Please provide comments to the issue below as part of the 2012 WCB cost model virtual workshop for inclusion in the record. Comments are moderated for conformity to the workshop’s guidelines.
Background
Hybrid Cost Proxy Model: The HCPM is built for a narrow-band network. Network sizing in the HCPM is a matter of ensuring sufficient capacity to handle voice calls and provide appropriate levels of call blocking (e.g., using an Erlang model, which is used in telephony as a measure of offered load or carried load on service-providing elements such as telephone circuits or telephone switching equipment).
CQBAT: The CQBAT model sizes the network according to the digital throughput required at the time of peak usage based on a busy-hour offered load. This method is basically the same approach that was taken in the National Broadband Plan modeling.
Questions for Comment
- The general approach to network sizing taken by the CQBAT model appears to be reasonable (deferring the discussion about what value or values are appropriate until later). Is there any reason to deviate from CQBAT's approach? Are there other ways to properly dimension a network that the Connect America Phase II model should use instead?
Sources
- Federal Communications Commission, The Broadband Availability Gap, Omnibus Broadband Initiative Technical Paper No. 1, 109-114 (2010), http://www.broadband.gov/plan/broadband-working-reports-technical-papers.html (OBI Technical Paper No. 1).