Telecommunications Links

Alliance for Community Media - The Alliance represents the interests of over 1,000 public, educational and governmental ("PEG") access organizations (generally known as "public access") and public access internet centers throughout the country. This is a great site to start at when investigating the role and potential of PEG stations. Link added 9/00.
APPA - Community Broadband - The American Public Power Association has a Web page devoted to issues involving public broadband deployment. Though some articles are only available to organization members, much of the info is public. Updated 12/06.
American Public Works Association (APWA) - The APWA's Resource Center contains a great variety of documents, ordinances, and related materials on right-of-way management and fees. Posted 10/02.
Austin, Texas City Connection - Telecommunications and Regulatory Affairs (TARA) - This site provides access to telecom ordinances and rights-of-way regulation in this progressive city.
Baller Herbst Law Group - This firm, with offices in Minneapolis and D.C., represents local governments on telecommunications issues. Firm attorneys are frequent lecturers at national conferences. The "Library" section of the site is where they post their articles -- good stuff! Link added 11/01.
Benton Foundation - Wireless Communications - The Benton Foundation is a non-profit organization which provides access to documents related to national telecommunications issues. The site is updated frequently.
Bioelectromagnetics Health Effects Update - This site is prepared and updated by a private consultant named Jim Beal in Texas. It is included here as a possible source of information regarding EMF concerns, an increasingly common topic raised by citizens when local governments are considering permits for various types of infrastructure. MRSC has not worked with Jim Beal, nor do we have the expertise to evaluate the data or information provided at this site. Link added 1/99.
Center for Municipal Solutions - This is a private web site run by a municipal telecom consultant firm. Their section on wireless antenna siting provides good information and perspective. Link added 10/02.
Center to Bridge the Digital Divide - This project, based out of Washington State University in Pullman, has as one of its goals: speedy deployment of telecommunications infrastructure to rural and underserved communities. The experts at the Center may be able to help your community - visit the CBDD Web site.
Denver, Colorado, Office of Telecommunications. Link added 1/00.
CityNet Telecommunications - This is the company that has been stringing fiber through the sewer systems of a growing number of cities throughout the USA. This alternative way of providing fiber in downtown areas is comparatively cheap and certainly less disruptive. Link added 1/03.
Comet Network List Serve - The Comet Network List Serve is designed for government access programmers to share information and exchange ideas. If you want to check out what equipment other operations are using, if others are experiencing the same technical problems you are having or just looking for some problem solving inspiration, this is the place! Posted 01/02.
Economic TeleDevelopment Forum - This site contains a wealth of materials related to telecommunications and Economic development and includes many links to articles and additional Web sites. Link added 12/00.
EMR Network - An organization of individuals and groups concerned about ElectroMagnetic Radiation.
Federal Communications Law Journal - published by the Indiana University School of Law and the Federal Communications Bar Association. Current and past issues can be reviewed and downloaded.
Federal Communications Law Journal, Telecommunications Related Links - This site provides links to many sources for scholarly legal articles in the telecommunications field. Link added 10/00
Federal Communications Bar Association Most members of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the FCBA are private attorneys representing telecom providers. However, there are a few public agency members. The local chapter holds occasional social gatherings and periodic substantive meetings in the Seattle area. If you are curious regarding the costs and the benefits of joining, check out the FCBA web site or call Jim Doherty at MRSC. Link added 11/01.
Federal Communications Commission - In December 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) set up a page on the Internet specifically to provide information to local government officials and planners . The page provides quick access to some of the documents such as the Universal Service Report, and Fact Sheets No. 1 and No. 2 concerning Wireless Facilities Siting Policies. Though we have some of the basic FCC documents already linked here at our Web site, this new page might become a good place to go to first when you need basic information or FCC documents, rather than searching our Web page or going to the FCC main Web address.
Federal Communications Commission - Regulation of Obscenity, Indecency and Profanity - Congress has given the Federal Communications Commission the responsibility for administratively enforcing the law that governs obscene, indecent or profane broadcasts. The FCC has authority to issue civil monetary penalties, revoke a license or deny a renewal application. The FCC has launched a website that explains the definitions and the complaint process.
FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau - This is one section of the FCC Web page. The direct link is provided here for those who are seeking information on the work of this specific bureau within the FCC.
Fiberloops.com - You can search this site to obtain information about existing fiber installations throughout the country. Link added 1/01.
FTTH -- Fiber to the Home Council - The Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Council is an association of companies comprising telecommunications, computing, networking, applications, and content and service providers. Their mission is to educate, promote, and accelerate FTTH and the resulting quality-of-life enhancements. Link added 1/02.
GATV Government Access TV Stations - Nonprofit source for information on government access TV issues. Its mission is to promote Government Access Television to city communities through the use of television, the Internet, and other electronic media that, in turn, will encourage community spirit, educational progress, and local government support. Link added 4/01.
Government Technology magazine - This magazine Web site has articles providing a wealth of practical information on how local governments can use technology to improve services and enhance the quality of life in our communities.
Greater Metro Telecommunications Consortium (GMTC) - The GMTC is a board of local government representatives comprised of 28 communities in the greater Denver area. The consortium has developed and posted model documents, including franchise agreements, ROW ordinances and wireless ordinances, all of which are relevant to local government nationwide. Link added 7/03.
International Right of Way Association - This industry group provides information to its members concerning wireless facilities siting issues. Link added 2/01.
K-20 Network - Here is an introduction to Washington's impressive K-20 Network, a fiber backbone connecting and serving the educational institutions of the State of Washington. Link added 2/01.
Kansas City Regional Telecommunications Consortium - This is a telecom Web site that serves the cities and counties of the Kansas City metropolitan area. You can access model documents and various ROW agreements. One document that might be of interest is the City of Raytown street degradation fee tables. Link added 9/00.
League of California Cities Telecommunications : Telecom: What Cities Need to Know - Background information and update changes regarding telecommunications technology and regulatory approaches. Added 2/06.
Metropolitan Area Communications Commission - This organization serves suburban and rural areas west and south of Portland, OR, and deals primarily with cable issues. There are many documents and links available through the site. Link added 8/03.
Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Council of Governments - Telework Resource Center. Posting updated 1/01.
Miller & Van Eaton, P.L.L.C. - This Washington, D.C. law firm specializes in FCC regulatory work, and represents local governments on telecommunications issues. Joe Van Eaton has been a popular speaker at local government conferences focusing on telecommunications issues. The firm posts articles which are accurate and timely.
Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission - Portland/Multnomah County intergovernmental cable commission (consisting of Portland (OR), Multnomah County, and 5 other jurisdictions.) This site will help Washington jurisdictions keep track of what our savvy brothers just to the south are doing on the cable front.
Municipal Communications Law - This is the web site of Brian Grogan, a Minnesota attorney with the Moss & Barnett firm. Mr. Grogan is a frequent speaker at telecommunications conferences, and his materials provide good, basic advice on the primary telecom and cable issues. Link added 1/03.
MuniWireless.com : Reports on municipal wireless and broadband projects - This is a good place to start if you need to research options for providing wireless options for your community. Link added 11/03.
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA)
National Cable & Telecommunications Association - This is the PR and lobbying arm of the cable industry. Here's where you can examine the industry's public face and their goals for this medium. The links on this page are to National NATOA member sites, or to sites useful to NATOA members. There is some overlap with the MRSC telecom links, but some potentially helpful additional sites. Link added 9/00, updated 7/03.
National Cable Television Organizations - This page from the "Independent Cable" web site contains a list of links to the major national cable organizations. Link added 1/03.
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Oregon Economic & Community Development Department - Here's a link to a telecommunications page that might provide ideas regarding efforts to provide advanced telecom infrastructure in rural areas. The Department facilitates the deployment of telecommunications infrastructures to create Economic opportunities and build quality communities throughout Oregon.
Plannersweb.com - A site for many planning issues, including telecommunications related matters. For several articles on wireless facility siting click here.
PlanWireless is a newsletter devoted to telling local governments what the wireless industry isnt telling them. PlanWireless is published by Kreines & Kreines, Inc., a consulting firm in California that helps cities and counties plan for cellular towers. Kreines & Kreines, Inc. doesnt work for the wireless industry. Ted Kreines has assisted several cities and counties in the State of Washington.
Portland, Oregon, Office of Cable Communications and Franchise Management - The mission of the Office of Cable Communications and Franchise Management is to ensure the city of Portland and its citizens are fairly compensated for private use of the public rights of way; to defend the city's role and the public interest in the rapidly changing telecommuncations and utility markets; and to regulate and advocate on matters related to cable communications.
Scenic America - This national nonprofit membership organization is dedicated to protecting natural beauty and distinctive community character. Their web site has a section devoted to telecommunication antenna issues, and they sell some excellent brochures and short publications that can help to educate local elected officials.
Seattle Office of Cable Communications
Short Course on Cellular Communications - Non-engineers can take a short course on cellular communications for free, sponsored by the International Engineering Consortium. You can learn some of the basics regarding the technology and get comfortable with all those abbreviations. There are quizzes at the ends of the short lessons so you can see if you grasped the basics. Posted 1/01.
Stealth Concealment Solutions, Inc. - This private company can let you know what type of antenna concealment is being done around the country, and the cost. Their Web site shows some examples of new technology and creativity.
Tacoma's Click! Network - This site explains the history, services available, and construction progress on Tacoma Power's cable system, which now offers subscribers the ability to use their TVs to access the Internet and send E-mail. Link added 12/98.
TCS International, Inc. is a Florida based corporation that provides consulting & management services to municipalities and to both the telecommunication and public utility industries. Specializing in cable television, TCS International offers a wide range of services. Their Web site contains information regarding their services and a list of the cities that they have assisted. (For cities trying to develop broadband options, this firm might provide assistance. JAD) Link added 1/00.
Technology Grant News - identifies public and private sector funding sources for your program initiatives. It costs to subscribe, but if you obtain a grant the expense would be well worth the cost. Posted 2/02.
TechWeb - The IT Network - For those of you who like to keep up with not only telecommunications, but also the many computer, internet and related technology issues, this site appears to cover it all in brief, up-to-date articles: new developments, financial information, political issues, global perspectives.
Telecom Information Resources on the Internet - This is the granddaddy of all telecommunications Web sites, providing links to over 8,000 additional telecom sites. This black hole will lead you to more telecom information than you ever thought existed. Fortunately, because of good indexing and arrangement, you can locate information to meet most of your telecom needs.
TelecomWeb - is the Internet's leading source for business news, market research and competitive analysis on the global communications industry. TelecomWeb links all facets of the market (broadband, wireless data, satellite, fiber optics, and e-business) through one portal, providing users with a complete information tool. Link added 7/03.
Telecommunications Online - A monthly magazine covering carrier-class and wide area technologies worldwide. This magazine provides detailed information regarding business and technological aspects of the evolving telecommunications world. If the abbreviations TDMA, DWDM, ATM, and CDMA aren't foreign to you, or if you want to delve into the changing world of telecommunications, this will keep you informed. This is not a site for those new to telecommunications issues.
Telecommunications Program, maintained by USDA /Rural Development/Rural Utilities Service. This site provides access to information and ideas for how telecommunications infrastructure and universal service requirements encourage and promote Economic development in rural areas of the country. Those seeking more detailed information specific to Washington State should contact the Washington State Rural Development Council at (360) 704-7711. Link added 6/99.
TeleCommUnity - The Local Government Telecommunications Alliance - TeleCommUnity is an alliance of local governments and their associations which are attempting to refocus attention in Washington on the principles of federalism and comity for local government interests in telecommunications. Link added 8/02.
Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers & Advisors - This site provides access to sample cable franchises and related documents from Texas jurisdictions. Link added 2/02.
Urban Research Initiative: information technology and the future of urban environments - This is a great site for articles dealing with the impacts that information technology is having on our cities. On the site you can sign up for the free TELECOM-CITIES listserv and receive frequent e-mails providing links to additional articles. If you are fascinated by the radical technology transformation going on, this is a site to know and use. Link added 8/00.
Verizon Foundation - "Verizon Foundation supports programs that create innovative eSolutions, help bridge the digital divide, foster basic and computer literacy, help enrich our communities, and create a skilled workforce." Consider this funding option when planning how to develop your telecommunications infrastructure. Link added 2/03.
Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission - Telecommunications Page
The World of Wireless Communications - Antenna Siting - The Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) maintains a Web site which is sponsored by about 100 wireless telecommunications companies. The home page of this Web site can help you access tons of information concerning the wireless industry. The site includes summaries of cases involving antenna siting disputes. The information is updated on a regular basis.