CBG Communications, Inc. (“CBG”) with offices in Saint Paul, MN and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has established a national reputation in telecommunications, cable television and technology matters. CBG has a proven record of accomplishment in providing consulting services for public sector entities that produce effective results. CBG’s principal consultant, Tom Robinson, has had his work published, and he is a frequent speaker at regional and national NATOA (National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors) Conferences. Specifically, Tom has been a guest speaker at NATOA Annual Conferences on the subjects of wireless services, telecommunications planning, communications technology and institutional networks (I-Net). Tom has also spoken at NATOA seminars on the subjects of past performance compliance review and community and local government video, voice and data applications of broadband communications networks. In addition, Tom has been a guest speaker at the National League of Cities' seminars on local government issues emanating from the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and the relationship between telecommunications infrastructure and economic development.
CBG has extensive experience in performing a variety of telecommunications, cable television, technology review, assessment, analysis, survey, and other project tasks, negotiating with industry providers, meeting and working with local elected and appointed officials and staff personnel, facilitating the activities of advisory committees (that include both public and private sector representatives) and making presentations to City and County Councils, Commissions and Boards. Additionally, the principals are very knowledgeable about and stay current on governmental issues and regulatory matters.
CBG has the requisite experience in a wide range of broadband, telecommunications, technical, technology and cable television subject areas to effectively assist you with your wireless and wireline broadband system review and planning processes. These areas include:
Wireless Broadband Planning and Development
Assistance with a wide range of planning and development activities specific to wireless infrastructure, including, related broadband network feasibility and community needs assessment studies, wireless applications review and implementation, development of public sector wireless telecommunications infrastructure for a variety of internal and external services, lease charge development for access to public infrastructure, inventories of wireless infrastructure, wireless communications site planning and evaluation, review and analysis of private provider applications, and review of the use of noncommercial AM/FM and television for government emergency information dissemination applications.
Broadband Infrastructure Planning and Development
Assistance with a wide range of network planning and development activities, including, broadband network feasibility and community needs assessment studies, video, voice, and data communications application review and implementation, development of public sector telecommunications infrastructure (including review and analysis of physical transport, architectures, aerial and underground construction methods and locations, etc.), development of local government-owned and common conduit policies and leasing plans, analysis of co-location and co-build requirements and strategies, inventories of telecommunications and other utility infrastructure, review of construction techniques (open street cuts, directional boring, saw-cuts), etc.
Community Needs Assessment
Surveys of subscribers and non-subscribers of telecommunications and cable services, review of organizational needs, facilitation of focus groups, public forums and workshops, goal setting sessions, development of Internet forums, etc
System Infrastructure Technical Review
Evaluation of the current publicly and privately held infrastructure, analysis of upgrade scenarios and plans, review of infrastructure technological components such as digital compression, hybrid fiber coax (HFC) architectures, etc.
Institutional Network (I-Net) Development
Ascertainment of I-Net needs, organizational video, voice and data communications applications, potential system architectures, evaluation of current I-Net, etc.
Telecommunications Planning and Policy Development
Services include review and update of regulatory structures, development of mechanisms to enhance universal access to basic and advanced telecommunications services, expansion of telecommunications service opportunities within the jurisdiction and surrounding region, facilitation of greater electronic access by the public to government, educational and private information and services, expansion and enhancement of e-government, e-commerce, and other Internet-based initiatives, review of privacy and security needs related to such information, review of the jurisdiction as both a user and provider of telecommunications services, development of right-of-way (ROW) management policies, procedures and requirements, development of compensation methods for telecommunications service provider use of the ROW, etc. Assist city councils, telecommunications commissions and telecommunications and cable consortia to develop short-term and long-term telecommunications, broadband and cable infrastructure and service planning, goals, strategies and implementation plans.
Master Telecommunications Ordinance Development
Services include development of provisions regarding the permitting process, licensing, provider registration, ROW management procedures, ROW Ordinance development and revision, construction and inspection requirements, ROW usage fee structures (including the provision of in-kind services), insurance, indemnification and bonding, service definitions and other critical issues.
Telecommunications Regulatory Projects
Development of franchise, license, revocable permit and other forms of operating and ROW use agreements for the provision of cable, telephone, competitive access provider, competitive local exchange carrier and open video system services, review and analysis of both state and federal legislation and legislative initiatives, including assistance with legislator education and advocacy efforts on behalf of public sector interests.
Franchise Renewal-Related Cable Regulatory Processes
Assistance with both the formal and informal processes, evaluation of cable operator proposals, assistance in past performance and franchise compliance reviews, assistance in franchise and ordinance drafting, development of Request for Renewal Proposals (RFRPs), assistance in franchise renewal negotiations, rate regulation, interconnection of cable and municipal broadband systems, etc.