Room 304, County Office Building

Present: Committee Members in Bold: Legislators Danny Ross, Carol Tytler, Sandy Price, Kathie Arnold. Dan Dineen, Director of Planning, Rob Corpora, IT Director and member of State networking infrastructure action team, Terry Fitzgerald, Virgil resident and SUNY Cortland Biology Professor, Karl Klein, Solon resident and OCC Computer Science Professor, Olivia Hersey, Harford resident and Systems Administrator at TC-3, Sue Morgan, Clerk of the Legislature, Eric Mulvihill, Media, Kirk Arnold, Truxton resident, Tom Gillson, IDA/BDC Director and Carmen Branca, President of New Visions.

Sandy Price, Co-Chair called the meeting to order at 9:31 A. M.

Minutes of the March meeting were unanimously approved with the correction to the spelling of Mr. Corpora’s name.

Mr. Dineen provided maps requested at the last meeting. He stated that some providers were not forthcoming with information. The committee reviewed the map and made suggestions for additions. Mr. Dineen will update the map with changes for the next meeting. He stated that he used the FAA data base for tower information. It was noted that proximity to towers does not always indicate service if the tower is above the sender. Ms. Tytler asked if the signals run laterally. Mr. Corpora said that cell phone signals run laterally and are regulated not to overlap. Ms. Tytler asked if it was the same with internet access. Mr. Corpora said it is the same technology.

Mr. Klein presented his questionnaire/survey for comment. The committee reviewed each question and made suggestions for additions and corrections. Ms. Tytler reminded the Committee that age information may connect with specialized grants that target certain populations. Mr. Klein will make adjustments, finalize the document and distribute it. Mr. Branca added that it is important to recognize that telephone as the new technology included with internet and voice. It is a service on a network that drives business models that draw more revenue as long as customers are not required to change their phone number. He suggested adding that to the survey as packaging brings the price down. He emphasized affordability to the masses not just a few. He also cautioned that speed issues are interpreted differently. The FCC considers dial up with a souped-up modem as high speed. Speeds are increasing everyday and need defining. Mr. Klein reminded the committee that school is ending soon and setting a deadline is important. Ms. Tytler said that Homer Schools are working on a similar project and suggested we use the schools to distribute the survey. She also suggested that the County’s website have a good link to the questionnaire. The committee divided responsibility of members to schools: Ms. Tytler-Homer School, Ms. Hersey-Marathon, Mr. Ross-McGraw and Ms. Price-Cortland. It was suggested that Legislator McKee contact Cincinnatus. Ms. Hersey will contact Superintendents of the Districts. Mr. Klein asked what time frame is desired and it was agreed that it should be at least a month to collect date to the end of May. Ms. Hersey said library contacts are important also. Paper copies will be made available to be collected by the school districts and a cover letter that Mr. Klein may already have.

Ms. Price introduced Mr. Carmen Branca, President and CEO of New Visions Powerline Communications for an overview of his company’s services. He told the committee that it is very exciting what they are doing. He said we are embarking on the new infrastructure of the 21^st century that will become as necessary as building road and bridges. This will be monitoring Health Care, Homeland Security and become a local security enhancement helping relieve soaring costs in that area. He said that the State and Federal governments have taken Broadband for the masses as a priority.

Presently we have existing infrastructure not designed to what we have now. Cable companies were designed as one way video and phone service designed for voice through copper tubing. The technology of the mid 80’s saw cable companies enhancing the infrastructure to provide internet services and phone companies changing their switching centers to allow for internet service. That is what has been out there. He added that wireless is not a consistent technology due to the topography of certain areas. This is the reason that this country is ranked16^thof all industrialized nations in the world as far as availability of broadband. Then you move in rural areas and find it little to non accessible based upon the cost of service.

He said they provide a technology quite advanced in Europe and catching on fast since FCC approval a few years ago. He said he worked for the State to get approval at their level. He emphasized that this cannot be deployed for retail services, it must be done third party.

He showed the committee a box and said that basically how this works is this unit has a circuit board mounted on a utility pole, 12 feet off the ground that provides low voltage power (14 watts) to the unit. It sends signals from the pole into every home fed from the transformer. He demonstrated another small box that is technically a modem with a power chip that can plug into any outlet in the home looking for signals. This eliminates the costly expense of the build out from the home. It can service other computers with a router and telephone service can also be added. He said that Syracuse is now testing for Cable TV through this technology called the triple play.

This technology makes these services affordable and we can connect to your schools, government buildings, libraries much faster and cheaper plus it will reach the last home out there. It is 3 times faster than Roadrunner and speeds are running up to 40-50 MG. Mr. Klein asked what is the limit. Mr. Branca said that the new chip set that is coming out next year is for 400 MGS: 220 from the home. He added that this technology is different from cable as speeds don’t decline with the number of people using it. We can then inject fiber down to different streets. He said that cable companies may have options of 130 different channels when individuals usually only watch 15 to 16 channels. The FCC asked cable companies to offer ala carte packages and they said no because of advertising revenue. We told the FCC that we would do it and offer 25 channels based on individuals selections that can be changed as the customer requests. We estimate providing the triple play in the $80 range. He added that there are many small businesses out there who can’t afford existing services and our order rate is affordable. Mr. Klein asked if there is a differential between commercial and private rates. Mr. Branca answered $5 versus $45 offered now. Mr. Klein asked if that included tariff. Mr. Branca said that the FCC requires it to be non-tariff.

Mr. Branca said that the State has provided his company with a 1.3 million dollar grant plus they are working at the Federal level for grant monies. He said they can do environmental monitoring and work with utilities to go green and homeowners will be able to go on-line and examine utility usage and cut costs. There is also the intelligent thermostat that shuts off at peak pricing helping utilities provide a smart grid. We are also working on synchronizing traffic lights to cut down on waits to conserve gas and emissions.

He emphasized that the key is the interest level for the masses and affordability. He said they are offering speeds at 15MG and the reason they aren’t higher is because they are waiting for national prices to come down to provide higher speeds. Ms. Hersey asked if they also work with NYSEG. Mr. Branca said they are talking to all utilities due to the mandates from the Public Service Commission for the smart grid. NYSEG’s recent acquisition by a Spanish company has them on hold right now.

Mr. Ross asked the cost of doing this. Mr. Branca said that in suburban areas high speed internet is offered at $28.90 per month. The combined loaded telephone package is $56.90. This is $30-$40 less than what is out there. In rural areas such as Virgil it could be as high as $63.00 after looking at the combined build out and take rate. That is still $20-$30 a month less. He added that they have no installation or monthly equipment fees and customers do not have to sign a contract. Mr. Klein asked if there would be tier services. Mr. Branca said not as yet but that is not to say that couldn’t change. Mr. Klein asked when changing speeds do they adjust at the pole or the house. Mr. Branca said that these are intelligent devices that we can talk to. The other nice thing is when we offer cable TV there will be no cable, just a small box in your basement that will be sending signals to your TV, computer and phone. You will not be dependent on a co-ax cable.

Mr. Fitzgerald asked where this all originates. Mr. Branca said it originates here and we inject it with long haul fiber from the Syracuse/Auburn area to Binghamton and tap it off on our network. Mr. Fitzgerald asked how far south does it reach. Mr. Branca said to Binghamton into Pennsylvania . The question was asked how does this reach distant homes and Mr. Branca said that they inject into the low voltage line just as the utilities do. Additionally we add fiber down the streets and the speeds remain constant. The question to how far can that home be from that point. Mr. Branca answered up to a mile as we can program this to be a repeater.

When asked if Cortland County is included in their plans, Mr. Branca responded that there intent is to follow National Grid’s footprint. It is just a matter of where we are going with that. He said he has had many meetings with towns and it will be a matter of where the interest lies.

Ms. Tytler recapped the committee’s goal of submitting a grant to the state that requires matching funds for 10 million dollars. Mr. Branca said that the infrastructure will be 5 million. Ms. Tytler asked if that is good or bad. Mr. Branca said in the scheme of things it doesn’t mean a lot but for this part of major deployment of 500 square miles it is easier for us to work in unison and apply for it. On the higher level we will go to the federal level as we have received support from Senators Schumer and Clinton to employ this technology in the state and that is where we would go for matching monies. Ms. Tytler asked if this committee gathers the necessary information will you be willing to be involved in a collaborative project to get matching dollars. Mr. Branca answered yes and it is their commitment to move forward but not just rely on grant monies as we would be waiting a couple of years. That is why it is important to see what the take rate is as our model will be built on a financial one. He said they are in a position to move more quickly. In the Town of Virgil the plan is to take the survey. They have scheduled a Town meeting for April 24^th at 7 PM to discuss the project. They will be able to go a website for them to indicate interest and we will take it from there.

There was discussion regarding the Village of Dryden seeking a grant for wireless in concert with Clarityconnect. Mr. Branca cautioned that wireless is a great system but doesn’t always reach 100% of the population.

Ms. Price thanked Mr. Branca for presenting the broadband project to the committee. It was determined that the survey be put out ASAP.

It was also determined that the committee will meet monthly with the next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th at 9:30 AM in room 304 for approximately 1 ½ hours. The agenda will be to update the map, review the survey information and provide another speaker for that meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 10:55 A. M.

Minutes prepared by Susan Morgan, Clerk

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