03-04-2004 Council Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ron Moorse - FW: dwest DSL S»rvtce —SRA Membr Butlnest/R —idutil DSL Demand IdentHicaiBon order later thie year. The City of Minnetonka has already gathered some helpful information identifying areas of no DSL service and resident Interest in it If the type of information (described below) can be gathered from each of the 34 SRA cities, the chances of favorable PUC treatment of required DSL investment by Qwest will be enhanced. This of course assumes that sufficient data is obtained and that the data reflect a demand for DSL. If people in your city are Indifferent to DSL (which is clearly limited in availability now) then we will know it is not a matter of priority. Indications are, however, that DSL is a desired technology, especially for businesses. For your information, DSL is an advanced technology allowing high speed internet to the home or business through the telephone tine. It allows one to make calls while online, unlike dial-up service. It Is also much foster than dial-up service. Note that DSL has its competitive alternatives, such as cable internet Business or residential customers who send significant volumes of materials from their sites, however, will find that DSL is superior to cable service. Cable internet service is generally foster than DSL but inferior in the business-related information sending function. As a result businesses located in offices parks/buildings or home-based would tend to prefer DSL. The purpose of this SRA "survey" is to identify availability, needs and interest regarding DSL service. This is a voluntary exercise of course. As you know, SRA member cities are not typically active in carrying out tasks associated with the utility/telecom issues we address. This is an exception to that rule, but one that can be very helpful to all SRA cities that participate. With the technology now available to cities in the Metro Area, we would hope that this type of information gathering could be used for frequently than in the past for the SRA. The timing of this is important The AFOR process before the PUC will continue through the spring and summer. The information sought is most helpful if obtained by the end of spring, i.e. May or earfyJuie. It will allow negotiation and possible information refinement before the proceeding reaches the PUC ifoelf this sumnrrer. If the SRA has credible information regardirrg DSL interest in hand, its chances of a required DSL investment component in any PUC order are enhanced. DSL QUESTIONS The foHowing are possible questions your city can pose to businesses and residents regarding DSL service in your dty. The most effective means of disseminating these questions is up to each city. We believe that Minnetonka effectively utilitized its website in gaining information on DSL availability and interest Your city may have other methods. The line of questioning would be: First a brief description of the purpose of the survey —which we can provide for uniformity purposes. This should include sumetliing abuut DSL so the person understands the subject matter and any other introductory matter that will increase the response and reliability level. 1. V\fere you femiliar with the term "DSL" before reading the brief description above? yes -----no- 2. The location of your home or business is important to this survey because we are identifying locations where DSL is and is not provided by QwesL Please provide the address referenced in your response 3 This address is a ■residence-business--both a residence a la business 4. is DSL service available at this address? yes--notsure •PSgeTj