"Olds" is First Gigabit Town in Canada
We introduced you to Olds, Alberta and their community network O-Net in 2012.
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
News
Wilson's Greenlight Getting the Publicity It Deserves
WUNC 91.5, North Carolina Public Radio, recently introduced Greenlight to its audience. We have covered Wilson and Greenlight extensively since 2009. Will Michaels spoke with Will Aycock, high
UC2B Saves Public Money With Better Broadband in Illinois
The City of Champaign is now celebrating the transition to the UC2B fiber network. With underground fiber lines, the City will no longer be plagued by weather related interruptions. Champaign is also counting on significant savings on a network that is more than 1000 times faster than the old connections.
Utah's Xmission Keeps Customer Data Private
We have not wirtten much on the NSA spying scandal but encountered a recent article in the Guardian that our readers can appreciate.
New Hampshire FastRoads to Partner With Sovernet
New Hampshire FastRoads will soon be working with Vermont's Sovernet to bring access to southern New Hampshire.
Coin-Operated Hypocrisy In Action: A Case Study in Monticello
Rant Warning...
Every state has at least one organization, often calling itself a think tank, that is funded by large corporations to advance their narrow interests, often at the expense of local businesses and the larger public.
Many call these "coin operated" think tanks because they take whatever positions their funders want them to take.
In California, Tough Economic Times Led Shafter To Adjust Network Plan
In the 1990s, the community of Shafter, California, began developing its strategic plan; the move would eventually lead them to bui
FCC Prioritizes Incumbent Protection in Data Collection Order
Patrick Lucey of the Open Technology Institute at the New America Foundation, posted this excellent story around the time we published our rant about the FCC's cave-in to industry pressure for no good reason.
Opelika, Alabama On the Verge of Municipal FTTH
We last checked in with Opelika, Alabama, as they began testing their FTTH network in a pilot project. The community previously overcame Charter Cable's campaign of lies and passed a referendum. Voters approved the plan for a $41 million fiber optic communications and smart grid network.
Verizon Caught Forcing Customers to Take Voice Link Service Across New York
The war over keeping copper alive rages on in New York with more stealthy antics from Verizon. Stop the Cap!
FCC Decides Not to Collect Key Data For No Good Reason
The FCC does not have a good sense of what is happening outside DC in terms of broadband availability and data. This has been a conscious choice - it has refused calls (even those made by the FCC itself) to collect useful data that would lead to data-driven policies to encourage the investment we need.
AT&T Lobbying Likely to Increase Wisconsin School, Library Telecom Costs
The University of Wisconsin recently withdrew from its contract with WiscNet, threatening the future of the network.
Winchester, Massachusetts, Defeats Plan for Town and School Technology Fund
Winchester, Massachusetts, recently offered voters the chance to create a special fund earmarked for school and government technology infrastructure. The question came during the special election to fill an empty Senate seat vacated by Secretary of State John Kerry.
Rockbridge Area Network Authority Close to Launch in Virginia
The Rockbridge Area Network Authority (RANA) is almost ready to launch its open access network in north central Virginia, home to about 22,000 people. A recipient of the BTOP stimulus program, the main focus is connecting community anchor institutions and spurring economic development.
To Celebrate Our Independence Day, Let's Reclaim Our Independence
On the day that celebrates our Independence as a nation, I encourage you to consider how we can declare independence as a people from the corruption of our nation, specifically the corruption of a few very powerful people and corporations of our republic.
Larry Lessig offers a perspective below in a popular TED Talk. This is important at the national level.
Evanston, Illinois, to Dabble in Community Owned Connectivity
Evanston, Illinois, home to Northwestern University, has decided to expand its fiber network in a new project to connect residents and businesses in a targeted area.
Consultant Argues Never Used Financing Mechanism Also Won't Work in Palo Alto
I was troubled to see Broadband Communities publish an odd and misleading story about Palo Alto in the May-June issue [pdf].
Knoxville Downtown Wondering 'Where Is All the Broadband?'
Knoxville Metro Pulse reporter Paige Hunton published a story last month about a common complaint from downtown residents and businesses - "Downtown Knoxville's Internet Access Kinda Sucks.
Westminster, Maryland, to Move Forward With Fiber Pilot Projects
Westminster, Maryland, began public consideration for community broadband investment last fall and has now decided to "stick our toe in the water and see how it works." The Carroll County Times