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TaskForceCommentary'The Watch Master endorses a two-pronged Task Force approach that could deal systematically with telecommunications issues in the NWA Region. However, the lack of a well-defined plan and concept for either the Task Force or the Network has raised several "red flags" regarding how a Task Force (or the Network) would function within the framework of the proposed Cox agreement. Basically, we see nothing in the "agreement" that couldn't be done without it. Conceptually and legally, there appear to be few reasons to tie Fayetteville's long-standing local franchise negotiations with the formation of a Regional Telecommunications Network that would focus on Cox Cable, alone. It seems unlikely that the longer-term development of the more broadly-based Task Force and the Regional Network could be fitted easily within Fayetteville's long-standing, local franchise negotiations with Cox, so as to benefit the City. (Telecommunications planning and design are not listed in the City current priorities, nor were they addressed in at the Council Retreat or planning sessions.) Obviously, Fayetteville's franchise, and the franchises of other regional cities and counties, would require oversight by differing technological, legal, and political entities -- which remain unspecified in the proposed Cox agreement. Importantly, many telecommunications providers other than Cox Cable would have key roles to play a comprehensive networking the Region. Thus, TelecomWatch want to be on record as a supporter of separate, but complementary and parallel, approaches that would : 1.) provide all City resources necessary to finalize Fayetteville's local franchise negotiations, and 2.) facilitate the planning and design of a NWA regional telecommunications network. The joint regional Task Force might also have two central thrusts: charting, coordinating, and helping with all appropriate regional (city and county) telecommunications franchises, while simultaneously providing the expertise for the overall planning and design of a network that would include Cox Cable, as well as other telecommunications providers.' (See also letters from NATOAProfessionals?.) |