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| Broadband plan availability gap: The best broadband analysis ever performed |
| Thursday, 22 April 2010 21:16 |
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In the spirit of disclosure I try to post publicly what I say at the FCC. No secrets here, but I thought to post promptly a note I just sent over.
I'm only halfway through the Broadband Availability paper and can already see it's a tour-de-force. I'm probably as close to this data as anyone outside the plan and am amazed at the skill and judgment. I've looked at literally dozens of studies looking at similar problems over the years, including major ones from OFCOM and others, and nothing has come even close. You've attacked numerous problems for which I thought the lack of data made it impossible to find a good answer and did so. Many points of the analysis are brilliant.
I appreciate just as much how explicit you were in the assumptions. That allows moving on policy even if a better assumption is found. For example, I believe "Investment decisions are made on the incremental value they generate" does not apply to 10-30% of the unserved. In particular, I believe a significant number are held back by financial and other issues at the local provider, most notably over half a million at Charter and other bankrupt or near-bankrupt cablecos. But because you've been very clear about the analysis, the assumptions can be tested and the appropriate used in policy.
In Hollywood, the folks who did special effects on the original Star Wars or today's Avatar are forever after assumed to be star quality. Telecom doesn't have a star system, but for the rest of your career this work will show anyone you're among the best. |