Carlini's Comments - MUNICIPAL BROADBAND

BLUEPRINT FOR BIG BROADBAND: NOT BIG ENOUGH

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 13:54:29 -0600

EDUCAUSE’s latest white paper on America’s lack of broadband doesn’t shed light on the real issues.

After speaking about broadband connectivity at 1 gigabit or more at several conferences in January, one of the other speakers sent me an EDUCAUSE white paper entitled “A Blueprint For Big Broadband,” which was written by John Windhausen.

The EDUCAUSE group is made up of about 2,200 colleges and universities. Its white paper goes into detail on how the United States has failed to keep up with other parts of the world. While it’s a good attempt at providing a warning, their solution doesn’t get us close to where we need to be.

Continue reading "BLUEPRINT FOR BIG BROADBAND: NOT BIG ENOUGH"

BROADBAND SPEEDS NEED TO BE GIGABIT - NOW

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 15:29:06 -0600

Depending on your current definition of broadband network connectivity, you might want to update your frame of reference.

Did you know at the beginning of 2008 that Japan announced its objective for broadband connectivity is 10 gigabits by 2010? In some recent discussions I have had, some industry pundits think 1 gigabit is too high to achieve.

Continue reading "BROADBAND SPEEDS NEED TO BE GIGABIT - NOW"

CHART OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:17:50 -0600

Critical Infrastructure can be defined as that infrastructure which is needed to provide the platform to develop and sustain economic development. Today, it is a multi-layer platform that includes several elements.

Continue reading "CHART OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE"

TEST OF NETWORK COMPETENCY

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:40:11 -0600

This is a short test that is related to an article on Network Infrastructures and Holiday Cocktail Parties. Take it and see how you do. Do you really know some of the basic concepts and terminologies?

Continue reading "TEST OF NETWORK COMPETENCY"

WIFI, WIMAX EVOLUTION

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:59:35 -0500

Failed Wi-Fi initiatives have increased because there are no real champions for their success. Many people are questioning and quoting where the wireless market is going and trying to make excuses for reality.

The reality is Wi-Fi isn’t the universal solution so many people pumped it up to be. This comes from Wired on Sept. 4, 2007:

Continue reading "WIFI, WIMAX EVOLUTION"

BROADBAND NETWORKS CRITICAL FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC VIABILITY

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:45:20 -0500

Some rural communities are moving faster than larger suburbs in trying to plan and build new network infrastructure. It’s a matter of economic survival.

October was a month to attend both the national Rural Telecon Conference (RTC) in Springfield, Ill. and the Illinois Municipal League (IML) conference in Chicago to get some perspectives on the importance of broadband connectivity as it relates to regional sustainability. Both had panel discussions that addressed network infrastructures as a critical component for the future viability of municipalities as well as local economic regions.

Continue reading "BROADBAND NETWORKS CRITICAL FOR REGIONAL ECONOMIC VIABILITY"

WIMAX WORLD REVIEW

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 09:30:12 -0500

WiMAX will be a big alternative to big cities especially after the “free” Wi-Fi business model has fizzled.

Attending WiMAX World at Chicago’s McCormick Place last week should have been an eye opener to anyone who attended. There needs to be some big investments in network infrastructure. This can’t be delegated to a third-party service provider offering a “free service,” according to some of the executives who spoke in the panel discussions.

Continue reading "WIMAX WORLD REVIEW"

THE THREE LITTLE PIGS OF BROADBAND

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 16:40:26 -0500

Just like the "Three Little Pigs" arguing about what they should build their houses out of, some of the incumbent phone companies are in a real quandary as to how they should build out their network infrastructure.
Continue reading "THE THREE LITTLE PIGS OF BROADBAND"

WIFI is NOT THE UNIVERSAL SOLUTION

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:32:34 -0500

Cities that were initially sold on Wi-Fi are now finding out they need more. Wi-Fi was touted as the universal solution for municipalities by many who proclaimed to know everything about everything when it came to network infrastructures.

Continue reading "WIFI is NOT THE UNIVERSAL SOLUTION"

EMERGENCY OPERATION PLANS: IS YOURS CURRENT?

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 14:39:47 -0500

In a post-Katrina municipal environment, you would think states, counties and municipalities would be more attuned to being prepared. It doesn’t matter what type of disaster hits you.

It’s likely your municipality, county and state isn’t adequately prepared. If you looked at the emergency operations plan for New Orleans, you’d see that it wasn’t updated for five years before Katrina hit. In fact, it was last revised in Jan. 2000.

Continue reading "EMERGENCY OPERATION PLANS: IS YOURS CURRENT?"

DIGITAL DIVIDE IS THE WRONG BATTLECRY

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 30 May 2007 16:45:42 -0500

Beating the drum for a socialistic platitude on the use of the country's network infrastructure may be considered noble in some circles, but it does not capture the true essence of the total importance of having an infrastructure that can support and sustain economic development. Forget the “Digital Divide” and view our lack of infrastructure providing true broadband connectivity as a “Digital Desert” that affects every level of the economic strata.

Continue reading "DIGITAL DIVIDE IS THE WRONG BATTLECRY"

DAMN THE INCUMBENTS. FULL SPEED AHEAD

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:13:53 -0600

Wake up and smell the fiber. Craving speed and creating the best is very American and we are not behaving like Americans, writes James Carlini.

Continue reading "DAMN THE INCUMBENTS. FULL SPEED AHEAD"

CHICAGO 911 CENTER - IS IT SAFE?

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 25 Oct 2006 17:06:03 -0500

Even though Chicago has gone through some high visibility drills with evacuations of downtown, is it really prepared for an emergency, from a first responders’ standpoint? The answer is yes when you talk to the leaders and spokespeople for emergency services, but has anyone talked to the people handling the phones? What are their confidence levels? Those are the people you would probably talk to first before seeing the rushing police officer or fireman because they’re the key people who connect the victims with the help they need.

Continue reading "CHICAGO 911 CENTER - IS IT SAFE?"

TANDEM NETWORKS RELIABILITY, REDUNDANCY AND COMPETITOR RESISTANCE

nospam@example.com (James Carlini) — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 17:24:57 -0500

Building a better network infrastructure should be everyone’s concern. Why do we still have obstructionists?

Making network infrastructure more reliable since Sept. 11, 2001 should be everyone’s goal whether you’re part of the government, a network carrier or a business with mission-critical network needs. This endeavor should transcend any petty competitive issue. Having the best network infrastructure globally is a matter of national defense as well as strategic national economic development.

Continue reading "TANDEM NETWORKS RELIABILITY, REDUNDANCY AND COMPETITOR RESISTANCE"