You are here

Wireless Internet Access - Response requested by Monday, October 1

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Members of the Federal Bar,

During the October 17, 2007, Federal Practice Committee meeting, the Committee will consider using the Federal Practice fund to pay for wireless Internet access in the Omaha, Lincoln, and North Platte courthouses. If approved, neither the Federal Practice Committee nor the court will pay for computers for attorneys to use inside the courthouses. Instead, attorneys must use their own laptops, or other appliances, such as a blackberry, to connect to the Internet.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has provided the Committee with an estimate to 1) install wireless Internet access, and 2) provide one year of access in the following locations:

Omaha - 9 courtrooms on floors 2, 3, 4 and U.S. Trustee meeting room; Lincoln - 5 courtrooms on floors 4 and 5 and GSA conference room; and North Platte - 1 courtroom on 3rd floor and GSA conference room.

GSA's estimate of $19,715.84 includes installation and one year of service. In addition, GSA estimates $1,350.00 per year for subsequent years of Internet service for each location, totaling $4,050.00 per year. The court cannot use appropriated funds to pay for wireless Internet access for attorneys.

To help the Committee make a good decision, please complete a very short survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=LbltpKTU4AF5wdbjhNIlag_3d_3d
by Monday, October 1. The Committee views the response of the lawyers as a real indicator of the need for this service. If you have any problems accessing or completing the survey, please contact Luta Pleiss at 402.661.7363.

Thank you for your help.

Howard Olsen
Federal Practice Committee Chair
District of Nebraska