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