RE: I-Net/Statement of Principals/It is Here

[Gerry Balbier <gbalbier@heinz.org>]

Tim,

As you know, the I-Net Working Group is basically a bunch of volunteers
dedicated to finding a voice in the cable franchise negotiations for
schools, libraries and community-based organizations.  The collective voice
of the Working Group has made an impact on the cable contract negotiations.


Nothing gets done when we sit on the side lines waiting for the perfect
model of civic engagement.  The I-Net Group has stepped to the plate and
taken action.  The leadership and cooperation I have seen over the last 6
months just on this issues suggests that we can accomplish much more on a
larger scale.  We are currently negotiating a telecommunications package for
schools, liberties and cbo's to share infrastructure, offer free hook ups to
dedicated high bandwidth, open access to learning content; collaborative
planning and budgeting.  I would hate think of what we would get if we stuck
with the language in the contract that the City announced in late November.


I know that this is only a beginning, but do you really think any of this
would have happen without the effort of the 70 groups that have participated
in the process facilitated and supported by the I-Net Working Group?  

Gerry

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Subject: Re: I-Net/Statement of Principals/It is Here


Rick:

I have read your Principles document.  If AT & T signed off on this I can 
only conclude that they thought the so called "I-NET" group was acting in
the 
best interest of the community.  However the content of the document is 
narrowly focused and technically incompetent based on today's technology. In

my opinion it seeks to install a private sector (for profit) entity in the 
middle between the community-based organizations and the City/AT & T 
Franchise process.  Clearly to profit from the so called "I-NET".

Now that it appears that the motivation is clear let me tell you that based 
on today's technology for supporting infrastructure design, including the 
provision of bandwidth, whether dedicated or switched, your Principles 
Document does not provide for optimizing the cost economies which would be 
available to the many Pittsburgh community organizations which prospectively

may have an interest in a so called "I-NET".   The only thing clear in your 
document is that a profit-making entity should be installed to 
coordinate/manage the I-NET.  And it implicitly it appears that you have 
already decided who that entity is going to be.

The city and the community has experienced the effects of similar actions in

the past.  For example to bring the "Information Highway" to the Hill 
District and other communities.  And don't worry about cost they said, we 
will get funding for you.  You simply need to turn that funding over to the 
managing entity once we get it for you.
And it was built, and they came.  But eventually it became clear that in the

name of supporting the community....the community got shortchanged-greatly.

I will try to make today's hearing even though I have 2 appointments.  
However if I can't make it you can be sure that I will make my views known
to the political/private sector parties involved as well as the community.

Thank You,'

Tim Kelly