiththebaselinemap,is“Ournetworkpassesapproximately1,040homes/businessesintown.”Basedonanassessmentof2010Censusdata,therewere2,686people,1,279householdsand1,936housingunits.Theterm“passes”iscriticalintheassessmentofhowmuchofBlueHillmightbecoveredbySpectrum–orhowmuchofanoverstatementmightbemade.
Note(s):
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1.Thebaselinegraphicabove,withBLUEroadsmarked,wasprovidedbySpectrum.AnoverlayoftheBlueHillCCICOandRTswasaddedaswellastheBayannotation.TwoofthreeadjacenttownRTsandthenewREDRTinBlueHillwerealsoadded.TheRED“Empty”isanRTthathasnotbeenactivatedasofthereport’spublicationdate.2.Itisassumed–basedontypicalsignaldropfromtheCOorRTthatanyroadordistancefromanRTtoaresidencemustbebelow1Miletohavedownloadserviceatorcloseto25Mbps.CapacityoftheuploadcannotbeassumedfromanydataprovidedbyCCI.
a. Itisbelieved–butdifficulttofullydocument–thatonlyservicewithin1,000feetoftheCOorRThasanuploadcapacitythatmeetsthe25Mbps/3MbpsrequirementforBroadband.
b. Uploadof.5to1MbpsuploadcanbeusedforVOIPphoneservice.Uploadprovides-inpart-thecommunicationspathfromthehomeorbusiness.IfdeviceapplicationdownloadsoccuratthesametimeasVOIPuse,ortelevision,outgoingemailwithattachments,weathermaps,andothersystemusagethatusesbothdownloadandupload-outgoingcallscannotbeheardbythereceiver.
i. Theothersystemshavetobehaltedtousethephone….c. Servicelevelsof3Mbps/1Mbpsand10Mbps/1Mbpsareequivalent(thesame)for
thepurposeofVOIPuse.Addingdownloadcapacityisoflimiteduseandanupgradeexpenseoflimitedvaluefortheconsumerforthatspecificpurpose.
ii. ExampleCostsavingsofVOIP:1. CCIPhoneService/Month$55($660/yr.).VonagePhone
Service/Month$20($240/yr.).2. CostsavingsusingVonageVOIPis$420/yearovertraditionalphone
service.
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Note(s):1.ThegraphicaboveontheleftwasprovidedbyCCIandisbeingusedtoshowtheintersectionofHinckleyRidgeRoadandPleasantStreet–wheretheCCIRTislocated.RangeRoadistotherightandBlueHillisbelowthelowerrightcorner.GREENdepictssignalatorabove25Mbps.SymbolsareCCIprovidedlocationdata. a.NotethatthereisaREDmarkerinwiththeGREENmarkerssouthoftheRT.Thisiswhytheuseofthedataisproblematicforspecificlocationassessments.Thisproblemshowsupelsewhereaswell.2.ThegraphicontherightcamefromtheEasternMaineDevelopmentCorporationandTownofBlueHillCommunityTechnologyPlan,submittedOctober13,2017byAxiomandisbeingusedtoshowthesameintersectionwiththeRTannotatedbyaREDdot.ThecircularshapesdepictDSLsignaldirection.TheGreencircle(s)tothelowerrightistheDSLsignalfromtheCOinBlueHill.Smallyellowcirclesare911locationdata.
a.NotethattheupperleftshapeisnotchedandisnotthesameastheoneontheleftbasedontheGREENmarkers.Therightgraphicisincorrect.
b.Notethatwhenthecircleiscompletedontheright,ortheleftgraphicisused,thereisasmallsectionofPleasantStreetthathascoveragewithREDorBLUEmarkers.ThisdoesnotreflectthedatapresentedintheTechnologyPlan(thegraphicontheright)anddemonstratesthatcirclesarenotaccuratemethodsfordepictionofcapacitycoverage.
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GENERALOVERVIEW&OPTIONSRoadRanking
ThefollowingisanattemptatrankingmajorroadsinBlueHillforwiredInternetaccessusingthetwocurrentwiredprovidersforcomparison.Theroadsarerankedfrom1-7,with1beingforthebestand7theworstforaccess
FactorsinthegradingwereTypeofService,DuplicationofService,NumberofHouses,NumberofhouseswithNoService,NumberofHousesUnservedandNumberofHousesover150’fromtheroad.Numberswerenotspecificbutaneducatedassessmentbasedondrivingalloftheprimaryandsecondaryroads.
Someareas,likeWesternCountyRoad,hadnoserviceatall,buthadalowdensityanddidnotfactorheavilyintheassessment.Factoredinwiththeadjacentroads,itwouldhavefalleninmid-range.Assessedindependentlyiswouldhavebeen6or7th.It’sdensitybeingalargefactorinavalueof6.Someroadslistedwerevirtualties,butabreakoutwasmade.
TherankingdifferedfromtheoverallassessmentmadeintheTechnologyPlan,dueinparttoamorethoroughassessmentoftheaccuracyofinformationavailable.Growthofexistingservicesonroadswasalsoassessedandthoseoptionswerenotedpreviously.
AlsoincludedisashortlistofroadsinBlueHillwitheitherlimitedornowiredservice.Thisisnotinclusive.Thenotesattempttocallsomevariablessuchasthefactthatsomehomesmaybewithin3milesofanRTbuthavenoservice.AssumptionsaremadethatwiringandRTdesignmaybecontributingfactors.LackofservicewasconfirmedbyverbalsurveyaswellasassessmentofCCIprovidedgraphics.
OptionsThefollowinginformationservestoidentifyexistingprovidersandanassessmentoftheir
currentcapacityforexpansionofservices.Italsoservestoidentifynewtechnologyoptions(inbriefformonly)andisnotintendedtoidentifyalloptionsinthatregard.Itshouldbenotedthatthecapacitybasisforexpansionislimitedtothemostpracticalandcosteffective,whilealsoprovidingservicetoallresidents.
DSLislimitedintotalcapacitybyitstechnology(copperphonelines)andrequirementforRTslocatedinsufficientnumbertoachieveabasecapacity.10Mbps/1MbpswaschosenasrepresentativeofwhatthetownofBrooklinisplanning.Thisisashort-termsolutiontogetwiredInternettoall.DSLtechnologyisunabletomeetexistingcapacityrequirementsandespeciallythoserequirementsthatwillbedemandedinthefuture.Itaddsnomonetaryvaluetoahomefor
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resaleotherthanInternetaccess.TheUSDAdoesnotsupportitforexpansion.AhomewithDSLiseasiertosellthanonewithoutanywiredservice.
Cableislimitedincapacitybyitstechnology(dedicatedcopperlines)uniquetotheprovider.InthecaseofBlueHill,Maine–CharterSpectrum.It’shasamuchlongersignaldistancecapability,butuseissharedbetweenusers.Inruralcommunitiescapacityisnotgenerallyaffected.100Mbps/10MbpsisthetypicalmaximumformostusersandBroadbandat25Mbps/3Mbpsisavailable.Spectrum(Time-Warner-Cable)hasbeenexpandedwithstateandpossiblyproviderfunding,overalongperiodoftimeinBlueHill(estimatedover15+years)buthasleftmanyonservedroadsisolatedinthoseexpansionsandotherhavingexpendedover$30,000togettheservicetotheirresidence.Thisisalsoashort-termsolutiontogetwiredInternettoall.Isolationisconsideredandallroadsarebuiltouttothehome.Cabletechnologyisunabletomeetcapacityrequirementsthatwillbedemandedinthefuture.TheUSDAdoesnotsupportitforexpansion.ItaddsnomonetaryvaluetoahomeforresaleotherthanInternetaccess.Ahomewithcableiseasiertosellthanonewithoutanywiredservice.
OfspecificconcerntoanyexpansionofCharterSpectrumservicesisthecostandcomplexityofcontractnegotiationswithacompanythathashadsignificantissuesinthisandotherstates,mostnotablyinNewYork,andpresentsrisksthatshouldbeassessedatalllevels.Thoroughcontractevaluationsandthefollowingofrecommendationsmadebystateandservicegroups–withfulltransparency–isdesired,neededandmandated.ProcessadvicefromtheCableTelevisionAssociationofMaine(CATM)andtheMaineMunicipalAssociation(MMA),aswellasConnectMeisclear.Itisnotclearthatthoserecommendations/advicehavebeenfollowedinthepast.
TheStateofMaineistakingsomeadditionalactionyettobefullyapprovedbysettingastandarddistancefromaservedroadthataresidence/businessmustbeconnectedwithoutadditionalcharge.Todatethosedistancesvaryfromtowntotownandarenotconsistent.Itisnotknownifretroactivecorrectionscanorwillbemadetoexistinglocations.CharterSpectrum
CharterSpectrumowns/controlsthree(3)servicesprovidedintheirTriplePlaypackage(Internet,CableTVandVOIP)unlesssubscribersoptoutandchooseInternetorCableTVonlyservice.WithInternetonly,subscriberscanpurchase/usetheirownservices(withmany“free”optionsavailable)–suchasDirecTVNow,WatchTV,Hulu,AmazonPrime,Plutoandothers.TheycanalsoselecttheirownVOIPphoneservice.Basedonasurveyofprovidercosts(excludingahumansubscriber’spreferencesforcableTVserviceoptions),costsarelessthanthatprovidedbySpectrum.
BasedoncurrentcoverageofBlueHill,remainingroads/residencestobeserved,theruralgrowthpatternsforlargeprovidersandpastactionstoexpandservicewithFranchiseAgreements,BlueHillwillneverserveasignificantmajorityofitsresidentswithoutanexpenditureoftown,grantandprovidercapital–butwithexceptionsassumedbasedonroaddensityanddistancefromtheroads.Itisimpossibletoknow,withoutdoortodoorsurveyorSpectrumreleaseofsupportingdocumentation,justwhodoesandorcannotreceiveservicebasedoncurrentconnectionpractices.Asnotedpreviously,personalcapital($)hasbeenexpendedtoconnecttocableserviceandthattypeexpenditurecouldbebetterexpendedonothermorefinanciallyviableandtechnologicallysurvivableoptions.
1. SpectrumExpansiontotheHome:Costisestimatedbasedonmileageofallroadsnotcurrentlyserved,plusallprivateroadsanddistancestootherdwellings/businessesnotyetserved.Costpermileisbasedonastandardcostoftenusedintheindustrybutroadconditionsandotherfactorscanvary(increase)thatnumber.Basedonanestimateofunservedroads:unservedroadmileagex$20,000=$X,XXX,000.
(Estimate70mi.x$20,000=$1,400,000.)
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TOTALEstimate=$1,400,000tocurrent100Mbps/10Mbps(lessifdesired)Spectrum’sannualcost(s)totheconsumerwillincreaseovertimewithacapacitylimitbecauseofthemediumused(copper)andnocompetitionforservice.Costtoimplementdoesnotreducecostsovertime.RealisticlongevityofCableTVtechnologyviabilitycanbemeasuredinyears.ThevalueaboveisbasedonbasicCATVcablecosts.Otherinfrastructureupgradesneededarenotspecificallyknown.Note:Asreferencedearlier,completeexpansionofcableservicebySpectrumhashadsignificantissuesandtheStateofNewYorkhassuccessfullywonsuitagainstCharterinonematterandisworkingtoforceCharteroutofNewYorkforanother.ConsolidatedCommunicationsInc.(CCI) AnassumptionwasmadeintheTechnologyPlanthatCCIhadbuiltoutitscapacityinBlueHill-withnoroomforgrowth.ThecurrenteffortsinBrooklin,MaineandCCI’sCAFIIfundingreceivedfromtheUSDAandimplementedinBrooklinspecifically,demonstratethatCCI’sDSLcapacitycanbeexpanded. CCIDSLexpansionoffersanopportunitytoreachallBlueHillresidentsandbusinesseswithabaselinecapacity–Brooklinhasidentified10Mbps/1Mbpstoallasanexample,andisarealisticbaselinegivensignaldropandbondedserviceconsiderations.Asnotedpreviously,servicelevelsof3Mbps/1Mbpsand10Mbps/1MbpsareequivalentforthepurposeofVOIPuse.
Toachievethe10Mbps/1MbpscapacityinBlueHill,thefollowingwouldneedtooccur.1. Fiber:Addsufficientfibercabletoallmainroadsnotcurrentlyservedwithfiber-toenable
theadditionofnewRTlocationswhereneeded.FiberisonlyneededtoserveRTs.Nootherisneedednordesiredforthispurpose.CostisestimatedbasedonroadmileageneededandRTlocationadditionsnecessarytoachieve10Mbps/1Mbps.BasedonanestimateofunservedroadsforRTsupport:roadmileagex$20,000=$XXX,000.
(Estimate8mi.x$20,000=$160,000.)2. MaximizationandOptimizationofCOandRTs:UpgradeexistingRTs(orreplace)and
theCOasnecessarytoachieveaminimumcapacityatthedistancefurthestservedbythatlocation.SpecificcostforeachRTupgradeorreplacementisnotknown.CCIwouldhavetheinsightandtechnicalunderstandingtounderstandthetechnicalupgradelimitsofexistingRTs(someofwhichwouldneedreplacement).#RT’s(3)/CO(1)forupgradexupgradecostforeach=$XXX,000.
(Estimate4x$30,000=$120,000)**EstimateOnlybasedonassessedageofunits
ThisassumestheMinesRoadRT-notyetoperational-meetstheupgraderequirement.BrooklinhashadRTupgrades/newRTsinstalledaspartoftheirCAFIIfundingthroughCCI.Additionalupgradesandadditionsarestillneeded.BrooklintodayhasmoreRTswithbettercapacitythanBlueHill.
3. NewRTs:AdditionalRTswouldbeneededtoreachthoselocationsunabletoreceivethatminimumservicelevelbasedonimprovementstotheexistingCOandRT’sin#2.above.
a. ThefollowingareroadsandnumbersofnewRT’sneededoneach.i. EastBlueHillRd. (1) ii. EllsworthRd. (2) iii. PleasantSt.(orRange) (1) iv. HinckleyRidgeRd. (2) v. FallsBridgeRoad (1)
Total=7#NewRT’s(7)xnewUnitCostforeach($XX,000)=$XXX,000.
(Estimate7RTsx$50,000=$350,000)
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TOTALEstimate=$630,000to10Mbps/1MbpsNote:Thecostsnotedarebasedonvaluesgarneredfromconversationswithvendorsandknowngeneralvaluesfortheexpansionoffibercableonutilitypoles.Costscanbehigher!Othercostsmaybeincurredandvaluesnotedareintendedonlyas“ballpark”estimatestosupportgeneralcomparisons.
CCI’sannualcost(s)totheconsumerwillincreaseovertime,withacapacitylimitbecauseofthemediumused(copper)andnocompetitionforservice.Costtoimplementdoesnotreducecostsovertime.RealisticlongevityofDSLtechnologyviabilitycanbemeasuredinyears.TherealityisthatDSLisnotviableevenfortoday’sneeds,especiallyinruralareasduetodistanceandsignaldropissues.
ThevaluenotedaboveisbasedonbasiccostsandmoredetailedinfrastructureupgradesneededisnotknownandshouldbediscussedindetailwithCCI.Poleattachmentfeesandannualcostsarenotspecificallyfactoredintothisestimate.Fiber-OpticsTheoptionsforfiberaremorenumerousthantheDSLandCable,sinceCCIandSpectrumhaveessentiallycapturedthosespecificmarkets.Bothmarketshavewidelyacceptedlimitationsandthelackoffuturepotential.Whilecostisakeyfactorinmanyexpansion/newserviceconsiderations,thefutureviabilityoftheservicetargetedisasimportant.ThatfactiswhytheUSDA,ConnectMeandothergovernmentagencieshaveestablishedkeybaselinesforservice–oneofwhichallbutexcludesDSLasanoptionforfunding.Thatbaselineisserviceof25Mbps/3Mbpsorbetter,whichwillchange.Whenitwillisunknownandthenewbaselinecannotbeestimatedwithanydegreeofcertainty.
Thelargerserviceprovidersdonotwantchangeasitaffectstheyabilitytoeffectivelymarkettheirproducts–DSLandCablespecificallyforwiredservice.Spectrum’sannualcost(s)totheconsumerwillincreaseovertimewithacapacitylimitbecauseofthemediumused(copper)andnocompetitionforservice.Costtoimplementdoesnotreducecostsovertime.Realisticlongevityofcabletechnologyviabilitycanbemeasuredinyears.RealisticlongevityofDSLtechnologyviabilitycanbemeasuredinyears,butwithamuchgreaterconcernforit’sinabilitytomeetBroadbandrequirements,especiallyinruralAmerica.Broadbandof100Mbps/100Mbpsorhigherinafewyearsisnotunrealistic.
Theonemediumnotaffectedbyanynewbaselineisfiber-optics.Thebenefitsoffiberinclude–inpart:
1. Unlimitedcapacitypotential2. Reliabilityandlongevity3. Possiblecostsavingsthroughlocalizedownership(theprofitcostelementisremoved)4. Possiblefuturegrowthtosupport5G5. CompetitiveISPformat6. Homeresalevalueoverotheroptions–nationallyestimatedat3%7. Valuetocurrentandfutureresidents/generationsFiberToTheHome(FTTH)isarealityinsomeMainecommunitiestoday–Unityisone
example.Factorstoimplementation(suchasdesign),costofimplementationanddemandaggregation,areallelementsthatcanandshouldbediscussedasanimportantelementofBlueHill’sfuture.
ItisnotedthatCCIprovidedfibertothebusinessisnotconsideredviable,norisitamodelforfibertothehomeduetotheirTierservice,whichdrivescostwellaboveanyotherproviderandtheirbusinessmodeldoesnotsupportit.Ofnote,whenfiberwasplacedontheutilitypolestosupporttheadditionofRTsandconnectionstotheMaineSchoolsandLibrariesNetwork(MSLN),
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noservicedropswereprovidedfor,whichmakesanyexpansionofservicethatmuchmorecomplex–inpart.
BlueHillBroadbandPointofContact:ButlerSmythe:37PembertonLane,BlueHill,Maine04614Phone:374-3838Email:[email protected]
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APPENDIXASourcesofGrantFundingforBroadbandrelatedefforts(notinclusive)
1. IslandInstitute2. MaineCommunityFoundation(MCF)3. ConnectMaineAuthority(ConnectME)4. UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)
GroupsandOrganizations(notinclusive)
1. ConnectMaineAuthority(ConnectME)2. MaineBroadbandCoalition(GoogleGroup-State)3. MaineStateChamberofCommerce4. CableTelevisionAssociationofMaine(CTAM)5. MaineMunicipalAssociation(MMA)6. PeninsulaUtilityforBroadband(PUB)7. CentralMaineMediaAlliance(CMMA)8. OfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral-ChiefConsumerProtectionDivision(Augusta)
Note:PointsofContact,websitesandspecificsofthegroupsnotedabovecanbefoundonline.
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APPENDIXBTheCableTelevisionAssociationofMaine&TheMaineMunicipalAssociationFranchiseRenewalProcessAdvice10-1-18
First,andthisisimportant,theTownAttorneyshouldbeinvolvedinsigningoffonanydocumentationthatpassesbetweenthetownandthecableoperator.ThetownmayhireaconsultanttoguidetheprocessbutfinaldocumentsshouldhaveapprovalfromtheTownAttorney.
Next,thetownshouldassembleasmallcableadvisorycommitteeconsistingofatleastonerepresentativefromthetown,theschools,thenon-profits(librariesandotherswhomaywantPSA'saired)andofcoursethepublic.
TheTownalsoneedstorealizewhataFranchisecanandcannotdo.AquicklookattheMaineModelFranchiseascomparedtooneprovidedbythecableoperatorwilltellthestory.
TheTownwillneedtoconsiderwhatisimportant(i.e.PEGornot)andbecomeeducatedaboutwhatispossible,i.e."OpenGovernance"withtelevisedmunicipalandschoolboardmeetings.
IftheTowndoesn'thaveanOrdinance,oriftheyhaveanoldone,theymaywanttoupdateitoradoptanewonebeforebeginningtherenewalprocess.It’sgoodprotectionforthetown.
Next,theTownwillneedtomakesuretheyhaveidentifiedanynon-complianceissueswiththeoldfranchisebeforebeginningwithanewone.Ifthereareunresolvedissues,theycouldbeusedasbargainingchipsatnegotiations,soitisimportanttoidentifytheminadvance.
Next,theTownwillneedtosendthecableoperatortheCommencementofProceedingsletterwhichoutlinestheinformationneededtostarttheAscertainment(needsassessment)process.
OncetheTownreceivestherequestedinformationfromthecableoperator,theybegintheAscertainmentProcess,whichmayincludeacommunitywidesurvey,whichisusuallydonewithSurveyMonkeyorGoogle.Questionsaddresstheneedsofthecommunityregardingthelocalchannels,andalsotheservicehistoryofthecableoperator.
Fromthat,theTowndevelopsaVisionPlanwhichoutlinesthecostoftheequipmentyouwillneedtomeettheneedsofthecommunityasidentifiedintheA/R.
OnlybyhavingallthesedocumentsinplacecantheTownjustifythecapitalgrantrequirementthattheywillbeputtingintheFranchiseRFP.(RequestforProposal)ThisistheTown’sFranchiseRenewaldocumentthattheyhavetomeetornegotiateotherwise.Onlyamunicipalitycandetermineitsneeds(withinareasonablecost)see:
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-6th-circuit/1230167.htmlThecableoperatorwilltrytodropthepersubscribercostofmeetingthoseneedsaslowas
theycan.Todeterminethepersubscriberamountdividethetotalcapitalgrantbythenumberofmonthsinthenewagreement,thendividethatnumberbythenumberofsubscribers..20to.30centspersubpermonthwouldbereasonableinruralMaine.Largercitiescanrequiremuchmorebecausetherearemoresubs.
Regardingthe“PassThrough”ofFranchiseFees,ifyoureadthe1997courtdescriptionofFranchiseFeeshttps://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-5th-circuit/1297394.html-theyarearentalfee,acostofdoingbusinessforthecableoperatorand"thecableoperatorisnotactingasacollectionagentforthetown".However,thecableindustrylobbiedforandgotarulingpassedin2003thattheyareallowedto"passthrough"anyfeesthatthetownimposes.Cableoperatorsarenotrequiredtopassthroughtheir"costofdoingbusiness"expensesbuttheydo,knowingitwillmakethebottomlinehigherifatownchoosestocollectthefee.
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IfCharterisunresponsivetoyourrequests,sendacomplainttoLindaContiattheAG’s
office.LindaJ.ContiAssistantAttorneyGeneralChiefConsumerProtectionDivisionOfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralBurtonCrossBuildingSHS#6Augusta,ME04333207-626-8591
Thedocumentsreferredtoaboveweredevelopedoverthelast30yearsworkingwith70+Mainetowns,MMA,ConnectMeandofcoursethecableoperatorsandconsultantswhodothisworknationwide.TheywillbepostedontheCTAMwebpagehttp://ctamaine.org/Resources/Franchise-Renewalasanaid,andwhiletherearemanyothersideissuesandotherdocumentstodealwiththat,thesewillservetoguideyouonyourway.Goodluckandletusknowifyouhaveanymorequestions.TonyVigueP.O.Box258Standish,ME04084(207)642-5055(h)(207-329-6243(m)[email protected]@gmail.comMikeEdgecombBusinessDevelopmentManagerSewall136CenterStreetPOBox433OldTown,ME04468207-817-5530www.sewall.com“Twinkle”MarieManningCentralMaineMediaAlliance(CMMA)270MainStreet•[email protected](207)778-8146(760)889-5428(cell)www.CMMA.me
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APPENDIXCAssessmentofEasternMaineDevelopmentCorporationandTownofBlueHillCommunityTechnologyPlan,ofOctober13,2017.ProvidedpreviouslytotheTownofBlueHillSelectmenviaseparatecorrespondence..
ThefollowingisabriefassessmentrelatedtotheEasternMaineDevelopmentCorporationandTownofBlueHillCommunityTechnologyPlan,ofOctober13,2017byAxiom.Fundingforthe“Plan”camefromoutsidesources–notfromthetown.ABroadbandCommitteeisreferencedbutnoactionsweretakenbythecommitteetohelpimproveinputs,notallparticipatedandthereportwasnotseenbythecommittee–itwasdisbandedbeforethereportwasprovidedtothetown.Summary
1. NoBroadbandcapacityneedorbasisforanassessmentwasmadeorimplied.2. Neither“under“nor“poorly”termsweredefined.3. Poorinputwasreceivedfromresidents(107)ifitwasdistributedtoall.4. Over10%ofhomesinBHhavenowiredinternet,whenthe“Plan”saysboth90%&95%
haveit(both%wereused).Nobasisfordataisgivenanditisbasedoninaccurateassumptions.
5. AssumptionsmadeonCCIandSpectrumcapabilities–andinputsfromvendors–withoutvalidation.E.g.CCIinformationcountersassumptionsaboutdirectionsofservice–specificallyonPleasantStreet.“Upgrades”fromCCIhavenotchangedoverallservicecapacities.
6. 911datadepictedmisseshomesknowntoexist–OffPleasantSt,EastBlueHillRoad,EllsworthRoadandothers.Thismaybeanindicationofalargerproblem.
7. StatementismadethatCCIisbuiltoutinmostareasisinaccurate,especiallywhenpoorornoserviceexistsforasignificantpartofthepopulation.CAFIIfundingplannedinstallations/informationisnotpresentednorvalidatedafterinformationwaspresentedduringonemeeting–sinceprovenincorrect.NorecommendationsforCCIimprovementsisproblematic.CCIistheonlyserviceinBlueHillthatcanmoreeasilyandcosteffectivelygettoallhomes.Thecolorscaleanddepictionsisinaccurate–especiallyusingcirclesforcoverage.TheRedcircleactuallycouldbeannotatedaszeroto<3vs.“upto10Mbps”-ifshownatall.
8. AsMMAandCTAMwarnsintheirdocumentsrelativetoFranchiseAgreementswithCharterSpectrum,theyneedtochallenged.Thatwasnotclearinthe“Plan.”
9. TherewasnorecommendationfortheEBHRoaddespitethefactover20homeshavenowiredinternetserviceatallandothersarewellbelow3Mbps/1Mbps.
10. TheassessmentofthenumberofhousesoneachroadthatcouldbeservedbySpectrummaynotbeaccurateandwasnotvalidated.Thosebypassedisanequallyimportantnumber.
11. TheMinesRoadCCIRTwasnotincluded.12. Arecommendationwasmadetowork“closely”withSpectrum-?.13. ThereferencestoModelmisseskeyCTAMandMMAreferences…14. Businessinterviews?DigitalInclusion…Axiomclaimstohavecontacted68businesseswith
30responses.Thereareover250businesses–200+“storefront”and50-100othersforover300(includinghomebased).
15. TownofBlueHillBroadbandTeamwasnoted.Whatwastheirinvolvement,etc.Howweretheyselectedandtheirtermofservice.
16. 91%ofhomeshaveInternetfromsurveyprovided…-wasthisthebasisfor90/95?
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17. Technologyfund–ThiswasfocusedonaFundthatdoesnotexisttodayandisSpectrumspecific.Itcanbecreatedwithtownfundsaswell.
18. Axiomfollow-upisimplied?Wasthereany?No.“AxiomwillworkwiththeTownofBlueHilltopursuefundingfordigitalliteracyclassesforresidentsandbusinesses.”
19. Grantfundingresourcesisnotcomplete…anddatanumbersarenotaccurate(old).
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