[1st-mile-nm] URGENT: Satellite Internet v. Cable/Fiber Internet: costs and benefits?

Tue Dec 28 09:25:47 PST 2021

SPAM

From: 1st-mile-nm <1st-mile-nm-bounces at mailman.dcn.org> On Behalf Of Robert Jacobson
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2021 9:46 AM
To: 1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] URGENT: Satellite Internet v. Cable/Fiber Internet: costs and benefits?

Dear 1st Mile Friends,

                I'm preparing an application for a state broadband grant and need your input to knowledgeably ask for funding for what purposes.  Here's why...

                Our household experience with SpaceX's StarLink broadband service has been great (250-300Mbps down, 25Mbps up), no weather interference, etc.  The modem supplied with the two-foot self-aiming antenna is powerful enough that my neighbor's visitors 20 yards away can camp on it. (We're friends.)

                Every device in our home, now connected to the StarLink modem, is running at max speed. Total cost so far has been ~$495 for the gear, one hour for easy installation (my own labor), and ~$90 per month for access to the satellites.  (We haven't gotten our first monthly invoice.)

                We do pay extra for some online fare, but not to SpaceX.  It goes directly to Apple, Showtime, Netflix, various Patreon podcasts, etc.

                Providers of "conventional" broadband modalities - cable and fiber -must string cable/fiber overhead and/or bury it in conduits and trenches; and must build local networks to distribute data to offices and households. Providers may require their homeowner, office, ranch, etc. customers to own additional gear.

                Also, they may have fees to pay for channels they resell to customers, links from fiber to cable, their own tower or satellite expenses, etc.  They pass along most of these expenses to their local-government and household/office subscribers.

                Each modality must provide quality service to its customers and generate earnings for its owners.

                My questions to my 1st-Mile colleagues:

                1. In your experience, what are comparable numbers for satellite internet vs conventional cable and/or fiber to the home in a rural setting with about 450 households concentrated on one mile of highway (that is supposed one day to be wired with fiber per state dictates) and another 100 on the perimeter.

                If you were writing a grant for this purpose, on which modality would you rely?  Special conditions?

                Thanks for your rapid reply. We have to file our application January 31st, latest!

Bob Jacobson
Atelier Tomorrow Inc.
A Nonprofit Consultancy
Patagonia, AZ 85624
(520) 370-1259
LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/in/bobjacobson<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flinkedin.com%2Fin%2Fbobjacobson&data=04%7C01%7Cjbadal%40sacredwindnm.com%7C842f437104264359a4dd08d9ca21b358%7C1458a946b06346cbbe2752dbe35fba15%7C0%7C0%7C637763068393529934%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C2000&sdata=kBsmPlybQV0zdJrDGPRzmS3Wzx8fuHg1ywhSlhT4a3g%3D&reserved=0>

On 15Nov2021, at 5:47 PM, 1st-mile-nm-request at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm-request at mailman.dcn.org> wrote:

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Today's Topics:

  1. FCC Telehealth Funding in NM (Richard Lowenberg)
  2. USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants: NM
     (Richard Lowenberg)
  3. Comcast brings 1.2 Gbps fiber internet to Gallup, NM
     (Richard Lowenberg)
  4. Vexus Fiber readies FTTP plus 10G for Albuquerque
     (Richard Lowenberg)
  5. Federal Broadband Funding: Overviews (Richard Lowenberg)
  6. Re: Federal Broadband Funding: Overviews (Owen Densmore)
  7. Fwd: NM DOIT/CTC WEBINAR INVITE: Overview - USDA Reconnect
     Loan and Grant Program (Richard Lowenberg)

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Message: 1
Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2021 14:32:38 -0600
From: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
To: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] FCC Telehealth Funding in NM
Message-ID: <7683940b09984d38cfde46fd96c33ede at 1st-mile.org<mailto:7683940b09984d38cfde46fd96c33ede at 1st-mile.org>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

FCC ANNOUNCES AN ADDITIONAL $40.46 MILLION AWARDED
AS PART OF COVID-19 TELEHEALTH PROGRAM

WASHINGTON, October 21, 2021?The Federal Communications Commission today
approved an additional 71 applications for funding commitments totaling
$40,468,845 for
Round 2 of its COVID-19 Telehealth Program. This is the FCC?s third
funding announcement
of approved Round 2 applications bringing the total to approximately
$123.6 million awarded to health care providers in each state,
territory, and the District of Columbia.
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-third-set-awards-covid-19-telehealth-round-2-0

Funded in NM:

First Nations Community HealthSource in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a
Federally
Qualified Health Center that serves Tribal and Hispanic communities, was
awarded
$655,395 for laptops and connected devices that support remote patient
monitoring,
which will help ensure proper treatment of patients in their homes
without requiring inperson visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
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Message: 2
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 2021 12:47:49 -0600
From: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
To: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants:
                NM
Message-ID: <54ab3bfc9d81ba0fb16599b78a5364bc at 1st-mile.org<mailto:54ab3bfc9d81ba0fb16599b78a5364bc at 1st-mile.org>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed

The USDA has announced its latest Distance Learning and
Telemedicine Grants, with one award in NM.

Ben Archer Health Center, Inc.    $90,372

This Rural Development investment will be used to assist the
Health Education and Access to Learning (HEAL) Project.
The HEAL Project will deliver distance learning to rural and
exceptionally rural individuals in Northern Dona Ana, Sierra,
Otero and Luna Counties, New Mexico. The HEAL Project will
affect an estimate 97,000 people directly or indirectly in
southern New Mexico.

https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2021/10/22/usda-make-115-billion-available-help-people-living-rural

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
---------------------------------------------------------------

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Message: 3
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 2021 11:03:14 -0600
From: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
To: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Comcast brings 1.2 Gbps fiber internet to
                Gallup, NM
Message-ID: <ab3c62d0dea5cdad762b5c01a5fb7038 at 1st-mile.org<mailto:ab3c62d0dea5cdad762b5c01a5fb7038 at 1st-mile.org>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Comcast brings 1.2 Gbps fiber internet to Gallup, NM

Oct. 28, 2021

https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/fiber/article/14213037/comcast-brings-12gbps-fiber-internet-to-gallup-nm

Currently, more than 9,000 homes and businesses have access to Comcast?s
network in Gallup, New Mexico.

In New Mexico, Comcast this month announced the company has introduced
additional Internet speed tiers for homes and small businesses in the
Gallup area, with internet speeds up to 1.2 Gbps now available to new
and existing customers.

Currently, more than 9,000 homes and businesses have access to Comcast?s
network in Gallup. Consumers have access to all of the company's Xfinity
Internet packages including 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 300 Mbps, 600 Mbps, 900
Mbps, and 1.2 Gig speed tiers. From supporting four connected devices at
a time, to speeds designed for heavy streamers, Gallup residents have a
variety of Comcast options to keep them connected.

Bill Lee, CEO, Gallup-McKinley County Chamber of Commerce, commented,
?Fast and reliable broadband is a key component of a vibrant economy. As
Gallup businesses continue to recover from the impacts of the pandemic,
it is good to see Comcast?s investment in our community to help ensure
that new and existing businesses will have the bandwidth needed to
succeed in the digital economy. With Internet speeds ranging from 50
Mbps to 1.2 Gigabits, Gallup can continue to recruit more industry
sectors into our community, and help existing businesses grow.?

Additionally, Comcast announced it will continue to offer its low-cost,
high-speed Internet program, Internet Essentials, to help provide more
low-income households in Gallup with the tools and resources they need
to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The program provides 50
Mbps at-home internet access to low-income households for $9.95 per
month. Households that qualify for programs like the National School
Lunch Program, housing assistance, Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, and others may
qualify for Internet Essentials.

Since the program launched in 2011, Comcast says it has connected
296,000 low-income New Mexicans to the power of the Internet at home,
including 2,800 individuals in Gallup.

Sarah Piano, Managing Regional Director for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Mountain Region, asserted, ?When Comcast operates in your community, you
can count on them to provide support to local nonprofits and community
organizations. Comcast is a long-standing partner and an amazing
supporter of our critical mentoring work in Gallup and across New
Mexico. Their Internet Essentials program is extremely affordable and
helped us connect dozens of our families to an at-home Internet
connection, which was critical this past year more than ever. Comcast
genuinely cares about the communities they work in and continually
strives to make things better for the families within those communities.
We are so grateful for their partnership.?

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
---------------------------------------------------------------

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Message: 4
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 2021 11:07:23 -0600
From: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
To: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Vexus Fiber readies FTTP plus 10G for
                Albuquerque
Message-ID: <0114b6cb6971ea70e4960e39bd20346d at 1st-mile.org<mailto:0114b6cb6971ea70e4960e39bd20346d at 1st-mile.org>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Vexus Fiber readies FTTP plus 10G for Albuquerque

Nov. 1, 2021
https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/fiber/article/14213181/vexus-fiber-readies-fttp-plus-10g-for-albuquerque

Company plans $250 million investment for its latest 100% fiber
broadband project.

Vexus Fiber announced on Oct. 28 that it will be bringing its 100%
fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network to the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The company said it will invest $250 million in the infrastructure of
the network and create 200 jobs in the construction phase over the next
three years.

Vexus added that it will be building a 10 gigabit network, "so that as
devices get faster in the future, customers will have an internet option
that can keep up." Broadband packages with symmetrical upload and
download speeds up to one gigabit will be initially available to
customers. The network will be available for both homes and businesses
and will be 100% fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP), "meaning fewer
connectivity issues for customers," added a Vexus statement.

Vexus Fiber said it plans to begin engineering for the project
immediately and start construction early next year. Completion of the
network is expected by 2024, but the network will be activated in
stages, so that some areas of the city will see service available
beginning in 2022.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller commented, ?In the past year, it has become
clear that internet is not just a quality-of-life issue, but a fast,
reliable connection for every family and business is necessary for
learning and working too. High-speed fiber represents a major investment
in our infrastructure, creating hundreds of jobs for Albuquerque and
providing us with another key asset as we recruit more companies to our
city. This investment in a ubiquitous fiber network is also necessary to
make sure that no one is left behind in the quest for universal
affordable access to high-speed broadband services (that is, to ?bridge
the digital divide?). We welcome Vexus along with other fiber developers
who are interested in investing in ABQ and appreciate their confidence
in this great City.?

In addition to the 200 construction jobs the project will create, the
company plans to create 150 permanent jobs with the opening of a local
office and storefront.

?We are excited to announce the expansion of fiber high-speed broadband
into Albuquerque,? said Jim Gleason, CEO of Vexus Fiber. ?We are
thrilled to become a part of the City of Albuquerque and see the area as
a terrific place for business. This network of the future will help
foster additional growth and economic development for the area.?

Vexus has committed to building its fiber network throughout the entire
city and says it will provide service to all corners of Albuquerque. To
date, the company notes has installed successful high-speed fiber
networks in over 35 cities in Texas and Louisiana.

?This is a real win for the residents of our city,? said Dan Serrano,
CEO of the city's Westside Chamber of Commerce. ?Vexus is bringing
construction and permanent jobs with its expansion to Albuquerque as
well as faster connectivity for residents.?

Vexus notes "the cost of the new service will be comparable to the other
services provided in the city today, but with better performance." The
first phase of the network could be available to Albuquerque residents
by summer 2022, according to company representatives.

Learn more at www.connect.vexusfiber.com<http://www.connect.vexusfiber.com>

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
---------------------------------------------------------------

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Message: 5
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2021 12:42:38 -0700
From: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
To: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Federal Broadband Funding: Overviews
Message-ID: <751ebe36257b955814b81a8861608f57 at 1st-mile.org<mailto:751ebe36257b955814b81a8861608f57 at 1st-mile.org>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

Here are two postings that provide excellent information on the just
Congressionally passed Federal Broadband Funding Programs.

>From the Benton Institute:
https://www.benton.org/blog/largest-us-investment-broadband-deployment-ever

CCG?s POTs and PANs blog:
https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2021/11/08/the-broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-program/

RL

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
---------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 2021 16:01:31 -0700
From: Owen Densmore <owen at backspaces.net<mailto:owen at backspaces.net>>
To: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
Cc: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: Re: [1st-mile-nm] Federal Broadband Funding: Overviews
Message-ID:
                <CAN_LYRkzH0TytjCOeV=gV+x8sknAsppNEnReFP8QtxxJ3NnGHA at mail.gmail.com<mailto:CAN_LYRkzH0TytjCOeV=gV+x8sknAsppNEnReFP8QtxxJ3NnGHA at mail.gmail.com>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

Interesting! How will this impact NM? Hopefully we'll finally have
affordable, high speed, multiple provider internet for everyone.

   -- Owen

On Mon, Nov 8, 2021 at 12:42 PM Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>> wrote:

Here are two postings that provide excellent information on the just
Congressionally passed Federal Broadband Funding Programs.

>From the Benton Institute:
https://www.benton.org/blog/largest-us-investment-broadband-deployment-ever

CCG?s POTs and PANs blog:

https://potsandpansbyccg.com/2021/11/08/the-broadband-equity-access-and-deployment-program/

RL

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
---------------------------------------------------------------
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Message: 7
Date: Mon, 15 Nov 2021 17:47:39 -0700
From: Richard Lowenberg <rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>>
To: 1st-mile Nm <1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org<mailto:1st-mile-nm at mailman.dcn.org>>
Subject: [1st-mile-nm] Fwd: NM DOIT/CTC WEBINAR INVITE: Overview -
                USDA Reconnect Loan and Grant Program
Message-ID: <1acaa205a1ea1ccd294e3583f396b45f at 1st-mile.org<mailto:1acaa205a1ea1ccd294e3583f396b45f at 1st-mile.org>>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; Format="flowed"

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: NM DOIT/CTC WEBINAR INVITE: Overview - USDA Reconnect Loan and
Grant Program
Date: 2021-11-15 17:28
From: "Clarke, George, DoIT" <george.clarke at state.nm.us<mailto:george.clarke at state.nm.us>>
Cc: "Tilton, Rand, DoIT" <Rand.Tilton at state.nm.us<mailto:Rand.Tilton at state.nm.us>>, "Karen White
(kwhite at ctcnet.us<mailto:kwhite at ctcnet.us>)" <kwhite at ctcnet.us<mailto:kwhite at ctcnet.us>>

ReConnect Loan and Grant Program Workshop

The _New Mexico Department of Information Technology_ (NM DoIT) has
partnered with _CTC Technology & Energy_ to host a workshop on the
USDA's Broadband ReConnect program.

This informational workshop will provide detail regarding opportunities
associated with the USDA ReConnect Program. This program furnishes loans
and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement,
and/or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide
broadband service to eligible rural areas.

The USDA's Broadband ReConnect Program new rules dramatically expand
eligibility and effectively redefine broadband. Entities that can apply
for ReConnect assistance include corporations, limited liability
companies/partnerships, cooperative or mutual organizations,
states/local governments including
agency/subdivision/instrumentality/political subdivision, and Tribal (as
defined in Section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education
Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b)).

Please join us as we review the program's new rules, provide guidance on
how to take advantage of this funding opportunity, and share tips on how
to position your application.

The ReConnect Loan and Grant Program Workshop will be held on Wednesday,
November 17 from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. MDT. In this workshop, there
will be time to provide answers and strategic direction to participants.

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElcOyuqzsvHtIJvHxkULVAbtPhK8zyAE7t

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing
information about joining the meeting.

Thank you,

DoIT New Mexico Broadband Program and CTC Technology and Energy

---------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Lowenberg, Executive Director
1st-Mile Institute     505-603-5200
Box 8001, Santa Fe, NM 87504,
rl at 1st-mile.org<mailto:rl at 1st-mile.org>     www.1st-mile.org<http://www.1st-mile.org>
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