Title
Community Broadband Network (CBN) Budget and Scope Adjustment - Wireless Option.
Suggested Motion
I move that Council approve a budget adjustment in an amount not to exceed $190,000 including taxes and a scope adjustment to add a fixed wireless and mobile wireless design to the Community Broadband Network. This budget adjustment does not award any contract to expend the $190,000 referenced.
Body
During the January 31, 2012 Council Meeting, Council approved project continuance and requested that the CBN project include the evaluation of a wireless access option at a comparable speed to the fiber network and provided further direction that this option is in addition to fiber to the premises.
Preliminary analysis of wireless technologies by the project consultant conclude that Gigabit speeds are achievable with fixed wireless technology but are not achievable with current wireless technologies for mobile users.
Although fixed wireless technology is capable of delivering 1Gbps from the node to the Premises, the cost for these systems far exceed the cost of a fiber network.
Technological options exist for a wireless open access network for mobile users. Further analysis is required to determine network performance and costs.
Alternatives
No wireless option be included in the CBN design. Choose only fixed wireless option. Choose only mobile wireless option.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
The cost estimate is a not to exceed amount of $190,000. This includes options for a design of fixed wireless and mobile wireless options to the network and integration of these options into the CBN Fiber Plant design and business plan. This amount includes a contingency of $10,000.
Attachments
A. CBN PowerPoint Presentation