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1 Executive Summary <br />1.1 Recommendations and Insights <br />The financial projections indicate that it will be challenging for Saint Anthony <br />Village to provide low-cost essential Internet service while maintaining a posit,ive <br />cash flow. Given this, we recommend that if Saint Anthony Village considers <br />pursuit of a wireless broadband offering, alliances with surrounding communities <br />and communities that have installed wireless networks be sought. In addition <br />consideration of performance contracting' with a private provider may improve the <br />projected cash flows. <br />• Public opinion through surveys conducted in <br />similar communities indicates that wireless high- <br />speed Internet is in demand. <br />o High-speed Internet is quickly becoming <br />an essential service. <br />o High-speed Internet not only offers a <br />choice of data connectivity, it also <br />empowers consumers to' have additional <br />choices for voice and video applications. <br />• The wireless network addresses the spot <br />coverage of high-speed alternatives today, and <br />will allow Saint Anthony Village to -provide <br />affordable wireless Internet access to all its <br />citizens. <br />Today's wireless <br />technologies offer the ability <br />to provide a low-cost, high- <br />speed service that is <br />comparable to DSL and <br />cable modem services. A <br />wireless offering provides <br />the ability to encourage dial- <br />up users to convert to high- <br />speed, offer portability <br />throughout the City of Saint <br />Anthony Village, and <br />provide the desired <br />competition. <br />• The proposed wireless offering addresses affordability concerns for small <br />businesses,2 the businesses that create the majority of new jobs. It will <br />become an important asset for economic development within the <br />community. <br />• The wireless network can be leveraged to promote free markets for <br />innovative entrepreneurs. <br />In addition, seeking grants or support from other city funds will improve cash flow <br />projections. <br />An example is Johnson Controls program for benefit sharing for Automatic Meter Reading <br />(AMR) and other applications in exchange for an investment in the network. <br />The proposed wireless offering is not tailored to larger businesses. <br />1-1 al .i <br />:.. yY.. <br />57 <br />