KNNU 970 AM RADIO INTERVIEW: TOM REIMAN
KNNU 970 AM| January 22, 2008 | Report by Tom DuHain
Q: What does the Broadband Group specialize in?
Tom Reiman (TR): We believe that communities, new or existing, should play a critically important role in defining the requirements for broadband connectivity. We focus on creating partnerships between broadband service providers and consumers and businesses to create a Technology Master Plan™ that very specifically defines information, entertainment, education, health care and enterprise services.
While telecommunications companies are skilled and experienced in building the physical network, defining how that network most appropriately meets community needs is a key focus of our firm. We like to think we reverse traditional telecommunications planning by challenging competitive broadband service providers to build networks a community defines as meeting needs of today as well as the future.
Today we are not only planning the broadband future for Coyote Springs here in Las Vegas, but we work throughout the nation to empower communities and businesses through these important partnerships.
Q: How important is connectivity in planning a community?
TR: First, I think it is not only in planning a community but in managing one.
Even as recently as a few years ago, phone and cable companies simply secured access to a community and built networks. Today connectivity is often the most vital resource possible in economic development, new jobs, and community productivity. We have a new competitive telecommunications landscape in our communities and our firm helps cities and developments maximize the scale of that competition by defining how we live and how broadband can compliment these lifestyle choices.
Q: How do the added connectivity features play in marketing a home or a community?
TR: In representing more than 1 million new homes and numerous cities we have found that connectivity increases community awareness, improves regional economic development programs and in some cases, actually increases the value of homes and offices. It may be an overused term, but if we really do live in an “information age,” creating a community that has world-class information infrastructure ensures a great place to live, work and play. We have seen housing markets improve significantly with good broadband planning.
Q: What advances in technology apply not only to large developments but can be used in a small business setting.
TR: It’s all about going the next step in using broadband connections. In even the smallest business, world-class broadband infrastructure can be used to create video teleconferencing from even a single desktop, or efficient use of energy to save dollars and manage limited environmental resources. You don’t need a million square feet to have efficient life safety, energy management or security systems in place.
Broadband used and defined by consumers, is empowering.