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Members of the ISP-Wireless discussion list find that regulations covering so-called "Cat-5" cable may give wireless providers a provisioning advantage.

[November 12, 2002]

On the ISP-Wireless discussion list in October, KS asked:

"I just got off the phone after talking to the building codes division. It's a long story, but the bottom line is that they are telling me that we need a 'limited energy journeyman' in order to run Cat-5 or any 'non-utility' owned communication systems or data processing systems. It takes two years as an apprentice to become a limited energy journeyman. Anyone ever heard of this before?"

[GG said] "Yes. You need to be a licensed something to run wires in Oregon."

[JH advised] "The State of Washington requires this as well. We have the licenses. Plan on $1,500 for the initial bond and expenses and another $500 a year thereafter."

[KS said] "I wish we could just pay the bond or license and go—it's the 3,500 hours of on-the-job time that I don't have!"

[JH said] "Fortunately, when they implemented licensing here they grandfathered everyone."

[MK said] "I'd like to point out that this rule in Oregon is widely ignored. I do not know of a single computer store that has a licensed individual to string their Cat-5 for them. Doesn't mean they don't enforce it; it just means that enforcement is apparently a bit spotty. Probably most likely to be an issue where there's a strong union that might file complaints and get you in trouble."

[GG replied] "You may be right. I wish the rule were changed to loosen things up. But the state of Oregon has contracts with independent private investigators that get monthly stipends and are always on the look out for work done with out a permit and license.

Last year the local electrical inspector got a guy who was running a low voltage wire for a cash register terminal at a 7-11 with out an Oregon License and fined the guy and the company he worked for. Fines are $1,000 for no permit, $1,000 for no license, and $1,000 for not getting the work inspected. The guy gets a 1,000 fine for working without a license. This guy and his company only had to pay half the fines because it was a first offense."

[MK replied] "Wow, great reason to install wireless networking! 'Hey, I'll install this stuff for cheap and do it now. Or, you can wait for a licensed contractor to run this wire through the wall.' Works for me!"

—End