Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
Community Broadband Media Roundup - June 25
California
California 'net neutrality' bill must not block state's broadband investment by John Husing, Desert Sun
Internet providers' big money leaves a California net neutrality bill 'eviscerated' by Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times
Colorado
With public support high, Boulder moves to fund citywide fiber buildout through debt by Shay Castle, Boulder Daily Camera
Citing high public support and demand for better, cheaper internet, Boulder's City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to fund through the issuance of debt the $15 million construction of what will become the backbone of a citywide broadband network.
In a survey, the results of which were presented publicly for the first time during Tuesday night's meeting, 90 percent of respondents supported city-owned and -operated internet, and as many said they would be very or somewhat likely to purchase service from the city.
Another surprising result was the share of households — somewhere between 4 percent and 7 percent — with no internet service, due to lack of access or affordability. A staff-provided map showed that most of the under-served areas were in low-income neighborhoods.
Frustrated with your internet service? El Paso County wants to hear from you. by Rachel Riley, Colorado Springs Gazette
Connecticut
Municipalities sue PURA over broadband decision by Matt Pilon, Hartford Business Journal
Florida
Florida City Plans Test of Smart Meters, Eyes Broadband Expansion by Suzie Schottelkotte, The Florida Ledger [Government Technology]
Kansas
Butler Electric Cooperative to offer High Speed Internet by TG News Report, Butler County Times Gazette
Topeka, Shawnee County elected officials to move ahead with trying to acquire high-speed broadband by Tim Hrenchir, Topeka Capital Journal
Michigan
How can we support local business right now? by Kent Wood, Traverse City Record-Eagle
Anyone paying attention has heard about Traverse City Light & Power’s proposal to build and light a high-speed fiber network for its customers. Though it may be the most well-known, it is not the only activity happening to bring next level internet speed to the area.
Cherryland Electric Cooperative is building a fiber backbone for its electric substations and will partner with a local service provider to provide wireless internet service. One problem is the rules and limits on utilities leasing space on their networks. Policymakers can help get these hurdles out of the way to let this investment happen. Let’s not make delivering high-speed internet to rural areas harder than it already is.
Legislation is pending in Lansing that would create a level regulatory framework and fee structure for accessing road right-of-ways around the state for the purposes of communications infrastructure projects. Of course we need to consider safety aspects of the roadway, motorists, pedestrians and utility workers. But we need to also consider the big picture of this transformational time in our economic history.
Minnesota
Broadband listening session offer residents opportunity to share opinions by Anne Kopas, Faribault Daily News
Nevada
Co-op proposes natural gas, broadband service for Spring Creek, Lamoille by Suzanne Featherston, Elko Daily Free Press
New York
Charter has 'abused,' deceived customers by Joe Mahoney, Oneonta Daily Star
NY AG's Suit Against Telecom Provider Over Internet Speeds, Promises to Consumers, Clears Hurdle by Dan M. Clark, New York Law Journal
Ohio
State Lawmakers are in No Hurry to Bridge Ohio's Digital Divide by M.L. Schultze, WKSU
In many rural areas, broadband service remains limited, cost-prohibitive or unavailable altogether. State lawmakers have proposed two bills to change that. But as Statehouse correspondent Jo Ingles reports, the bills appear to be stalled.
There are two Ohios, one with high-speed internet service and the other without. Sen. Joe Schiavoni says when he was running for governor in the Democratic primary, he heard from people who wanted to start or expand businesses in the parts of Ohio that lack reliable broadband service.
Fairlawn expands broadband utility outside city by Rick Armon, Akron Beacon Journal
Washington
Expanding broadband to every corner of Washington topic of Governor’s tour by Fork’s Forum
Wisconsin
Marathon County Wants More High Speed Internet Access by Michael Leischner, WXPR
General
A Total Victory for AT&T: Merger Closes, DOJ Refuses to Appeal by Karl Bode, DSL Reports
The Fastest ISPs of 2018 by Eric Griffith, PC Magazine
Who could beat Google at its own game? Nextlight, that's who. If you don't know Nextlight, that's because you're not in or around Longmont, Colorado—Nextlight is the local gigabit ISP there, run by the local electrical utility. We don't call this a "major" since it's only in one city, but there's no denying small local players like this are the best hope we all have for seeing major gains in connectivity speed. Nextlight's PCMag Speed Index of 278.4 was a clear winner.
City-Owned ISP Captures Title of Fastest in the Nation by Dawn Kawamoto, Government Technology
The best home internet provider in the US is run by local government by Chris Mills, BGR
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Community Broadband Media Roundup - June 8
Iowa
Iowa receives $26.2 million in emergency education relief to expand broadband access, Discover Muscatine
Minnesota
Community Broadband Media Roundup - May 25
Colorado
Little-known Internet network plans Western Colorado expansion to link students, nonprofits to supercomputers by Tamara Chuang, Colorado Sun
Louisiana
Community Broadband Media Roundup - May 18
California
Partnerships can close the digital divide by Apoorva Pasricha & Kevin Frazier, GovTech
Colorado
Community Broadband Media Roundup - May 4
Arizona
Mohave Electric Cooperative moves forward to build fiber optic network in partnership with TWN Communications, Cision PR Newswire
Arkansas