Richard Rowe
KRVR

If you can, please attend the next KRVR Community Meeting on Aug. 6. I just posted the Agenda for that meeting to our website  www.KRVR.org

REASON: Broadband in the KRV issue on the agenda Mediacom Representative Anthony Sobieski (Techincal Supervisor, Kernville/Ridgecrest) will make a presentation about Mediacom's plans to build it's own fiber optic cable from Kernville to Ridgecrest. He will explain the timetable & process. They are making an application to BLM to run the line from Kernville to Ridgecrest (so, this is why BLM's Gregg Wilkerson should attend).

They are looking for SUPPORT from KRVR and elected officials (like your boss, Supervisor Jon McQuiston).

They may be seeking grant money for this too (I'm not sure).

This is a BIG DEAL for the Kern River Valley as the lack of good broadband is hurting the valley in terms of economic impacts (not to mention the general benefit of good Internet Connection). It would be good for the Supervisor to support this in a public way.

KRVR has a KRV Broadband Committee (chaired by KRVR Board Members Mike Ludiker & Debbie Hess).

Recently, they held a disappointing meeting with Verizon phone company (different from Verizon Wireless).

The KV Sun article by Barrie Mann shows WHY Mediacom's plans are so important.

Situation (as I see it):

Verizon phone company is nearly 'maxed out' on it's system.

Verizon phone company says it would cost $9+ million to put up a fiber optic cable line to Ridgecrest and doesn't see it financially feasible.

Even at it's best, Verizon phone company's DSL high speed Internet connections are much slower than Cable Modems (like Mediacom). And are hobbled by the quality of the copper phone lines. And are limited to a relatively close distance to a Switching Station (so only offer DSL in parts of Lake Isabella and South Lake, I believe).

Verizon leases several T-1 lines to Medicom to run Mediacom's  Broadband Internet cable modem. Again, Verizon being maxed out, future expansion is eliminated.

Mediacom has been forced to limit new connections, leading to many disgruntled would-be customers.

So, those who aren't close enough to get a Verizon DSL connection are stuck.

Satellite has speed limitations and high up front costs.

IF Mediacom puts in it's own Fiber Optic cable Kernville to Ridgecrest:

They'd free up the T-1 lines they are now leasing from Verizon, which solve Verizon's being 'maxed out.'

They'd be able to greatly expand Broadband Internet across the KRV with their cable modem

They'd be able to sell Mediacom VoIP Phone Services (VoIP = Voice over Internet Protocol) phone connections. This is like www.Vonage.com. This allows people to use their home phones as phones, but connected through the Mediacom Cable Modem (NOT the Skype, etc. PC phone things).

• http://www.broadbandinfo.com/broadband-connection/voip-phone-service/mediacom.html

There is a fellow, Win Lievsay <winr@cox.net>, who is a computer/Internet expert you have probably heard from. He got to me via Cathy Perfect of the KV Sun. He is aware of some grant money for Internet. He lives in Orange County and has a place in Wofford Heights. Not being able to get a cable modem now from Mediacom (wait list) or DSL from Verizon, he cannot do his Internet-dependent consulting business online while in the KRV. He isn't the ONLY one. As Tom Teofilo is well aware (and active in this issue), good broadband Internet is key to the success of the planned Lodge at Painted Rock here in the KRV.

Good, fast broadband Internet is key to the KRV's economic future.

Mr. Lievsay will likely attend the Aug. 6 KRVR Community Meeting, too.

IF you cannot attend the next KRVR Community Meeting, please contact the Mediacom fellow to see what you & Supervisor McQuiston can do to support this important breakthrough for the KRV's Broadband Internet future.

M. Anthony Sobieski

Supervisor, Technical Operations Ridgecrest/Kernville

(760) 446-5509 x207 Office

(760) 590-7807 Cell

(760) 446-5539 Fax

E-mail: asobieski@mediacomcc.com