Alameda Power & Telecom An Enterprise of the City of Alameda LAST-MILE TECHNOLOGY AND RFP DEVELOPMENT

Get into Telecom Decide what business you want to be in Select technology options Develop a technology selection RFP

Business Plan Market studies Service needs of customer base Capital expenditure Revenue requirement Schedule requirements Determine acceptable technical risk Management approval

Last Mile Technology Wireless data transmission Hybrid fiber cable (HFC) Fiber to the …. –Neighborhood –Curb –Home

Wireless Strengths Cellular radio based (licensed) Wi-Fi (unlicensed) Reuse of existing poles and ROW No service drop costs –Internet access, –Mobile dispatch –Automatic meter reading

Wireless Limitations Limited RF spectrum availability Fast-moving technology Can support only limited video High- and low-end competition

H ybrid F iber C able Mature technology Utilization of aerial and underground ROW 130 ch. Video capacity (860 mhz BW) Supports video, data, and telephony

Alameda P&T Milestones Alameda Power & Telecom HFC System –Authority to proceed ~June 1999 –First customer ~ April 2001 –12,350 Customers ~ October 2004

HFC Challenges Competition –Incumbent CATV provider –Direct TV via satellite –Telephone system Internet access (DSL) –Niche customer wireless businesses Community wireless cooperatives Coffee shop, marinas, school campuses –Broadband over power lines? (BPL)

FTTx x = Neighborhood, Curb or Home Advantages of moving fiber toward customer –Large delivered bandwidth –Totally passive outside plant –Reduced RF distortions –Reduce or eliminate FCC regulation

Fiber to the Home Challenges –Ultra bandwidth markets haven’t developed –Leading-edge techniques required –Fiber terminal equipment not yet standard –Customer provided terminal power –Limited source of skilled fiber technicians

Technology Selection RFP Translate business plan parameters into design requirements –Service requirements –Engineering estimates –Available capital –Available schedule time –Service area –Define acceptable technical risk

Evaluate Responses Qualifications List previous completed work Examples of estimates versus actuals Independent, qualified consultant Reference list Job site visitations Technology selection cost = 1% of construction cost

Internal Resources Hire an enterprise champion Hire a technical expert in chosen technology

Choosing Technology Alameda Power & Telecom 2000 Grand Street Alameda, CA Jim Joe