Four Phases to Achieving a Successful Community Technology Master Plan

Phase One - Pre Development / Discovery

Note: This Phase consists of six sections that TelSystems is usually engaged to perform as a single task.

Overview: The overall goal of this effort is to produce a “Community Technology Discovery Document” that will allow us to set the stage for determination of Service Delivery Options; Network Ownership; Network Design and the Preliminary Budget/Financial Proforma.

1. Community Profile – Gather all information on the development’s plan. Identify the properties intended short and long play definition. Qualify Developers ability to control access to easements which would allow for selective assignment of service providers.

1. Site Plan
   • Location
   • Planning drawings and plot maps
2. Number of Units by Type
   • SFH Lots
   • MDU’s
   • Commercial
   • Community
3. Community Type
   • Residential Only
   • Club Only
   • Resort Only
   • Club / Resort
4. CDD – Partial or Covering the Full Community
5. HOA / POA
   • Single
   • Multiple
6. Easement Control
7. Expected Living Units
8. Expected Price Points
9. Planned Easement and/or Right of Way Control

 

2. Research - Establish, through proper research, an understanding of what is in place from a physical technology platform perspective along with the service providers both franchised or not. Open dialog with short list of providers for opportunities.  

1. Site Facilities / Network
• Site typology / plat
• Planned roadways / access requirements
2. Area Providers
• Tier 1, 2 and 3 if necessary
3. Existing Relationships
4. Existing Area Network
• Copper, Fiber,
• Location
• Controlled by
5. Service Options
• Bundled / un-bundled
6. Regulatory Issues
• State, Local
• CCR and CDD language

 

3. Project Time Line - Determine the site development project time line and incorporate telecommunications and technology infrastructure into it. This will allow for better revenue projections and identify capitalization requirement for the necessary components as the community is built.

1. Establish a Build Out Schedule
• Infrastructure / utility build out schedule
2. Projected Sales
• Model completion
• Construction schedule
3. Provide Phasing Definition
• SFU’s, MDU’s, Community Amenities, Etc.
4. Determine level of effort

 

4. Feasibility Study - Take information gathered to date and set the stage for the capitalization options; business requirements from ordering, engineering, designing, installation, maintenance, customer service, billing and collection. Compile a list of risks and issues along with a recommended strategy.

1. Research the Business Opportunity
2. Document the Business Requirements for Solution
3. Identify all of the Alternative Solutions Available
4. Review each Solution to Determine Feasibility
5. List any Risks and Issues with each Solution
6. Document Prepared Solution for Implementation

 

5. Preliminary Engineering Design and Budgeting - Depending on the stage at which we are introduced into the community development, determine the amount/s required to insure adequate technology capitalization. Explore the options for capitalization and recommend solutions. Provide a Performa that outlines the preferred strategy.

1. Expected Absorption
2. Initial Lot / MDU Mixture
3. Planned Roadways / Access Requirements
4. Effect on Provider Relationship / Revenue
5. Preliminary Engineering
6. Performa and Narrative
• Based upon agreed upon funding participation
• Defined exit strategy and timing
• Ongoing management options
• Outsource / In source

 

6. Community Discovery Document - At the end of previous five steps, we will create a “Community Discovery” document for distribution. Once reviewed, it will lay the groundwork for the projects go forward strategy.

1. Document Content
• Discovery Overview
• Applications & Systems Options
• Vendor / Service Providers
• Regulatory Issues
• Feasibility Study
• Financial Proformas
• Time Line & Scheduling
• Options & Next Steps