public policy

Clock ticking down on California broadband policy initiatives

11 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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High noon is nearer than it seems.

Of all the ancient traditions and lofty values of the California legislature, few have the moral imperative of the three day weekend. Although this Friday is a work day – the end of session deadline – on the official calendar, leaders in both the California senate and assembly want to wrap up business by tomorrow evening.

So today is critical to efforts to top up the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF), and sorta expand eligibility for broadband infrastructure construction subsidies to independent Internet service providers and cities.… More

CASF criticised for lack of budget transparency

9 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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DRA makes a graphic point.

The only formal objection to next year’s draft budget for California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) prepared by California Public Utilities Commission staff has come from, well, CPUC staff. The division of ratepayer advocates, which functions as an in-house watchdog or gadfly, depending on your point of view, is recommending that the commission reject the request in its present form.

DRA doesn’t particularly object to the budget numbers, rather it wants more justification…

As in previous comments to the Commission on the issue of the CASF, DRA continues to support greater transparency in the CASF budgeting and expenditure process.

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Santa Cruz County considers sweeping new broadband deployment policies


Streamlining tech, Santa Cruz style.

What would be one of California’s most comprehensive broadband infrastructure development policies goes before the Santa Cruz County board of supervisors on Tuesday. A report prepared by county staff recommends taking several steps to clear the way for immediate construction of broadband facilities and lay a foundation for long term infrastructure planning and deployment…

  1. Finalize conduit specifications in collaboration with Public Works and broadband providers.
  2. Work with County Counsel and Public Works to establish master lease agreements that allow the installation of broadband infrastructure on utility poles, light standards and County assets.
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California broadband interests walk hand in hand in Sacramento

7 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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Together forever.

Two broadband subsidy bills have been wrapped together in the California legislature, and appear to be on track for approval this coming week. Senate bill 740, which adds $90 million to the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) and expands eligibility a bit, and assembly bill 1299, which gives $25 million of that money to public housing projects, now contain mirror language that make them all but inseparable.

It’s possible that the extra money could be approved even if the public housing piece is shot down, but the political horse trading that got the bills to this point make it unlikely.… More

CPUC approves $10 million and maybe a bit more for Digital 395

5 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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Flakes raise costs

Digital 395 got $9.9 million from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) this morning. As expected, commissioners approved the additional money, as a grant from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF). Full details are in the final draft of the resolution.

Another $938,000 is on hold, pending environmental reviews and subsequent approval, or not, by the commission.

The money will cover the net cost overruns generated by the project. Originally budgeted at $101 million, 80% of the cost was to be covered by a grant from the 2009 federal broadband stimulus program.… More

CPUC plans to approve extra $10 million for Digital 395 without discussion

4 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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Digital 395 gets the fast track and cash.

A last minute change to tomorrow’s California Public Utilities Commission agenda put a request for an extra $10 million for the Digital 395 project on the meeting’s consent calendar. Assuming no commissioner asks otherwise, that means the money will be approved without questions, debate or public comment.

A new draft resolution was also circulated a few days ago, identifying a single, unified Digital 395 fiber backbone network, stretching from Reno to Barstow down the eastern edge of California, as the commission’s top goal.… More

Three California broadband projects head to a CPUC vote

3 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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Three projects proposed for grants from the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) have made it through the review process and are scheduled to be voted on by the California Public Utilities Commission next month. Two of the grant proposals were VDSL2-based and submitted by TDS Telecom, one for $1.8 million in the Olinda area of Shasta County and the other for $2.1 million in the Winterhaven area of Imperial County. Sebastian, which took over the Foresthill Telephone Company, is asking for $117,000 for a fixed wireless system upgrade in Placer County.… More

Map spam paints false picture of U.S. broadband service

2 September 2013 by Steve Blum
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The national broadband map has been updated and it now includes coverage claims submitted by service providers as of the end of 2012. The map is supposed to a guide for federal and state policy makers as they try to manage, regulate, subsidise and, overall, encourage the development of broadband infrastructure and service. But unless you dig deep into the raw numbers and ignore the consumer (and politician) friendly interface, all it does is prove, once again, that garbage in, garbage out is a universal law.… More

The California assembly will vote on funding broadband infrastructure

30 August 2013 by Steve Blum
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Legislative leadership lines up behind broadband.

Californian broadband subsidies are back on track and heading, it seems to a vote by the full assembly. Big thanks to Elizabeth Munguia in senator Alex Padilla’s office for the news that the assembly leadership released senate bill 740 from the appropriations committee’s suspense file, which puts it in play for the final, hectic two weeks of the legislature’s current session.

SB 740 would add $90 million to the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) and make it possible – although maybe not practical – for independent Internet service providers and cities to apply for grants and loans to build out broadband infrastructure.… More

Second round of funding coming for California broadband consortia

28 August 2013 by Steve Blum
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Filling in the white spaces.

Most of the $225 million that’s being nicked off of California telephone bills and put into the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) goes toward building broadband infrastructure in areas that can’t get Internet service that meets the state’s minimum 6 Mbps download and 1.5 Mbps upload standard. But $10 million has been set aside to pay for regional broadband consortia, which are groups that are made up of public and private sector organisations, usually representing several counties.… More