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Manager's Memo - For the Week Ending July 23, 2010
MTIA Weighs in on Broadband Docket: Go slow , don't duplicate efforts, and don't hamper private enterprise --- that's the advice the association gave the Missouri PSC this week regarding its efforts to assess broadband availability in Missouri.
In comments filed in the case docket Wednesday, the association urged the Commission to rely on the broadband mapping project already funded and underway, rather than duplicate the effort on its own. MTIA also pointed out that, with debate on the National Broadband Plan just getting started, the Commission should hold off on recommending state policy changes until the federal plan is clearer. Any policy options selected should be both technology and provider neutral, and not work against the business case for private enterprise to further deploy broadband.
The Commission plans to meet August 25 with industry stakeholders to further discuss the plan's goals and scope. The Commission is required to make a report to the General Assembly on policy choices to support broadband deployment by December 2011.
Nixon Appoints Former Lawmaker to Tax Commission: Governor Jay Nixon has appointed Jeff Schaeperkoetter to the Missouri State Tax Commission. The three-member state panel supervises property assessments in Missouri and sets the original valuation for utilities, including telecommunications carriers.
Schaeperkoetter is an experienced veteran of state government, having served in all three branches. He served in both the Missouri House and Senate, as a circuit court judge and an assistant attorney general.
Martinez Joins Chamber Board: Arthur Martinez, director of governmental affairs for MTIA member company CenturyLink, has been named to the board of directors of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Missouri Chamber is the state's largest business trade association and advocacy group representing business interests in the legislature.
Martinez, former MTIA board member and past association chairman, directs all regulatory, legislative and external affairs for CenturyLink in a seven-state region including Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas.
Telergee Alliance Rural Benchmark Study Released: A new benchmark study confirms what Missouri provides already know --- broadband and wireless customers are increasing while landline voice customers continue to decline. The new benchmark study by the Telergee Alliance, an organization of CPA firms, details declining revenues for rural carriers and increasing costs to maintain networks. For more information on the study, contact Joe Gerot at MTIA member company Kiesling Associates LLP (jgerot@kiesling.com) or visit Telergee's website at www.telergee.com.
Industry Partner of the Week: MTIA member Joseph D. Fail Engineering Company, Inc. provides telecommunications engineering services to ILECs, CLECs, wireless providers, state and federal agencies and educational institutions in Missouri. For more information call Rob Sandhaus, president, at 601-764-2195 or visit them online at www.jdfec.com.
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