Wireless, Technology Networks

Wireless, Technology & Networks For Public Safety, Local Business Development & Local Economic Development Bob Ritter, Attorney • • Crown Castle International National Commercial Advisory Committee  APCO (Association of Public Safety and Communications Officers) • • Commercial Advisory Committee PAAPCO Bucknell Bison and PA Native Why should you care? • Fair and efficient zoning for wireless infrastructures is important to the Public Safety Community Public Sector Agencies are Network Operators • • • New technologies (higher frequency microwave, broadband, mesh, 700 MHz) are at higher frequencies and will require additional sites New tower construction is difficult for any operator… including government New networks are expensive, so leveraging private sector infrastructure and resources is vital - collocation should be easy Public Sector Agencies are Network Operators • • • • Every agency relies on some form of commercial network communications Public safety users demand high reliability, but zoning issues limit carriers’ ability to solve coverage and capacity problems An adversarial approach causes carriers and tower operators to act defensively, rather than proactively Fair and efficient policy will allow carriers to be more responsive to customers Wireless Networks are a Public Good • • • • • In many PSAPs, wireless calls are now the majority Surveys indicate most wireless E-911 calls are good Samaritan calls Poor coverage leads to dropped calls, inability to call back Network-based carriers require multiple sites to calculate Phase II information Poor coverage wastes time and resources, risks lives and limits economic development Wireless, Technology & Networks For Public Safety, Local Business Development & Local Economic Development Jim Innes, President/Founder • • • Carrier Class Deployment Services, LLC  Provides wireless backhaul system solutions for service providers, public safety networks and enterprise network managers Founding Board Member - Pennsylvania Wireless Association University of Pennsylvania Graduate Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Challenges For Government, Wireless Service Providers, and Wireless Infrastructure Developers throughout the Commonwealth The Big Driver - Demand for Wireless Services • • Nationwide 5 year subscriber growth – 55%  + 25 million added in 2006 alone  + 2 trillion minutes of use (MOUs) in 2006 Nationwide 5 year cell site growth 65%  200k sites today, some experts project 1 million in 5 years Let’s all face the facts – personal communication is evolving rapidly into a 100% wireless medium The Big Challenge - Zoning & Permitting • • • • In PA, it is a local function and prerogative But with 2,565 local municipalities, it’s still a huge challenge for local officials, wireless service providers and tower infrastructure providers Wireless service providers need to deploy their infrastructure efficiently to meet consumer demand and expectations for quality of services Citizens reasonably expect that wireless infrastructure will be deployed in a way that is consistent with local planning and aesthetic parameters Our Common Goal Wireless service availability that is as universally deployed as is possible, consistent with local regulations and regional planning, implemented in both an economically and time efficient manner that meets local regulations and citizen expectations Some Pathways to Follow • • • Local regulations and policies that encourage locally appropriate infrastructure deployment Wireless service providers and infrastructure developers working under an umbrella of cooperation and consensus with local government A recognition by all parties that the wireless service wave of ubiquity is coming ashore – why not ride it in, rather than it crashing over you? Wireless, Technology & Networks For Public Safety, Local Business Development & Local Economic Development Bill Shuffstall, Senior Extension Educator • • • Penn State Cooperative Extension Involved with over 15 Pennsylvania communities  Assisting with development projects to increase availability and awareness of the benefits of the use of Broadband and Information Technologies Also helped communities in Ohio and New Mexico prepare for the information age Growing recognition – Broadband is necessary • • • • • • Education Jobs/economic development Healthcare Government services Public safety ROI insufficient to attract private sector providers What’s the platinum standard • • Network Connectivity  Ubiquitous  Affordable  Residential & business class connections  Integrated technology platforms Services  Competitive offerings  National providers  Local entrepreneurs What it takes to get it done? • • • Community commitment and engagement Innovative models Scale A few examples • AlCoNet - Alleghany County Maryland • Cambria County PA • Que-Networks – Cherokee Nation Commonalities • • • • • • Recognized need Community l\eadership Partnerships Buy-in and collaboration  Across multiple community stakeholder groups  Multi-municipal Leverage strengths of private and public sectors Leverage public resources Money, Leadership and Politics Wireless, Technology & Networks For Public Safety, Local Business Development & Local Economic Development