[Maineisp] LD 1128

[Andy Hinkley]

I know that it is fashionable in Maine to look to government entities to
solve all our problems. However, this one would really backfire against the
interest of Mainers, especially rural ones.

Any private entity that tries to make a go of it in the rural areas needs
all the customers it can get in those areas, and in the suburban areas that
it may also serve. Local Maine-based companies are the only ones stepping up
to serve rural areas, since there is no economic incentive for the
out-of-state-based companies to give a hoot about those areas while they are
still busy getting started building out their latest services in the far
larger markets of Megalopolis to the south of us.

If Maine's rural areas are to be served with available and affordable
broadband, it will be by these smaller Maine-based companies. The last thing
that the state needs is municipal "cream-skimming" of the easy-to-reach
downtown areas that those municipalities would address with available
technologies. The more rural areas will be left unserved, by their
neighboring municipalities or probably even by their own municipality; and
if the municipality is successful in serving its downtown areas there will
not be enough market in the remaining areas for even the most enthusiastic
private entity to serve.

Bad idea. I'm opposed to it. If any municipality is interested in seeing its
citizens served, its officers should contact the Maine ISP Association;
among the lot of us, there is probably someone who would be willing to take
a crack at offering service in their area.

-- Andy Hinkley

Andrew H. Hinkley, Manager
Cornerstone Communications, LLC
19 School Road
Charleston, Maine 04422
Tel: (207) 285-7174
Fax: (207) 285-7173
andy.hinkley at ccmaine.net


-----Original Message-----
From: maineisp-bounces at lbs.midcoast.com
[mailto:maineisp-bounces at lbs.midcoast.com]On Behalf Of cburke
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2005 2:43 PM
To: maineisp at lbs.midcoast.com
Subject: [Maineisp] LD 1128

Attached please find LD 1128, allowing municipalities to set up a wireless
ISP capability, and for the legislature to review a feasibility study on
that issue. Do we want to take a position on this issue. If you could let me
know ASAP, I’d appreciate it.

Chris

Christine Burke
McCloskey, Mina & Cunniff
77 Water Street
Hallowell, ME 04347
Phone: 207-430-0018; Facsimile: 207-623-3748

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