Executive Summary

One of the significant challenges facing network operators today is the high capital cost of deploying next generation broadband network to individual homes or schools. Fiber to the home only makes economic sense for a relatively small percentage of homes or schools. One solution is a novel new approach under development in several jurisdictions around the world is to bundle the cost of next generation broadband Internet with the deployment of solar panels on the owners roof or through the sale of renewable energy to the homeowner. Rather than charging customers directly for the costs of deployment of the high speed broadband network theses costs instead are amortized over several years as a small discount on the customer’s Feed in Tariff (FIT) or renewable energy bill. There are many companies such as Solar City that will fund the entire capital cost of deploying solar panels on the roofs of homes or schools, who in turn make their money from the long term sale of the power from the panels to the electrical grid. In addition there are no Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) and Green Bond Funds that will underwrite the cost of larger installations.

For further information and detailed business analysis please contact Bill St. Arnaud at bill.st.arnaud@gmail.com.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Googles next steps after Kansas City


[The hubbub and buzz around Google’s Kansas City fiver to the home (FTTH) project has died down as Google over the next year focuses on building out its network.

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Google's secret strategy with the Kansas City Fiber project


[I have long been perplexed at how Google plans to make a profit with their Kansas City Fiber project.

Friday, February 24, 2012

A novel way to fund broadband FTTH Internet - converting old coax/copper into microgrids


[I have long argued that we need to find new business models to underwrite costs of next generation broadband – Fiber to the Home ( FTTH) if we ever hope to breakup the existing broadband oligopoly.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

What the Green Bay Packers can teach us about broadband

If Green Bay, Wis., a town of 105,000 people, can raise $70 million to rehabilitate its football field by selling $250 stock shares, I bet $250 there’s a community in America that can raise $2 or $3 million for a broadband network. Any takers?

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

New York Times on how universities and R&E networks can help community broadband deployment


[Tom Friedman's OpEd piece in today's NYTimes http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/opinion/friedman-so-much-fun-so-irrelevant.html?_r=1&hp captures the essence of why Internet and broadband are so critical to the future of our economy.