WAISP Update -- An Open Access Victory! (fwd)

[Joel Ware IV]

Here's some REALLY good news on the open-access front, from the "City of
Destiny" just to our south.  I hope this precedent will help with our
efforts to persuade King County and City of Seattle.

Joel Ware, IV           jw4 at scn.org
Volunteer Coordinator, Member of Governance, HR, Ops, Board, ExComm

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 2 Dec 1999 21:23:50 -0800
From: Gary Gardner--Executive Director <exec-director at waisp.org>
Subject: WAISP Update -- An Open Access Victory!

Although the fight for open access to the cable TV systems moves at a
somewhat glacial pace, we have scored a MAJOR victory in our own backyard.

In the City of Tacoma, Tacoma Public Power developed a cable TV network to
compete directly with TCI.  They developed the network with the capability
to offer broadband Internet Access over that system in addition to cable TV
programming, and Tuesday evening -- while Seattle was gripped by rioting
protestors -- the Tacoma City Council approved the public tariff for
Internet access over the CLICK! Network.  Throughout the process of
developing the CLICK! Network, and with WAISP assistance and support, open
access was a component.  The city has beta tested the system with three
Tacoma ISPs, and now is ready to begin selling to the public and allowing
ISPs to serve customers over the system.

When I testified at the City Council Tuesday, I commended them for their
actions and for developing the system with an open network in mind.  We can
now point to Tacoma as a city with a TRUE Open Access Cable system.

The CLICK! Network has two options for ISPs as well.  One option is that
the ISP can use the CLICK! backbone to transport traffic from your routers
to the NAP, and the other is to use your own backbone provider -- thus
enabling even small providers who might lack larger backbones to serve
customers over the Tacoma system.  We are very pleased at this development
to say the least.

I asked Debra Stewart, the CLICK! General Manager  how WAISP members could
inquire about serving customers over CLICK!, and her response was:  "Click!
will be sending out RFQs (request for qualifications) this month.  We will
make sure all of your association members receive one.  Thanks again for
your assistance.  The speech at the podium was terrific!"

We can now point to at least one Washington municipality where citizens
have multiple choices of ISPs and broadband delivery methods -- Tacoma.
(If you'd like a copy of their press release, please let me know and I'll
forward one to you.)

Meanwhile, WAISP has sent letters to the Kitsap County Council, and to the
mayors of Bremerton, Poulsbo, Port Orchard and Bainbridge Island, and to
the mayor of Bellingham to initiate discussions over how those
jurisdictions should mandate open access to the cable systems they regulate
(in addition to our continuing efforts in Seattle, King County and
Spokane.)  We'll continue to keep you posted as things progress.




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