First Nations ISP’s

First Nations Technology Council – February 2012

The business decision Revenue and costs

Operating a network ISP responsibilities Support and Maintenance Rules and regulations

Technology decisions

Deciding to be an ISP

Estimating Subscriber Revenues Number of homes, businesses # of users at school, health center, Band

Office, …

What percentage will subscribe? 30 – 70% of homes Most businesses and band facilities

The Business Decision

Monthly charges for Broadband Service Telus: $30 / mo – 1 mbps down, 256k up, 30 GB $36 / mo – 1.5-6 mbps down, 1 mbps up, 150

GB Shaw: $39 / mo – 1 mbps down, 256 kbps up, 30 GB $45 / mo – 10 mbps down, 512 kbps up, 120

GB ABC: $40 / mo – 1 mbps down, 512k up, 10 GB $55 / mo – 2 mbps down, 512k up, 15 GB

+ install charges

The Business Decision

Core Internet Access Authentication, IP Address control, Firewall,…

Optional Services Email, Spam / Virus filters,…

Administration Billing, payments, collections

ISP Services

Help Desk – user support calls Technician for local network Network Monitoring

Equipment, network links, subscriber units,… Bandwidth Management

Assign capacity to users (perhaps depending on time) Measure / manage user traffic

Community skills IT “champion”, community technician, administrator

User SupportMaintenance

Network security and Privacy Network equipment, sensitive data, staff

Acceptable Use Policy Regulatory requirements

CRTC registration / reporting Responsibility for content (copyright, illegal use)

Governance How does the network fit in with your views on

self-determination, territorial rights, control

ISP Responsibilities

Community gateway (PoP) Capacity vs affordability Configuration and monitoring

“Last Mile” network Wireless, Cable TV, ADSL, Fibre Existing infrastructure, access to poles, cost,

speed Community ownership

Technology

Business case, capacity in community Responsibilities, technology In-house or contract Keep the $ in the community, or pay someone

else? Capacity development opportunity Community IT plan – applications and skills Management and control of a critical resource

The ISP Decision

First Nations Technology Council fntc.info

Resources and tools

First Nations BC Portal Fnbc.info

Hans DeBruyn hdebruyn@gmail.com

Help and Resources