Background information about your community
|
| Population (2008): |
30307 |
| Populated area in square miles: |
8 |
| Please describe how the population is distributed: |
The population in the Interstate Corridor is distributed similarly to the rest of Portland, 3,900 people per square mile (2000 census). This area is one of Portland’s most ethnically diverse areas, with the added element of a growing arts and business community, and increased density. Primarily single family residences and apartments. |
| Median household income ($ per annum): |
45043 |
| Number of housing units: |
12592 |
| Number of single family homes: |
6408 |
| Number of multi-family homes: |
5036 |
| Number of apartment complexes: |
6107 |
| Average number of units per apartment complex |
30 |
| Number of gated communities: |
0 |
| Average number of housing units per gated community: |
0 |
| Approximate percentage of households in entire community with access to broadband Internet service (%): |
100 |
| Approximate percentage of households in entire community that are currently subscribing to broadband Internet service
(%): |
80 |
| Terrain: |
|
| Overall description of terrain: |
The Interstate Corridor is primarily flat with few natural features; elevation up to 300 feet; bisected by Interstate 5. Portions reach to the Swan Island industrial sanctuary and to Portland’s Delta area. Utility plant is aerial. Area boundaries are adaptable to maximize population and cost effectiveness for a residential broadband build. |
| Percentage of plains (%): |
99 |
| Percentage of rolling hills (%): |
0 |
| Percentage of mountains (%): |
0 |
| Percentage other terrain (%): |
1 |
| Climate: |
|
| Average annual highest temperature (°F): |
62 |
| Average annual temperature (°F): |
54 |
| Average annual lowest temperature (°F): |
45 |
| Average amount of snowfall per year (inches): |
6 |
| Average amount of rainfall per year (inches): |
43 |
| Average amount of hurricane or tornado activity in a year (days): |
0 |
| Local government: |
|
| Form of local government (city, town, county, etc.): |
Form of local government: Municipal corporation, Commission form (5 City Council members, including the Mayor), organized under laws of State of Oregon |
| Local government rule: |
Home rule |
| Source of government decision making (city manager, city council, mayor, etc.): |
All Council members, including the Mayor, are voting members of the Portland City Council and have oversight authority over certain City bureaus, allocated by the Mayor, under Portland’s Commission form of government. |
| Please list largest utilities and the approximate percentage of the community covered by each provider: |
| Provider name |
Coverage |
| Pacific Power & Light |
60 |
| Northwest Natural Gas |
100 |
| City Water Bureau |
100 |
| City Sewer (aka Environmental Services) |
100 |
| Comcast |
100 |
| Qwest |
98 |
| Local economy mix (if available): |
| Number of high tech jobs: |
1489 |
| Number of manufacturing jobs: |
1380 |
| Number of education services jobs: |
2630 |
| Number of other service sector jobs: |
803 |
| Colleges and universities (List names and average number of students enrolled at each, if available): |
- Portland Community College (Cascade campus) - 26,383
- University of Portland - 3700
|
| Major hospitals/health care facilities (List names): |
|
Current providers of high speed Internet service (Company; DSL, Cable modem, wireless, fiber,
etc.): |
DOMINANT HIGH SPEED PROVIDERS:
- Comcast
- Qwest
- Clear
- DirecTV Internet
- Dish Network Internet
- Verizon Wireless
- AT&T Wireless
- T-Mobile
- Sprint
- Qwest (reseller of Verizon Wireless)
- Nextel
- Cricket Cellular
OTHERS:
- Easystreet Online Services
- Integra Telecom
- Infinity
- DSL only
- Spirit One Internet Services
- SpireTech
- Portland Internetworks
|
| Other significant features of your community that could be relevant for this project: |
Portland is determined to have open access broadband that reaches 100% of Portlanders.
- Portland leads the U.S. in percentage of small businesses. Within Multnomah County 76% of businesses have 10 employees or less. Many are home-based and telecommuting is encouraged. Portlanders like working at home, over Wi-Fi in coffee shops, or in co-working spaces. We understand affordable, available, abundant connectivity is critical for everyone.
- Portland is a high technology city, and the Head Quarters for open source technology. Linux founder Linus Torvalds lives in Portland. Ward Cunningham, the inventor of the wiki also lives in Portland. Intel Research is located at Jones Farm in Hillsboro, OR. Portland’s current and past infrastructure is defined by roads, rivers and ports. Portland’s future opportunity will be defined by our digital infrastructure.
- Portland is the U.S. city most committed to green tech and sustainable living. In 1993 Portland was the first to adopt a plan for global warming. While national emissions have continued to rise, Portland’s per capita emissions have fallen 14%. Portland has the most per capita LEED certified buildings. Portland has built a comprehensive public transit system. Nine Portlanders telecommute for every one who commutes by light rail.
- Network technology is a key to sustainability. Gigabit fiber will enable a whole new fabric of services to link Portland to the world. Portland already serves as a test site city for sensor nets, advanced geolocation services and telemedicine. And OHSU’s visionary tele-medicine plan recently received a $22 million grant in start-up funding.
- Finally, Portland is a community committed to life-long learning. We are a city of many educational institutions, exceptional libraries and great bookstores.
|
Collaborating on a Google fiber trial
|
| Are you, the local government, willing to appoint an individual to serve as a single point of contact? |
Yes |
| If so, please describe the responsibilities and authority that this individual will have: |
Cable Communications Director David Olson is the single point of contact in connection with any follow-up questions regarding anything Google might need in the way of information or to start work immediately within the City. Mr. Olson has authority, on behalf of the City Council, to coordinate City and community interactions with Google, to obtain promptly whatever information Google may require, and to resolve any problems that may arise as quickly and effectively as possible. |
| Describe any current or planned programs in your community to accelerate and expand adoption and use of broadband Internet access: |
The number of City services, including GIS, video streaming, leadership training & public safety alerts, continue to increase.
Our Open Data Initiative improves transparency and enables application designers to use City data. Neighborhood pages support maps, plans, oral histories. Cultural diversity is supported through http://www.interculturalorganizing.org.
We generate $1 million annually here just for community technology grants. We aggressively pursue all opportunities, including federal BTOP grants, to increase technology access for all. The Free Geek program is one example of how Portland supports and promotes broadband access for all.
Portland Public Schools enables families to electronically monitor children’s progress. Students already get online homework help and collaborate on class projects. Other initiatives include building out wireless "clouds", developing Telepresence, Web-based grade book access & curriculum management.
|
| Additional reasons why you believe that Google should select your community for this project: |
No city in the USA is as ready as Portland to launch a citywide or scaled test bed for ultra high speed open platform broadband. Portland has the history, broad community support, willing businesses, committed local government, and cost-effective, year-round construction metrics. We are poised to take immediate steps to collaborate with Google on a visionary ultra high-speed broadband project in any agreeable scale from 50,000 to 500,000. We have:
- The right policies. Portland was the first government in the nation to endorse “open access” requirement to then-emerging broadband Internet platforms (December1998); we were the first: Open Source” city (September 2009) to place open source software on a level playing field with proprietary software in all procurement decisions; we are proud to be an international hub for “open-source” software.
- The right history. Since1998, Portland has actively & consistently sought to catalyze construction of competitive, high speed open platform broadband networks through initiatives including a Broadband RFI (1999), municipal Wi-Fi, multiple planning phases toward launch of a Portland Community Fiber Network, and recent Council direction to develop an RFP seeking an FTTP network;
- The right community. Portland has documented community enthusiasm, need, interest and demand for an open ultra-high-speed broadband system precisely such as Google proposes. Portland has a unique creative community and numerous local businesses standing ready to enthusiastically utilize Google’s visionary platform;
- The right partnership. Portland is committed to collaborate and maximize Google’s investment in order to pioneer creative applications (known and unknown), advance educational opportunities, create jobs, and bridge the digital divide;
- The right infrastructure. Portland utility plant is largely aerial (up to 80%) - “we’re ladder ready” and able to offer Google the substantial cost benefits associated with year round construction availability (due to our mild weather). We also have a skilled construction workforce ready to go.
- A visionary partnership. We understand the amazing power of opportunity 1 gbps presents. Our creative nucleus coupled with Google’s vision can create a partnership to advance technology in a manner the likes of which has never been seen before.
|
| Please provide a web link to any additional information you wish us to consider. Submissions using Google Maps or YouTube are encouraged: |
http://www.portlandheartsgoogle.com |
Your community's support
|
| Have you performed any outreach, study, or analysis regarding support in your community for this type of trial? |
Yes |
| Describe how you ascertained or plan to ascertain the level of community support for this project (e.g., surveys, public hearings, meetings
with community groups, etc.): |
Portland has broad support for high speed broadband across many communities.
- 2009- Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission reconfirms significant levels of community support for initiatives like Google’s. “Your Voice – Our Communications Technology”.
- 2007 - PDX Community Fiber Network - staff report defines requirements for high speed FTTH networks, applications, and implementation.
- 2007 - PDX Community Fiber Network 2 - Business Case survey finds broad community support for high speed, low cost broadband & more provider choice.
- 2005 - PDX Community Fiber Network I - Feasibility Study shows high take rate for open access broadband with capital needs minimized by city’s aerial plant, enabling strong debt coverage & positive cash flow.
|
| Please describe your community's level of support for this project: |
The Internet is as important to Portlanders as water, power and paved streets. Creative & tech communities here make us a living lab for innovation and sustainability.
Years ago amateur radio groups here erected antennas on Mt. Hood for community use. The City Council was first in the nation to support open access broadband in 1998. Local activists in 2000 began the Personal Telco Project http://www.personaltelco.net, which now supports 2500 free wireless access points. Community demand for open, affordable broadband created and fuels nearly 15 years of initiatives here, including laying fiber wherever we can & mapping fiber runs to every home.
Google’s RFI has already re-ignited ad hoc groups, videos, and expanded community presence online.
|
| Please briefly summarize any additional comments or suggestions you would like to make to Google on behalf of your community: |
- Fast & inexpensive to build - Portland utility plant is largely aerial, 2/3rds of the City is relatively flat terrain, and everything is in place to ensure a successful buildout;
- Year round construction – Portland’s mild climate ensures year-round construction availability;
- Strong demand from business and residents – Portland has the demographics Google needs for success, an extraordinary high tech and creative community, and a high degree of pent-up demand from both businesses and residents;
- Excellent, documented business case for success – Portland’s prior feasibility and case studies all show a strong business case here, incorporating factors such as high Internet penetration, favorable demographics & geography; modest capital requirements; cost-effective construction; and high demand, all indicating strong debt coverage & positive cash flow even with substantial risk factors included.
|
Facilities and resources
|
| Please identify the entities, including units of the local government, that own or control utility poles in
your community: |
| Entity name: |
Portland General Electric |
| Number of poles owned or controlled: |
1500 |
| Annual rate per pole for pole attachment: |
| by telecommunications carriers ($): |
11 |
by cable system operators ($):
|
11 |
| by Internet access providers ($): |
11 |
| Entity name: |
Pacific Power & Light |
| Number of poles owned or controlled: |
1000 |
| Annual rate per pole for pole attachment: |
| by telecommunications carriers ($): |
11 |
| by cable system operators ($): |
11 |
| by Internet access providers ($): |
11 |
| Entity name: |
Qwest |
| Number of poles owned or controlled: |
1600 |
| Annual rate per pole for pole attachment: |
| by telecommunications carriers ($): |
11 |
| by cable system operators ($): |
11 |
| by Internet access providers ($): |
11 |
| If the local government will make its own poles available for attachments by Google, please estimate the
number of days to complete the following steps, assuming full cooperation from Google: |
| Negotiation of a master pole attachment agreement: |
35 |
| Issuance of permits for individual attachments: |
2 |
| Developing specifications for make-ready work: |
7 |
| Completing make ready work: |
14 |
| If a unit of your local government has access to poles owned or controlled by third parties that it could
make available to Google, please provide the following information: |
| Number of poles: |
4100 |
| Entity or entities that own or control the poles: |
Portland General Electric, Pacific Power & Light, Qwest and City of Portland. |
| Rate that you would charge Google ($) per pole per year: |
11 |
| Describe any restrictions on your right to make such poles available to Google: |
The City of Portland owns only a small fraction of utility poles in Portland, but we would be willing to discuss any situation where Google needed such access. |
| Please identify any state or local laws, ordinances, rules, or other legal measures that govern access and rates for attachment: |
The Oregon Public Utility Commission governs pole attachment rates (see Oregon Administrative Rule 860-028-0110 at:
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/rules/number_index.html). Such rates average $12-$15 per year |
| Please identify the entities, including units of local government, that own or control utility conduits in
your community: |
| Entity name: |
PGE |
| Linear feet of conduit owned or controlled: |
125156 |
| Annual rate per foot for conduit use: |
| by telecommunications carriers ($): |
5 |
| by cable system operators ($): |
5 |
| by Internet access providers ($): |
5 |
| Entity name: |
Qwest |
| Linear feet of conduit owned or controlled: |
43965 |
| Annual rate per foot for conduit use: |
| by telecommunications carriers ($): |
5 |
| by cable system operators ($): |
5 |
| by Internet access providers ($): |
5 |
| Entity name: |
City of Portland |
| Linear feet of conduit owned or controlled: |
10950 |
| Annual rate per foot for conduit use: |
| by telecommunications carriers ($): |
3 |
| by cable system operators ($): |
3 |
| by Internet access providers ($): |
3 |
| If the local government will make its own conduits available for use by Google, please estimate the number
of days to complete the following steps, assuming full cooperation from Google: |
| Negotiation of a master conduit agreement: |
30 |
| Issuance of permits: |
1 |
| If a unit of your local government has access to conduit owned or controlled by third parties that it could
make available to Google, please provide the following information: |
| Linear feet: |
10950 |
| Entity or entities that own or control the conduit: |
PGE, Qwest, and City of Portland |
| Rate that you would charge Google ($) per linear foot per year: |
3 |
| Describe any restrictions on your right to make such conduit available to Google: |
Although there are a variety of franchise arrangements in place, the City would willingly work with Google to address any situation where third party conduit is necessary. |
| Please identify local laws, ordinances, rules, or other legal measures that govern access rights and rates for conduit use: |
Although there are a variety of franchise arrangements in place, the City would willingly work with Google to address any situation where third party conduit is necessary. |
| Does your local government directly control and administer the use of all public rights of way within its jurisdiction?
Describe any other entities that control and administer the use of the public rights of way in your community: |
The City controls 97% PROW. The City directly controls about 97% of the public rights-of-way. The Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT) owns the freeways and some of the old US highway system in Portland. ODOT does not charge any fees. Bonds & insurance need to be provided. Usually 2 weeks to process a typical permit request. Bridge crossing permits may take a bit longer. |
| With respect to your processes for managing access to public rights-of-way, please estimate the number of
days to complete the following steps, assuming full cooperation from Google: |
| Negotiation, approval, and issuance of a master right-of-way agreement: |
0 |
| Issuance of construction permits: |
7 |
| Post-construction inspections and approvals: |
1 |
| Please indicate the amount or method of calculating all fees and charges for use of the public rights-of-way,
including the following (if applicable): |
| Application fee |
variable |
| Linear foot (or other) usage fees: |
per foot |
| Inspection fees: |
Cost based |
| Other fees or charges: |
Revenue based |
| Community sensitivities and policies: |
| Please describe any historical districts or other culturally or environmentally sensitive areas: |
This is not applicable as there are no processes, permits or fees to use RoW in such areas. |
| Please describe your undergrounding plans and policies, if any: |
Portland is predominately aerial utility plant. There are 5 relatively small undergrounding districts (see Code Title 17.60). |
| Please identify unique ordinances, rules, policy statements, and other legal measures specific to your community that Google would have
to comply in developing a fiber project: |
Transportation’s permit fee is $2.93 per linear underground foot, including laterals and building entries. The permit fee for precast vaults from the pre-approved list starts at $909 per vault. Turnaround time for the applications is 5-7 days. The fees above include all application and inspection fees. There are no fees for aerial plant. |
Construction methods
|
| Your community has worked with, studied, or evaluated the following types of construction methods for fiber to the home networks: |
Aerial, Trenching, Boring, Micro-trenching, Plow, Rock saw, Other |
| Approved methods of construction for your community: |
Aerial, Trenching, Boring, Micro-trenching, Plow, Rock saw, Other |
| Are there other construction methods that are approved for use in construction of fiber to the home or other telecommunications networks in your community? |
The City of Portland allows all of the methods above subject to compliance with Portland’s Construction Standards. |
Regulatory issues
|
| Please describe the local regulatory obligations that would apply to Google if this project went forward in your community: |
Competitive telecommunications providers have a free hand in structuring their services, e.g. a short-form licensing regime at the OPUC and a consistent and pro-competitive franchising and permitting process at the City of Portland. |
| Please describe local business obligations and taxes/fees, if any, that would apply to Google if this project went forward in your community: |
Business License Fees assessed based on 2.2 % of net revenues within the City. Users of public Rights of Way generally pay a linear foot fee or a % of gross revenues (up to 5%) depending on the PROW rights sought to be obtained. |
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