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Connected Nation Wins Florida Mapping Bid
Despite being twice as expensive as closest alternative
Politicians continue their love affair over Connected Nation, the broadband mapping group that's been accused of being little more than a front-group for the nation's largest carriers, tasked with grabbing government cash in return for glossed-up reports on broadband competition and penetration. Techdirt directs our attention to the fact that Connected Nation won a bid to map broadband in Florida, despite the fact that their bid for mapping was more than double the closest alternative. One of the Judges who gave Connected Nation a huge leg up? Bill Price, the broadband stimulus program manager for the state of Florida, whose previous gig was as vice president for business development for BellSouth Business. Are we learning yet?
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ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Woodstock, CT

ptrowski

Premium Member

It just stinks.....

Your tax dollars at work. Nice job greasing the palm of a shady judge....

Noah Vail
Oh God please no.
Premium Member
join:2004-12-10
SouthAmerica

1 edit

Noah Vail

Premium Member

Bill Price shares his fantabulous list of hoots and homey's

On LinkedIn.
»www.linkedin.com/in/billprice

edit: I know one of my FL State representatives (and his wife) well enough. I sent off an email asking who might be responsible for oversight in this matter. If I learn anything meaningful, I'll post it... somewhere.

NV

Mr Fel
INTJ - The Architect
Premium Member
join:2008-03-17
Louisville, KY

Mr Fel

Premium Member

I think...

This is just the beginning of a row of dominoes. Except this particular row of dominoes is one you don't want to fall over.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

translation?

does this mean Telcos are going to look good in this report (AT&T, Verizon?)
old_wiz_60
join:2005-06-03
Bedford, MA

old_wiz_60

Member

Honest government?

hahahaha

Amazing that the judges are so blatant in their greed for kickbacks. Wonder how much connected nation paid the judges for the contract? 5% of the profits? 10%? Unlimited supply cocaine and hookers? and of course hush money to the people who knew about the kickbacks, assuming they were not simply fed to the sharks.
binded2
join:2009-08-11
Providence, RI

binded2

Member

just as well

they just as well pay the double up front any ways there going to pay for it when it goes over bugget any how

so they just paid double for a service that was half as cheap
most likly as good or better

TAX DOLLARS HARD AT WORK HERE

r81984
Fair and Balanced
Premium Member
join:2001-11-14
Katy, TX

r81984

Premium Member

I still don't get the point...

I still don't get the point as to why our tax dollars will be used to map broadband in this country???

What benefit do we get from mapping broadband?

Also ISPs already have this map data, so why doesn't the government just pass a rule that they have to hand over the data for free?
binded2
join:2009-08-11
Providence, RI

binded2

Member

Re: I still don't get the point...

said by r81984:

I still don't get the point as to why our tax dollars will be used to map broadband in this country???

What benefit do we get from mapping broadband?

Also ISPs already have this map data, so why doesn't the government just pass a rule that they have to hand over the data for free?
because if they did that they would be relying on a bunch of crooks for the info

and no ones hands would get greese and no pockets lined
nasadude
join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD

nasadude to r81984

Member

to r81984
said by r81984:

I still don't get the point as to why our tax dollars will be used to map broadband in this country???
I agree, we should require the existing ISPs to provide the data.
said by r81984:

What benefit do we get from mapping broadband?
There is a law that says the FCC shall do something to improve competition if data shows a non-competitive market. That law has been ignored since it passed, because the FCC uses worthless data to declare "competition is robust! everywhere!". The incumbents love this and don't want the govt or anyone else to be able to prove there is no real competition in 90% of the country.
said by r81984:

Also ISPs already have this map data, so why doesn't the government just pass a rule that they have to hand over the data for free?
because the govt is owned by the companies that don't want this data made public. Connected Nation is the industry shill that will ensure bogus data "proves" competition exists (everywhere!) and allow everyone to pretend things are great

flboy
@Level3.net

flboy

Anon

omg

were soo screwed...

Pullo9
join:2009-06-18
Reading, PA

Pullo9

Member

Pennsylvania has broadband maped

My tax dollars at work,the state of Pennsylvania has this covered.

»www.newpa.com/strengthen ··· dex.aspx

rawgerz
The hell was that?
Premium Member
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA

rawgerz

Premium Member

Re: Pennsylvania has broadband maped

That's pretty cool, not entirely accurate from what I'm seeing here since they don't seem to differentiate from "future" (which is anything but concrete here) and current.
Still, impressive for local gov.
ShellMMG
join:2009-04-16
Grass Lake, MI

ShellMMG

Member

Questions for 2010

I hate the idea of monkeying with the census, but why not add a few questions such as:

1) Do you subscribe to an internet service provider at your primary residence? Yes/No

2) If "Yes," which type of internet provider do you use?

a) FIOS (fiber optic)
b) Cable (copper)
c) DSL/T1
d) Wireless (cell phone, air card)
e) Satellite (Hughesnet, Wildblue, etc.)
f) Dialup
g) Other

3) If you do not subscribe to an internet service at your primary residence, what is the reason?

a) No providers in my area
b) It's too expensive
c) I have internet access at work, school, etc.
d) Not interested

Just a thought and I'm sure it could be worded better, but at least you'd get an honest survey.
Samsonian
join:2007-06-15

Samsonian

Member

Re: Questions for 2010

Seems like a smart idea to me.

Although the Census may already be "set in stone," if you will. I heard a lot of the prep work for it is already done.
iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Austin, TX

iansltx to ShellMMG

Member

to ShellMMG
Nah, solves the problem too easily.
jarthur31
join:2006-04-14
Carlsbad, NM

jarthur31 to ShellMMG

Member

to ShellMMG
You forgot:

2. b) Are you happy with the service provided with regard to the cost?

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

Nothing good will come of this.

They'll spend millions to "map" broadband, then claim the solution is to funnel more tax payer money to the incumbents, and then they'll pronounce everything as "Good" and done.

Read my tagline!

FreedomBuild
Well done is better than well said
Premium Member
join:2004-10-08
Rockford, IL

FreedomBuild

Premium Member

Hellooo...elected officials

View my comment here:
»Connected Nation Takes Inside Track On Minnesota Mapping, Too [9] comments