RuMBA\'s 1st Member Meeting, CTIA April 2009

1. RuMBA USAMember MeetingCTIA Las Vegas, April 2nd 2009 THE RURAL MOBILE BROADBAND ALLIANCE

2. Agenda RuMBA Momentum Why RuMBA? Why Mobile Broadband? What is the Economic Case? RuMBA and the 2009 Recovery and Reinvestment Act RuMBA USA American Broadband Bill of Rights What the Government is Saying: Update on CTIA Breakfast Roundtable April 1st RuMBA Proposed Structure Plans of Action

4. Meetings/dialogs with RCA, OPASTCO, RTG

5. RuMBA comments at NTIA first public meeting and first roundtable in D.C.

7. Professional networking and some deals already happening on the site

8. Press releases pick-up: Reuters, Fox Business, Des Moines Register, ComputerWorld…

9. HELP IS NEEDED TO TAKE RUMBA TO THE NEXT LEVEL

10. IT IS TIME TO CREATE A MORE FORMAL PLAN OF ACTION WITH: FORMAL GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE A MEMBER OUTREACH AND BENEFIT PLAN

12. Data will outstrip current network capacity and by 2013 75 percent of subscribers will be mobile broadband users

13. Rural locations lag behind urban areas for mobile broadband connectivity

14. Americans have the right to equal treatment regardless of their location

16. RuMBA wants the Broadband Bill of Rights to help the government, carriers, equipment makers, service providers and rural America focus the current debate on some basic standards outlined in the “American Broadband Bill of Rights.”

17. One voice is needed to help Americans get the best of the best for rural areas, leading to a ubiquitous, safe, mobile, affordable and sustainable broadband service environment.

19. Let’s not depend on old ways of doing business, Mobile Broadband is the best option to make networks easily upgradable, easily installed, at more affordable prices

20. Equalizes served, un-served and underserved areas

21. A group consensus, through RuMBA, more likely to catch the attention of the Federal government and State officials

22. Innovation means doing things better, and inclusion of essential E-911 Locations Services and EAS/Weather Alerts is forward-looking

23. FCC elaborating National Broadband Plan, RuMBA’s vision is important in shaping Broadband Policies

25. One estimate states that $10 Billion invested in broadband deployment would lead to 498,000 permanent jobs in new and existing businesses*

26. Workforce will build networks, and associated business growth

27. Rural residents will buy technology, handhelds, sign up for service

28. Productivity of Americans in rural areas to increase, new enterprises spawned

29. Telecommuting will become more widespread – influx of capital to rural area

30. Telemedicine will reach all corners of US

31. Education access will be more widespread, with students doing better in school, not struggling with dial-up

32. Many other social/economic benefits…

33. NATIONAL SENSE OF URGENCY: US is 17th in the world for broadband access* Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Washington DC

34. RuMBA USAAmerican Broadband Bill of Rights

35. What is the Federal Gov. Saying? Abroadband inventory map will be created ($350m dollars slated) Lobbyists not welcome to get involved in process, may submit public comments as everyone else to be posted on Government sites Objectives – un-served/underserved – education, healthcare (telemedicine) libraries, job creation -- consistent with Obama administration’s economic growth plans Commercial entities eligible for grants/loan if can prove project is in the public interest, or in partnership with small disadvantaged businesses and public entities Broadband can improve communications Commercial entities need to put 20% down – RUS, NTIA favor the incumbents or existing recipients of USDA loans and grants; 20% includes existing broadband infrastructure. Commercial entities have to complete the project within 2 years

36. The Federal Government(2) Affordability and number of subscribers to be served, an important consideration in evaluating proposals No minimum speed established, comments sought to NTIA and RUS on this by April 13, 2009 Entities with significant priority: small disadvantaged businesses, public service providers, dealing with socially disadvantaged, but serving important rural communities and businesses States’ usage of Broadband to be assessed (they will be buying the services) - NTIA may consider use of broadband by the State, may allocate certain number of grants for state use

37. RUS and NTIA COMMENTS TO RUS, MOSTLY ON TWO POINTS: What is the appropriate minimum broadband speed? Define areas ‘without sufficient access to high-speed broadband to facilitate rural economic development’ NTIA/RUS have 4 months to define above issues, after April 13 deadline for submission of comments on their sites Proposals have to prove that without the loan, provider would not be able to deploy broadband infrastructure, services NTIA and RUS need to collaborate, example: NTIA = backhaul, towers, RUS ensuring that at least 70% or funds go to rural areas Nothing in the Broadband Reinvestment Act addresses Mobile broadband, just a mention of non-discrimination of networks FCC has until February 2010 to draft National Broadband Policy for the Obama Administration

38. RUS Randy Jenkins RUS – Broadband Field Representative for the US government (he’s one of only two officials that oversee the whole Broadband implementation process, from 1. Applications Submissions; 2. Release of funds 3. Project Completion Funds – 70% - need to be spent in rural areas - the un-served and underserved. Priority given to those that can reach areas previously seen as expensive for broadband deployments– priority not given to either old or new entrants, only to those whose grants’ process was undergoing before stimulus package, or existing grant recipients(How much is going to existing providers? Should be a RuMBA issue to investigate) Previous borrowers of Title II have to demonstrate that all projects can be fully funded, public funds only cover 20%, ie.Grant recipients have to demonstrate that projects can be completed in 2 years. Cannot duplicate – same project submits application to NTIA and RUS, but can be same applicant but different projects or areas in need of funding to complete project, for example in two different States.

39. The FCC’s Role FCC official, James (Jim) Schlichting – acting Chief for FCC Wireless Telecom Bureau: New administration’s policy on lobbyists: they have to make all comments open – all comments will appear on the FCC Website – have to indentify themselves as lobbyists

40. FCC (2) FCC is looking to answer questions, such as: What principles should apply to non-discrimination – the Stimulus Act did not stipulate that FCC has to work with NTIA but they are listening and consulting with each other on special issues and activities By Feb 2010 there should be a comprehensive National Broadband Policy for the US – evaluating where the country stands; where we are now; how to ensure every citizen of the US has its broadband needs met… wireline and wireless non discriminating attention paid to both

41. RuMBA Proposed Structure Administration & Member Relations Operations Marketing & Campaign Operations

42. Organizational Plan of Action Create core charter, incorporate, strategic plan and 2009/2010 Budget Create core working experts groups/group leaders: Technology/Government/Industry/Consumer Sign up high level government, industry, community leaders, and network of academics and professionals to join RuMBA and participate in expert working groups Offer companies sponsorship at future RuMBA events Provide a package of sponsor benefits Invite all ruralTelcosto join RuMBA and conduct seminars at rural telco events PR, Marketing, Outreach, Calendar of Activities

43. Personal Plans of Action Sign up for a working experts group Attend or send representatives/alternates to future RuMBA events Sponsor RuMBA events Invite all your Linkedin/Plaxo/other contacts to join… export CVS files and RuMBA can invite Actively add to the blog – your input is all important

45. luisahandem@rumbausa.com