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Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
Wired West Decides on Coop Structure
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Western Massachusetts' Wired West is an exciting approach to bringing next-generation broadband networks to rural areas. Thanks to Design Nine's news blog for alerting me to this decision.
For those unfamiliar with our coverage of Wired West, a two page write-up in Berkshire Trade & Commerce Monthly [pdf] offers a good background:
“You often hear that it is too expensive to bring fiber-optic lines to every home, business and institution in a rural area," said Webb, who lives in the remote southern Berkshire town of Monterey. “But that only means it’s too expensive for the business model of private-sector companies who have to show profitability in a very short period. It is not too too expensive if it is done by the communities themselves on a basis that does not have to meet those market demands."Wired West has announced a decision on the difficult issue of governance structure. They are going to be a public co-operative, comprised of the member towns. Now the member towns will have to approve the structure and the organization will move forward on the planning necessary to develop, finance, and build their broadband network.
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