2. Do you see value in raising WISPA fees to allow for more efficient lobbying efforts with the FCC and other Government Entities
Yes http://www.surveymonkey.com/images/t.gif 61.4% 35 No http://www.surveymonkey.com/images/t.gif 38.6% 22 1. Should be based upon customer base. Bigger companies get more benefit and should support the association more 2. Maybe What lobby efforts are we working on I know white space isn't finished but what else is there to do. [WISPA is currently involved in establishing a National Broadband Strategy for the Obama Administration. We feel it is important that WISPs be represented as this strategy is defined and submitted to the administration. Our attorney also monitors other non-WISP frequencies NPRM's and alerts us to any issues which we may have an interest in responding to such as the following:] TV White Spaces -- The FCC's initial order was released last month, but there will be a follow-up Notice of Inquiry. In addition, WISPA may wish to consider seeking reconsideration of the order -- we hear that effort is already underway by other interested parties. An essential part of this process will be forming alliances with other groups to help achieve consensus positions. We could be involved in all phases of this effort. National Broadband Strategy Group -- We would work closely with you to support your efforts with NBS. This would include attending meetings, participating on calls, performing research, helping to develop solutions and strategy and other related tasks. FSS Earth Station Audit -- As we discussed, we could assist WISPA in filing and prosecuting a request to audit FSS earth stations in the 3650 MHz band to determine whether they still exist, potentially removing a significant impediment to deployment of 3650 MHz systems. Other Issues -- Some other issues important to WISPA may also arise during the year. A partial list would include: (1) USF reform and its extension to broadband (which Obama supports), (2) AWS-3 rules (expected December 18), (3) Form 477 revisions, (4) Part 15 rule changes, and (5) RUS loan regulations. 3. I don't really know enough about this issue. (no "Maybe" option) More political power sounds good, but what is the cost/benefit, especially when perhaps in opposition to huge corporate telecoms? [We have a contracted attorney on a monthly retainer to monitor and assist with these issues and future issues, thus far, with the TV Whitespaces issue, we have been very happy with the cost/benefit this retainer has afforded us] 4. You need more people to join, not less [Agreed] 5. The fees are very low now and the lobbying effort is great. It could be even better if we had more funds. Telcos spent the most money on lobbyists in 2008 so far. [This has always been a challenge as we started WISPA and intentially kept fees low to attract membership, with a more mature Association and more lobbying demand now, we need to be flexible on how we approach membership fees and budget our lobbying funds, more can be done with higher membership fees, but we are definitely concerned about not pricing small operators out of our membership by raising dues beyond what they can afford. There seems to be two sides, those who criticize (constructively) WISPA for not having higher dues and those who can't afford higher dues. We are compassionate to both sides and have struggled with raising dues because of this fact.] 6. Unless you were hiring a paid lobbyist - and that would take about $6K per month - there's no reason to raise dues. Visiting FCC can be done virtually too. [We do pay an attorney to assist us in our lobbying efforts for less than $6K per month, we try to personally send operators to Washington to assist as well. We really need to be sending WISPs to Washington several times per year now. We are always looking for volunteers to go. Much of what we currently do is virtual, but that is not always enough to have the serious impact that we need] 7. Until government changes to be for the people instead of a select few, any dues will not make a difference. [I think we are all hoping the new administration will bring forth some of these changes! It will be interesting to see if they hold true to many of the campaign and pre-inauguration promises.] 8. Maybe something tiered, I only have about 100 subs. [Understood, this is why I based the survey questions as I did] 9. I'm conflicted on this. I'm not sure WISPA is having any real effect, but I'm not sure they are not. [We believe we had a major impact in the TV Whitespaces NPRM and outcome, it has taught us the importance of strong legal counsel in Washington DC and it has assisted us in talking to the right people.] 10. The only way we are going to be heard is if we have a full time presence just like the big boys. [In process since July!] 11. I feel the dues should be based on a WISP's subscriber count. Vendor dues should be based on a member's annual revenues or some other metric. [That is one of the options we are looking at.] 12. Can't agree to raising the price when I don't know the current price. [$250 annually] 13. No, but I would pay more for stuff that I can reach out and touch. Buying groups, documents, passworded site with super vault filled with treasures..... [We are currently developing a members only section on the website where these documents can be stored. We will also be developing further member discounts with our vendors over the next few months. There are already some discounts listed on the <http://www.wispa.org/?page_id=256> Vendor Discounts page on the website.] 14. I would rather see income rise because of membership increases before raising the dues. [I agree, however, after 4 years and some major current lobbying efforts and a need for an Executive director or staff, we have reached a level where we need to reassess our dues structure to achieve all the desires of our members] 15. only slightly, since it tends to drive out the smaller startups! [We are very aware of this, it is always at the forefront of our thought processes] 16. I think they should remain the same. 17. Bring forth products and services, then take a cut of them to fund lobbying efforts. [This is also something we are considering] 18. I would need to see more specific examples of how additional funding is needed to achieve tangible goals. [See above, if this doesn't answer your questions, email me offlist] 19. actually this should be unknown or N/A as I am not fully aware of WISPAs lobbying efforts. [See above] 20. I think that indepth lobbying that can be effective is critical. WISPA has shown massive progress and influence on the process and anything supporting those continued efforts would be well received. Can I just donate money toward lobbying and not join? [Thank you for your encouragement. Of course, email me offlist and we can take care of your request but why would you not join?] Respectively, Rick Harnish General Manager - Midwest Region Great American Broadband 260-827-2482
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