This sounds more like an awareness and image problem for the local WISP industry. Some of it could be lack of effective marketing. It might be a good idea for every WISP to contact their local/county Planning and economic development offices and introduce themselves, show them the coverage area and explain what it is you do. Typically anything like this project will deal with these local offices. If they know you exist, you might have a better chance of being part of the solution. It is amazing how much of a vacuum those organizations live in sometimes :-)
Thank You, Brian Webster -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Kurt Fankhauser Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 9:55 PM To: 'WISPA General List' Subject: [WISPA] Connect Ohio Program? anyone heard of this Just got done reading an article in my local newspaper here. Apparently there was a meeting here in the county about how we need more broadband options. Funny thing is no one ever called any of the 4 wireless providers in the county here and asked them to attend. And there is a group touring around with the governor called "Connect Ohio" with a moto of "No child left un-connected." Has anyone here heard any of this at all. I've never heard any one mention it but apparently it sounds as if this has been going on for a while. And then at the end of the article there is the local American Red Cross guy saying we are like a third world country, funny thing is they called me up about getting service in at that Red Cross Chapter and they were supposed to get hooked up but never did cause they canceled the install! Article is attached. Kurt Fankhauser WAVELINC P.O. Box 126 Bucyrus, OH 44820 419-562-6405 www.wavelinc.com _____ From: NewsBank -- service provider for Telegraph-Forum Archives [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 9:41 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Telegraph-Forum Document Telegraph-Forum (Bucyrus, OH) Telegraph-Forum (Bucyrus, OH) July 24, 2008 What can better broadband mean to Crawford County? By Gary Ogle Telegraph-Forum GALION -- A high-tech future demands high speed Internet. A large group of community leaders from Crawford County dreamed and discussed Wednesday afternoon about what better broadband service could mean to the people they help, the people they hire, the people they serve and those they educate. "One of the biggest problems," North Central State's Don Plotts said, "is getting people to understand they need technology." The session at Galion Community Hospital, part of Gov. Ted Strickland's Connect Ohio initiative "to accelerate technology and close the digital divide," was led by Sage Cutler and Gary Lambert of Connect Ohio. People from all facets of Crawford County, described as leaders in the eCommunity, were invited to discuss how their companies and organizations use broadband now and how it could impact them in the future. "This is the second benchmark work session in the state," Cutler said. Gallia County was the first and all 88 counties in the state will begin the process within the next two years. Cutler said Crawford County was selected to be among the first "because there were some other broadband initiatives (here)." Those in attendance included government officials from across the county, representatives of business and industry, education, health care and community organizations. Part of the process was to divide them into nine "sectors" as defined by their profession or the organization they represented. Wednesday's meeting had participants in seven of the nine sectors. Each sector discussed where it was at locally regarding broadband use, its application and implication, and what could be improved in the near future with better broadband resources. Cutler explained that Connect Ohio is a public/private partnership. "It's not costing the counties a thing," Cutler said. "That's going to be the cost the providers themselves invest." The concept is that by detailing the needs and potential for effective broadband usage in each county, Internet providers will have a better idea of where and how to invest in improving service. "It's driven by supply and demand like every other commodity," Cutler said. The importance of quality broadband use is obvious to a business like Lifetouch Church Directories of Galion which deals in publications using digital photography. "It's a huge value. The affordable availability to of broadband is critical to our company's future," Steve McElhatten said. "We have communications that come in large data files. These use are just huge files." The faster those files can be transmitted, the faster they can be processed. To the general public better Internet service with broadband can lower transportation costs because more people will be able to work from home. It can also mean more affordable opportunities in education because of the availability of improved and more comprehensive online classes. But at first glance availability and affordability don't appear to be a problem in Crawford County. Connect Ohio's research shows that the county has higher than average availability compared to the rest of the state. The average cost in Ohio for broadband service to households is just over $35 per month. In Crawford County the price ranges from $29.92 to $32.52. But the county's rate of adaptability, efficient and effective use of the Internet, is just 36 percent compared to 55 percent statewide. "Higher availability, lower adaptability," Lambert said. "The question is why?" Many of those in attendance agreed with Plott about convincing people of the value and necessity of broadband Internet service. "Our biggest issues aren't necessarily access, it's more awareness and adoption," said Crawford County OSU extension agent and professor, Steve Prohaska, who sat in on the agriculture sector. Citing the value of real-time information, Prohaska used the example of the effect of Japanese beetles on a farmer's crop of corn. "People can make or save money immediately with the click of a button," Prohaska said, noting agriculture was still the county's biggest industry. Wynford superintendent, Steve Mohr, said Internet access in students' homes to communicate with parents about their children and students' ability to do research outside the classrooom is a pressing issue. "One of the problems we have is a lack of Internet service, particularly for low income, rural families," Mohr said. Part of the Connect Ohio initiative is a portion called No Child Left Unconnected that has a goal of placing computers in the homes of disadvantaged families. Gary Miller, Crawford County commissioner, said providing information and services for constituents and sharing information between government entities would be valuable. "Dollars, time and people would be high on our priority list," Miller said. Another local issue regarding broadband service is band width. The wider the band, the greater volume and complexity of information it can carry. While some homes and businesses may currently have a form of broadband, cost and availability may prohibit them from receiving the type of service that is most beneficial to their needs. "That's the problem here in Crawford County, we're at the end of the line," said Mike Morton, head of the local chapter of the American Red Cross. "We're like a third world country when it comes to being connected. Afghanistan is connected, Crawford County is not." The group's next meeting is tentatively set for 3 p.m., Sept. 17 at Lowe-Volk Park. 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