That's part of the problem I have with these government handout programs. If you can't qualify for a loan through conventional means then why should the taxpayer be put on the hook?
Brad -----Original Message----- From: wireless-boun...@wispa.org [mailto:wireless-boun...@wispa.org] On Behalf Of Tom DeReggi Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:47 PM To: WISPA General List Subject: Re: [WISPA] StarOS Operator gets Stimulus Funding Travis, But, you and I are grading different topics.. I agree with your point, its questionable whether it was worth accepting the money on those terms. My point was that NTIA/RUS was not discriminating against small providers and giving them equal opportunity to consider that decission. Thats a good thing. I personally would rather get a private loan without the strings, If I can. But thats the whole point of the program isn't it?. If you can get a loan, you have no business applying for the BTOP/BIP program, because part of the requirement is you have to show NEED. IF a bank will lend for the project, for what ever reason, you really dont have "NEED" do you? Those that truly have need, may not qualify for private lending for the project, and may be more willing to make compromises to get the money. With that said, I have no knowledge of what Aloha's financial position or justification was. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband ----- Original Message ----- From: "Travis Johnson" <t...@ida.net> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 3:00 PM Subject: Re: [WISPA] StarOS Operator gets Stimulus Funding >I guess we'll wait and see if they think it was worth it 2-3 years from > now. If not a leasing company, any bank would have probably loaned > $106,000 toward this company if they put EVERYTHING on the line like > they did for this loan. Yes, they get a better interest rate, but so > what? If 3% vs. 6% is a deal breaker, you should probably be finding > another business to be in. > > Travis > Microserv > > > Tom DeReggi wrote: >> I disagree. Maybe I am not impressed with the award benefit, but I am >> very >> impressed with the borrower and the Lendor. >> What that transaction tells us is.... >> >> 1- Prior to First NOFA release many experts predicted awards smaller than >> 5 >> mil would not likely be considered. >> A: Not True. >> >> 2- Small providers dont have a chance to win an award in a big palyers >> game. >> A: Not True >> >> 3- Awards would be wasteful spending and hand outs to those that dont >> need >> it. >> A: Not True >> >> 4- We aren't asking for unjust hand-outs, All we really need is a little >> help!!! >> A: A small WISP got some help. >> >> I'm VERY impressed that NTIA/RUS extended thier valuable time to consider >> worthy small applications. >> >> The other thing is not all affordable equipment is possible to easilly >> finance through lease companies. >> For example, Getting a name brand Canopy on a 1yr-3yr lease aint hard, >> but >> its not easy finding leasing companies that will touch OEM style gear >> (MT, >> STAROS, type), or all equipment needed, and gets harder finding 5 yr and >> over. I can give an example of a "battery" for backup system, Who in >> their >> right mind would finance a product that dies over time and has no resale >> value? A RUS grant can cover ALL expenses relating to infrastructure >> critical for its operation. >> >> It also should be noted that because Aloha got a "loan" instead of grant >> he's allowed to use revenues from subscriber to go towards some operating >> costs to support the network also. >> >> >> Tom DeReggi >> RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc >> IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Travis Johnson" <t...@ida.net> >> To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org> >> Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2010 9:35 AM >> Subject: Re: [WISPA] StarOS Operator gets Stimulus Funding >> >> >> >>> Hi, >>> >>> I have to say I'm not impressed... $106,000 loan could have been gotten >>> with a leasing company, without all the government ties and >>> restrictions. >>> >>> Travis >>> Microserv >>> >>> >>> Matt Larsen - Lists wrote: >>> >>>> Aloha Broadband, a WISP in Hawaii that runs 100% StarOS, was one of >>>> the >>>> first 18 companies to receive broadband stimulus money. Looks like >>>> the >>>> total scope of the project was also a lot more reasonable than some of >>>> the other ones. >>>> >>>> http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jgqG0W8KNsbeVueTYPRDKYHqy8 twD9CLQMJ02 >>>> >>>> >>>> Matt Larsen >>>> vistabeam.com >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >>>> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>>> http://signup.wispa.org/ >>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >>>> >>>> WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>>> >>>> Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>>> http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>>> >>>> Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>>> >>>> >>>> >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >>> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >>> http://signup.wispa.org/ >>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >>> >>> WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >>> >>> Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >>> http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >>> >>> Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >>> >>> >>> -- >>> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. >>> Checked by AVG. >>> Version: 7.5.560 / Virus Database: 270.12.26/2116 - Release Date: >>> 5/15/2009 6:16 AM >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >> WISPA Wants You! Join today! >> http://signup.wispa.org/ >> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- >> >> WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org >> >> Subscribe/Unsubscribe: >> http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless >> >> Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ >> >> > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > WISPA Wants You! Join today! > http://signup.wispa.org/ > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- > > WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org > > Subscribe/Unsubscribe: > http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless > > Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/ > > > -- > Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. > Checked by AVG. > Version: 7.5.560 / Virus Database: 270.12.26/2116 - Release Date: > 5/15/2009 6:16 AM > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- WISPA Wants You! 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