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| Rural Communications
Development |
Rural America faces a particular dearth of broadband
and, in many cases, even cellular service. The lack
of service in rural areas is often substantially worse
than in suburban and urban areas. CTC works with rural
communities and agencies to evaluate the cost and
feasibility of deploying municipal networks and of
attempting to create incentives to lure private carrier
deployment.
For example, CTC assists rural clients to develop infrastructure blueprints and strategies with the objective of encouraging the expansion and enhancement of cellular telephone and broadband connectivity services. In some cases, the purpose of these strategies is for rural communities or public entities to become retail communications service providers – in others, the purpose is for the community to facilitate a reduction or removal of barriers to market entry for new and enhanced connectivity services.
Many of these projects are intended to help the community understand and address the industry’s perception of market and other barriers that the industries believe should limit their deployment; understand their perception of potential incentives to encourage deployment of broadband and cellular facilities; and understand their perceived price points and market shares required to meet cash flow objectives for their required investments. CTC prepares strategic “blueprints” that can serve as a guide for further steps in deploying communications infrastructure.
Strategic plans address such areas as:
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Cellular service
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Wired broadband infrastructure
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Wireless infrastructure capable
of supporting emerging wireless broadband technologies
(including WiFi, WiMax, and provider solutions
such as EvDO)
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Expansion and upgrade of the
community’s existing network resources and
other assets (such as utility and light poles,
rights-of-way, towers, hill-tops, and staffing)
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Cost of infrastructure and
payback period relative to leased services
- Network design that can be cost-effectively expanded
for economic, commercial, or residential use if
desired
- Potential purchase or lease options regarding
existing or planned fiber from private entities
- Deployment, operations, and maintenance costs
for the recommended strategies
- Preliminary fee structures to assist in cost recovery
- Analysis of the potential of intangible benefits,
such as economic development
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CTC:
Communications Engineering and Analysis for the Public
Interest |
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