[Davisgig] Rob's Proposal

[Shneor Sherman]

I've read Rob's proposal. My concern is the cost and how it will be repaid. Incidentally, I noticed that there is no rough example of repayment for homeowners. That's a necessity, as the document is incomplete without it. 

Rob's document does not demonstrate any benefits to gigabyte fiber to the home beyond those available now. For example, I can stream content quite comfortably right now at 5 or 6 mbps. What will gigabyte internet provide beyond that? Whatever that may be, it needs to be addressed. What will I be able to do that I previously could not?

The issue of homeowner cost is of supreme importance, since it is homeowners who will have to vote on this. So the cost and benefits need to be specifically spelled out. Given the rising cost of water in Davis, there has to be benefit to fiber that will be very valuable to households, or voters will simply reject any increased cost for living in Davis. Just talking about gigabyte internet to the home is a loser politically.

I am wondering if digging for fiber could be combined with, for example, burying power lines and splitting the cost with PG&E. 

Just a few preliminary thoughts.

Shneor Shermann