Wired West to Incorporate Next Week
Very good news continues to come from Wired West. From a press release:
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
News
Ubiquitous Internet: A Boy and His Bot
Our mantra is that communities need fast, affordable, and reliable access to the Internet. We imply universal access, but another key word should be ubiquitous. As new applications are integrated into our modern life, particularly those related to health care, dead zones could actually endanger our health!
Comcast: Internet Access is Temporarily a Civil Right
You can now read this post at Huffington Post also.
Community Radio Video
Before communities were building broadband networks, many had local radio stations. Now most radio stations are owned by massive companies far from the community -- but this is a key moment for expanding local, low-power radio. Watch this video to learn more and how you can help.
Layton and Centerville Start Seeing UTOPIA Benefits
When the UTOPIA network buildout stalled in 2007, some communities were left entirely unserved by a network they helped to create.
Encouraging Community Networks in Chino Hills, California
Chino Hills, California, knows what is like to need broadband - back in 2004 they had to poke and prod Verizon and Adelphia into offering broadband services in their town. Some of the folks from that effort are interested in exploring the idea of a community-owned broadband network.
Don't Sell the Public Airwaves to the Highest Corporate Bidder
During the recent budget negotiations, one plan called for taking valuable wireless spectrum that is intended to be used as a commons and auctioning it off the massive corporations to monopolize.
CED Magazine: Broadband is a Lifeline Service
Hats off to a column published by CED Magazine this week, written by Editor-in-Chief Brian Santo.
Ford Foundation Annual Report Promotes Publicly Owned Networks
The Ford Foundation has recognized the important contribution of publicly owned broadband networks to improving affordable, reliable, and fast access to the Internet in communities throughout the US.
PSA for Government Haters
An excellent satirical look at those who believe government is the root of all problems. Modern society has many problems that cannot be solved by individuals acting autonomously -- we need to work together to solve them. "Government" is one of the key entities we use to work together to solve problems.
The Proper Role of Government in Broadband
I was just reminded of an excellent presentation given by Andrea Casselton back on October 17, 2007, after the Saint Paul Broadband Advisory Committee developed this report. Unfortunately, the city of Saint Paul has not followed through on the fine recommendations of the Committee.
Christopher Mitchell on PK's In the Know Podcast
Public Knowledge recently had me as a guest on their "In the Know" weekly podcast. Our interview is the last half of the show. The videos we reference in the discussion are embedded below.
Tethering, Verizon, and the Problem with Public Interest Requirements
When Verizon won an auction to use the 700MHz band of the spectrum to deliver mobile broadband, it promised to adhere to a set of openness rules that included allowing customers to use applications and devices of their choosing.
Craig Settles Launches Gigabit Nation
Craig Settles has announced a new weekly audio show, Gigabit Nation, that will streamed across the Internet as well as available for on-demand listening. The first show is on Wednesday, July 27, at 14:00 EDT featuring Chattanooga's EPBFi FTTH community network.
Tullahoma Community Fiber Network Brings Jobs to Tennessee
Tullahoma's LightTUBe FTTH network, owned and operated by the Tullahoma Utilities Board, has attracted J2 Software Solutions to locate its headquarters in town [PDF].
Oregon Town To Build Open Access Fiber Network Complement to Wireless Network
Sandy, a growing community of about 10,000 outside Portland in Oregon, is now building a FTTH network to expand on their successes offering city-run wireless broadband in 2003.
AT&T CEO Admits DSL is Obsolete
In a Q&A following a speech at the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, AT&T CEO Randal Stephenson candidly called DSL obsolete.
Maryland County Builds Wireless Network on Fiber Stimulus Project
Harford County, in northeast Maryland, is planning to bond for an $8 million wireless network to service local government, public safety, education, health care, and both commercial and residential needs.
The Real Impact of the AT&T&T-Mobile Merger Isn't Funny
But that doesn't mean we can't use humor to illustrate the very serious impact of more consolidation in the mobile market! Check out four short commercials prepared by Free Press and vote on your favorite. Our favorites are below.
Preserve Unlicensed Spectrum - White Spaces At Risk
If the future is wireless, we have to preserve unlicensed spaces. To explain: most wireless stuff uses licensed spectrum - where only a single entity has permission from the FCC to use a specific wavelength of spectrum.