1. Report on Activities from Dane County Broadband Coordinator
Jaron McCallum, Dane County Broadband Coordinator presented on what he has been
working on since starting.
OUTREACH TO COMMUNITIES
Has been to town and village meetings and has met with several people in
communities.
Went to Towns Association meeting.
When doing outreach, stresses importance of broadband, why people should care, lack
of regulation in broadband industry, as well as economics of situation (how providers
decide to expand to different areas), what current providers are in the area, what
funding opportunities exist. Inquire about what community has done to try to improve
broadband.
Moved AECOM Report Status to beginning of the meeting
Staff have been working with AECOM to produce final copy of report. Final edits are
expected to be delivered to Planning by November 6th.
OUTREACH TO ISP'S
Have talked with approximately 20 ISP’s since starting.
Have met with ISP’s both proactively and have been contacted by some as well to
meet.
Ratcliff inquired if the visits with ISP have been well received, and Jaron indicated that
they have.
McGinnity inquired about the number of Towns that Jaron met with, Jaron estimated 10,
but has had communication with a majority.
Weil inquired if the topic of interacting with ISP’s and towns have come up. Jaron
indicated that most ISP’s are willing to talk with communities that are interested. Weil
noted that if conversations are going to be had with ISP’s, the questions should be
asked as to why some ISP’s are not interested in meeting with communities.
Have had conversations with Alliant Energy, and where the AECOM report fits in.
Wipperfurth left at 9:21am
Glazer asked about more detail regarding Alliant Energy.
Jaron indicated that they are open to some synergies if they do not need to do any
route changes. His impression is that it is more limited than he originally thought when
going in. They also spoke about the challenges of negotiating with an ISP to tap into
their infrastructure.
Glazer asked if Jaron had the sense that it’s an infrastructure problem. Jaron indicated
they’ve put fiber where it makes sense from a business standpoint, but they’re not an
ISP.
Glazer inquired if the county could play a role bridging the gap between ISP’s and
Alliant. Jaron indicated that it could be a potential role.
Ratcliff inquired if Alliant could play a role similar to MUFN, Jaron indicated they are not
really in that kind of a business.
Glazer asked if there is a sense that there are other private providers that may be
interested in something similar to Alliant Energy. Jaron indicated there may be more to
discuss middle mile.
PSC BEAD PROPOSAL
Jaron and Task Force leadership provided input as to how the PSC will establish
community anchor institutions for funding. Comments submitted include bringing
opportunities into alignment, funding mechanisms, increase state challenge process
timeline. The comments are public and available to see.
The PSC is meeting on Friday, 11/3, and the BEAD proposal is on their agenda.
PSC CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND
Talking with ISP’s and municipalities to get application in by November 7. Have worked
with one municipality to get an application to be submitted.
