Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
video
Content tagged with "video"
iProvo Decision Spurs Civic Discussion
Jesse Harris, of the excellent Free UTOPIA blog, gave a presentation explaining broadband network concepts and definitions without technical jargon. He also offered a history and recent events update about iProvo in a special meeting. If you want to learn more about the group sponsoring the event, this is apparently the best place to check in.
iProvo was a muni fiber network that was hobbled by the Comcast and Qwest-controlled Utah Legislature. After years of struggling in the face of unique barriers only aimed at publicly owned networks, the local government decided to privatize the network. Unfortunately, the private partner has not succeeded either, leaving Provo with a difficult decision ahead.
Jesse explains some of the history in this short presentation and then takes some excellent questions from the audience. Those of us familiar with different types of broadband technology may skip ahead to the part specifically about iProvo.
Well done, Jesse.
Understanding Fiber-to-the-Home Video For Anyone
Thanks to the Fibre Evolution Blog for alerting us to a slick, short video that explains why FTTH is superior to alternatives when it comes to accessing the Internet. The video was produced the FTTH Council of Europe and is meant for a very general audience. Enjoy.
Video Showing Importance of Fast, Affordable Broadband to Wisconsin Governments
Another video from the Building Community Capacity through Broadband project (hosted by the University of Wisconsin Extension service) takes a look at how local governments use broadband and the importance of high capacity, reliable connections that they can actually afford.
This video is no longer available.Rachel Maddow: Public Investment in Broadband is Important
The idea here behind spreading broadband to America`s rural areas is the same one behind the rural electrification program from the 1930s. The idea that even if it`s not profitable for private industry to extend the basics of modern economic life, electric light then and the Internet now, even if it`s never going to be profitable to some private company to extend those things to every last home down every long dirt road in America, it is worth it to America, worth it to us, that everybody has access to those things. That we`re all plugged in. It is the right kind of jobs investment for the country to put people to work laying those lines and connecting those Americans to the grid and it is the right things to do for the rural parts of the country so that people and businesses in every part of the country can compete economically.Extremely glad to see Rachel devoting time to this important issue.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Publicly Owned Network in Wisconsin Creates Taxpayer Savings
More Testimonials for Chattanooga Community Fiber
Chattanooga Creates Subscriber Testimonials for City Owned Broadband
Pasha Coffee & Tea On Why They Switched To EPB from EPB Fiber Optics on Vimeo.
4G Wireless for Rural America? Not Nearly Good Enough
The 4G offered by major wireless carriers (with the notable exception of Sprint) is a waste of money because it comes with strict data caps. These data caps actively discourage the types of activities that 4G enables. Activities that are made possible by 4G, such as watching movies or uploading video to the internet, are made impossible by the data caps. As a result most users will avoid taking advantage of these new services out of fear of incurring large overage fees. That makes capped 4G little more than a bait and switch, like being sold a handful of magic beans.I have been disturbed by statements from a number of policymakers and elected officials suggesting they believe the future of connectivity in rural America is wireless, specifically 4G because it is better than the horrible DSL that is mostly the only "broadband" connection available in much of rural America. President Obama has suggested that investing in 4G wireless will spur economic development in northern Michigan. Not hardly. What are small businesses going to use the last 29 days of the month after they exceed their data caps? People in Wired West have told me that those in charge of broadband in Massachusetts have at times been dismissive of their project to bring affordable, fast, and reliable broadband to everyone in their towns because the state would prefer to pretend that cheaper wireless solutions will accomplish the same goal. 4G wireless is not the solution to connecting rural America. It could be an interim solution while we build real broadband out to those areas, but it is insufficient as a solution in and of itself due to the many very real limitations of the technology and the business model of those controlling the spectrum necessary to access to it.
AT&T&T Merger and DOJ: What is Happening?
More Details from the Incredible Santa Monica City Net
Arizona Avenue, the Mid-City area and the city's office district will all be getting makeovers if the City Council approves two contracts that will connect 40 signalized intersections to City Hall's centralized traffic control system. The work represents the fourth phase in a five-phase effort to connect all of Santa Monica's intersections using fiber optic cables.