[NNagain] nn back in the news

[Jack Haverty]

IMHO, educating politicians and regulators is difficult but necessary.   
Latency is an important and overlooked component of "broadband service", 
not included in the definition of such "service".  But there are others 
that might also catch their attention.

I live in an area in California where wildfires are an issue.  My 
location officially has broadband service, according to the FCC 
databases.  I get IP through cable, provided by Comcast.   The IP{ 
service is fast and latency hasn't been an issue for me.

The government (state, local, and federal) have all spent a lot of money 
and effort to put technology in place to  mitigate the risks of wildfire 
and other such natural risks, to help keep the public safe.  That's 
their job.  We have sensors and cameras that spot smoke columns or 
seismic events.  We have apps and communications channels that spread 
the word fast, so that people can get out of harm's way.  The Internet 
has made quite a difference by providing the infrastructure to make such 
safety mechanisms possible.  (See app.watchduty.org for an example)

The local electric utility has also implemented mechanisms to avoid 
causing wildfires.  When it's dry and windy, and therefore the risks of 
a falling tree limb starting a fire are high, they simply shut off the 
power to the area.  When the risk is over, they turn power back on.  It 
might be a day or two, but while the risks are high, a fire won't be 
started by the electric grid.  Many people have installed generators to 
keep essential things going in their homes.   The electric utility is 
even offering subsidies for people to buy such equipment.

However...

Comcast relies on the electric grid for power.  Some areas have 
equipment with backup battery power, but that only works for an hour or 
two.  After that, communications shuts down - in my neighborhood that 
means telephone, TV, and Internet all cease to work.   All of the 
information from those sensors, cameras, and emergency service agencies 
doesn't get to us, the public it's supposed to help.

Despite that behavior, officially the database says we have broadband 
service available.  It of course is available, most of the time.  It 
turns off when you need it the most.

Thinking techologically for a bit, the problem is a lot like Latency.  
Latency is not specified in the definition of "broadband service".   
Neither is "Reliability".

I've filed a "challenge" to my own database entry, pointing out that we 
don't actually have reliable broadband service.  Even if, over a month 
or so, the service is 99.xxx% "up", that's not much help if it's down 
when you actually need it the most.   The definition of "reliable" needs 
to be revised.

I don't expect any action from my challenge as just a lone voice in the 
crowd.

Perhaps educating the politicians and regulators about reliability would 
grab some attention.  It might be a bit easier to understand than just 
"latency".

Jack Haverty
Nevada City, CA

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