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Minnesota Will Stand for Network Neutrality
Update: You can watch a recording of the event here.
In anticipation of the FCC discussion on Thursday night in Minneapolis (details here), I have a
The State of Broadband - InfoWeek Notes Impressive Muni Networks in Chattanooga and Lafayette
Jonathan Feldman's "The State of Broadband," in a July Information Week cover story, is a breath of fresh air. Too often, these articles are written by someone with little background who extrapolates after discussions with the PR wing of several big companies.
Presentation and Panel Discussion about Community Broadband
Craig Settles kicks off this event with a 45 minute presentation discussing what community networks should do to succeed financially and how they can go beyond simply making broadband access available to more people.
Opelika Votes Yes, Will Build Smart-Grid Fiber Network
Despite a coordinated campaign by cable incumbent Charter that offered little honest debate or accurate claims, the citizens of Opelika voted yes on their referendum to allow the city to build a broadband network.
FCC Hearing in Minneapolis on Thursday, August 19
If you can, come on out to influence public policy. The future of the Internet is indeed at stake - with massive corporations spending millions in a power grab for the future of the Internet. Take a few hours to show up and tell the FCC we want the Internet to be open to everyone. We'll be there to tell the FCC to ensure all communities have the right to build the network they need.
Network Neutrality: Google, Verizon, and Us
A few thoughts on the Google-Verizon talks and behind closed doors FCC stakeholder meetings with industry...
First, neither the FCC nor Google is likely to defend the interests of the vast majority of u
Opelika Considers Smart Grid Network, Charter and Others Misinform Public
Opelika, Alabama, is home of some 27,000 people and a public power utility called Opelika Power and Light.
In Illinois, Highland's Network Moves Forward
Highland Communications Services will soon be the newest community-owned FTTH network. It is on schedule to start offering services to businesses in September and some residences in October.
WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi Show Covers Broadband
On July 27, WAMU's Kojo Nnamdi show discussed broadband. They read a comment from me noting the successes of two community networks.
Sascha Meinrath on Building Your Own Network
A short video of Sascha Meinrath discussing the power of community networks, the need for broadband competition, and why the National Broadband Plan misses the mark.
This video is no longer available.Lafayette to Kick Off Advertising Efforts
John at Lafayette Pro Fiber posted about an upcoming Lafayette TV ad. Apparently, this is an advance copy. It emphasizes the ways in which LUS differs from privately owned networks. Community networks, no matter how technically superior to incumbent offerings, must have an outreach or advertising strategy.
Publicly Owned Fiber Connects Hollywood Studios
We've previously noted the successes of the Santa Monica approach to leasing dark fiber, but a new article reveals that Los Angeles, Burbank, and Anaheim also lease city-owned fiber assets.
In fact, Burbank generates substantial net income for its general
UTOPIA Confronts Critics, Continues New Strategy
More towns in Utah are deciding whether to support UTOPIA's new plan to expand the network and recover from the significant errors of the first managers.
ECFiber Launches Pilot Project
The East Central Vermont Fiber Network is launching a pilot project to start connecting rural customers with a FTTH network. EC Fiber has long labored to find funding -- it was one of many projects to see funding avenues disappear with the economic collapse following the fall of Lehman Brothers.
Christopher Mitchell Discusses Broadband on MN This Week
A few weeks ago, I joined Curtis Beckmann, host of "Minnesota This Week" on Radio City Networks to discuss broadband networks and what communities are doing to improve access to real broadband. The 30 minute program discusses problems with existing broadband networks, the lack of competition, how and why communities have built their own networks, and a variety of other topical subjects.
Broadband Competition is Pathetic, But Even That is Too Much For Qwest
A Qwest sales person admits on tape that Qwest is trying to eliminate competition by purging the network of independent ISPs. Listen to the conversation here.
Customer: "Qwest is trying to eliminate competition?"
Customer Service Rep: "In a way."
PC World Writer: We Need a Public Option for Broadband
Last month, Mark Sullivan wrote a column expounding on the obvious: deregulation of broadband service providers has failed to produce the promised competition, Americans pay more for less than peers in other countries, and this is an area where smart government policy would benefit everyone.
When it
Star Tribune Editorializes About Importance of Broadband, Community Ownership Option
Today's Star Tribune editorializes about the importance of broadband and calls on the state to reduce the 65% referendum barrier that prevents a number of communities from building the network infrastructure they need.
More Resources for Community Networks
As more and more of America confronts the reality that communities need better broadband networks -- networks that respond to their needs first rather than the desires of shareholders in some absentee company -- we are seeing more resources for communities determined to preserve their self-determination.
As one who has deep misgivings about Facebook increasingly being a mediator of conte