Many of you reading this article may be aware of the PR push by Kit Carson Electric Cooperative (KCEC) to obtain letters of support for their upcoming Broadband Stimulus Fund Grant and Loan application. I have received many inquiries from TaosNet subscribers asking for my opinion and individuals voicing their concerns. If the application being made by KCEC in this second round of funding is similar to their first round application of multiple projects, their intent is to build fiber optics cables running to multiple locations around Taos County. The promise made in their PR releases is that "The proposal has the potential to bring high speed Internet to every home and provide consumers with affordable rates and service provider choices." The key phrase is "service provider choices".

One of the federal requirements of these stimulus fund grants and loans is that any networks built using this federal money must adhere to the principle of Open Access Networks. This means that KCEC would be obligated to equally share the use of this fiber network with any service provider offering broadband Internet access and other telecommunications services at a fair and reasonable price. I have personally met with Luis Reyes, CEO of KCEC, to discuss their plans and he has asked for the support of TaosNet. After receiving assurances that the fiber network would be managed as a truly neutral open access network, I enthusiastically endorse their application. Mr. Reyes has also indicated a willingness to consider making available their entire fiber network to any service provider at fair and reasonable cost in addition to the fiber deployment funded by the Federal Broadband Stimulus Funds. A final decision in this regard must be approved by the KCEC Board of Trustees. I urge all members of the Coop to make known their support to the Trustees to this conecpt.

This willingness goes a big step further than what is required by the federal government. By integrating their existing fiber deployments into the open access framework, KCEC eliminates the many loopholes and roadblocks that could arise preventing a truly neutral network as required by the federal government in the use of our taxpayer dollars. KCEC can utilize its existing infrastructure of power poles and electrical distribution system in a very cost effective manner that will provide efficient use of federal funds.

Much emphasis has been put on widespread availability of high speed Internet with speeds greater than currently available via DSL and other connection methods. As is the case currently with DSL in which the consumer has a choice of which Internet Service Provider (ISP) is used to connect to the Internet, the commitment of KCEC to open access networks is a genuine milestone that will help provide competition in the market place for which our community should wholeheartedly endorse. Although all ISPs give you access to the Internet, the level of customer support, reliability, security and consistent access speeds to the Internet may vary widely among ISPs. Giving the consumer a choice is crucial because these attributes are as important to the consumer as price.

As a result of the KCEC willingness to commit their current and future fiber optic deployment to the Open Access Network concept, TaosNet strongly endorses their application for broadband stimulus funds. I urge every one interested in bringing to the Taos area the next phase in the evolution of technology to submit a letter of support to KCEC similar to the form letter they have published in the Taos News and elsewhere. To this letter of support for KCEC's application, an emphasis of support for an Open Access Network and praise for KCEC for committing to true service provider choice should be added.

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John D. Batis is one of founders of TaosNet, LLC and has been its Managing Member and System Administrator since 1995.

Please view the current draft of Description of Network Openness that will be included in the KCEC application.

Sample letter of support for KCEC application. (pdf or doc)
Signed letters may be dropped off at KCEC office or email to lreyes@kitcarson.com.
Thank you for your support!