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South Bend Redevelopment Commission <br />Regular Meeting —June 28, 2011 <br />this non - tax - paying entity over tax - paying <br />companies like Comcast and AT &T for connection <br />to the Internet. He fears that Comcast or AT &T <br />may leave South Bend,,taking their fees with them. <br />Mr. Varner thinks there is a place for Metronet, but <br />when it starts to compete with the private sector, <br />their place should be limited. <br />Mr. Varner noted that the survey proposal does not <br />mention the additional cost of the infrastructure if <br />the study shows the system would be successful. <br />Mr. Gilot explained that the cost of the radios is <br />about $2,500 each, installed. The city won't know <br />until the study is complete how many radios are <br />needed or who will pay for the radios. <br />Mr. Gilot noted that the Metronet is about <br />connectivity. It is vendor neutral. It does not <br />provide end services. Metronet is not competing <br />with any of the other telecommunication <br />companies. If AT &T or any other service provider <br />wants to use these radios, they may. That is what <br />is meant by "vendor neutral high -speed <br />connectivity." Metronet is the enabler not the <br />service deliverer. <br />Ms. Mary Jan Hedman, Executive Director of the <br />St. Joe Valley Metronet, said that Metronet has <br />done a good job of helping local businesses retain <br />and become more competitive on a regional, <br />national, international basis because we've lowered <br />their cost of connectivity. Metronet has allowed <br />new businesses to grow. <br />Ms. Hedman noted that in terms of the cost of the <br />infrastructure, we anticipate that is a cost that <br />Metronet will pick up. The cost for the three <br />locations in the pilot, downtown South Bend being <br />the fourth, will cost the Metronet $46,000. The <br />downtown cost will be $22,000. <br />Mr. Varner asked what the revenues are for <br />7 <br />