Notes from IMA meeting on the topic of phone/internet service. 

Posted on: October 8th, 2023

Notes from IMA meeting on the topic of phone/internet service. 

Sept 22nd 2023

Attendees from IMA, Four Mile Fire, Gold Hill Town Meeting, Boulder County Communications, Nederland, Rep from Neguse’s office

Main points:

  • ODM/BCSO has nothing to do with CL wrt our individual home internet/phone issues. They only interface with CL wrt 911 service.
  • Service issues include: 
  • Slow and intermittent service. 
  • Known recurring trouble. Moisture in connection boxes. Service outages each rain or snow event.Shallow buried lines that repeatedly break. Old lines with several splices.
  • Data speed much lower than paid for service level.
  • No refunds for said service drop.
  • Area outages affecting ten or more homes
  • No 911 service and no notification to 911 service centers of outage.
  • C-Link frequently does not know there is a widespread outage. 
  • No evacuation notice will be coming.
  • No service available even when C-Link lines are in the immediate area.
  • Lickskillet and Lefthand area is an example. Lines run up both roads. But no new service is being allowed. Steve Silbermann told us that ODM put 911 lines in there a couple of years ago.
  • Services being promised at a “high speed” when the band width does not exist.
  • Nederland seeking a large Broadband infrastructure expansion. 
  •           Seeking grants
    • Has a vendor willing to add fiber optics connecting the I-70 corridor to Gilpin and on into Nederland.

    • Issues with maps indicating already have good service (when that is not the case) so some grants wont work.

    • The Congressman office might be able to help.

    • IMA will try to host a meeting with Neguse’s office, Commissioners, Nederland to explore options of expanding the Nederland project. 

      • Host a meeting with IMA, NED, Claire Levy, 

  • Back up system and associated needs

    • HAM operators make a good back up for communities.

      • Remote areas will need more individual operators

      • HAM classes are available. Next one is Nov. 4-5 at the Gold Hill School. To register contact Dan Maedke at ghtownmeeting@nullgmail.com

      • Possible community radio grants

    • Sky Link or other satellite based carriers.

      • Costs and duplication. 

      • Maybe school or fire depts could be 911 outgoing centers.

        •  
  • Social issues raised

    • Many health and human services require online registration.

    • Some services like mobility transportation require the passenger and or the driver to access the internet. 

  • What’s next?

    • Meet with primary stakeholders to determine broadband development opportunities.

      • What partners are needed

        • Will Maverick Broadband assist?

        • Can we have them assist?

        • Do we want their service?

      • Service issues survey. What and how to collect?

        • Does the fire dist’s. Need to be the ones to collect data to make is “Official”?

      • What grants are available.

        • Time lines

        • Monetary Match

We are very fortunate that Chief Bret Gibson will be continuing to lead this IMA effort.

Pam Sherman, IMA

pamsher123@nullgmail.com