News

Chattanooga Announces 1 Gbps Tier

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 13, 2010

Chattanooga has announced a new level of service, offering 1Gbps to all subscribers in a unique citywide offering. Chattanooga previously led the nation with a 150Mbps tier. Today has been crazy, and lots is being written about this announcement, so I'll highlight stories and saving adding something interesting until later.

Speed Tests and Broadband Performance

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 10, 2010

In a light cap to a light-posting week, I wanted to note a post from Fiberevolution regarding speed tests.

Local Control Means Less Reliance on an Ineffective Federal Communications Commission

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 8, 2010

Confused about the inability of the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the massive telecom and broadband carriers? You are not alone.

Dalton's OptiLink Community Network Draws Praise

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 6, 2010

OptiLink, the community fiber network in Dalton, Georgia, has been chosen by local newspaper readers as the Best Internet Provider in 2010 - the third year in a row.

Private Sector Broadband Providers are Anti-Competition

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 5, 2010

We previously covered Qwest's admitted attempts to drive out competition in Utah, but the story has continued with the personal story of another subscriber forced to leave his independent service provider for

Camino Fiber Network Cooperative Seeks Funding

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 4, 2010

A brief update from the Camino Fiber Network Cooperative of El Dorado County in California - the Sacramento Bee ran an article earlier this summer covering the coop's approach to expanding broadband (though they

Chattanooga Takes Broadband to the Sticks

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 2, 2010

Last week I had the good fortune of spending 24 hours in Chattanooga to get a better sense of what the community is doing with their impressive broadband network, EPBFi. It was pretty amazing, especially for an outdoorsy-kinda-guy like me. Chattanooga has an impressive air about it, a place on the up-swing.

Sibley County Discusses Rural Fiber-to-the-Farm

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 1, 2010

Last night, I drove down to Winthrop (Sibley County) and then Fairfax (Renville County) to get a better sense of their discussions around next-generation broadband networks (originally covered here).

Canada Joins Rest of World With Open Access Requirement

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 31, 2010

Last year, when the Berkman Study (pdf) by Harvard (commissioned by the FCC) revealed the secret behind impressive broadband gains in nearly every country over the past decade, we hoped the FCC would learn something from it.

Salisbury's Fibrant Plans Beta Test, Senator Hoyle Admits Time Warner Wrote Bill to Stop It

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 30, 2010

A local news story from WCNC in North Carolina has caught national attention among some tech news sites. As reported by WCNC, Fibrant will start beta testing its community fiber network next month (which answers a question we have been wondering -- just what is happening down there?).

UTOPIA Gets Broadband Stimulus Award, Positive Op-Ed

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 25, 2010

The open access UTOPIA network in Utah has been awarded broadband stimulus funds that will allow the network to serve hundreds of community institutions in several communities, which will aid them in the continuing last-mile rollout.

The grant was awarded to begin connecting nearly 400 schools, libraries, medical an

Comcastic Contracts and Communication

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 24, 2010

I really try to focus on the many good things communities are doing rather than the many bad things done by massive companies like Comcast.

Cedar Falls Utilities Expands Broadband to Unserved Areas

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 23, 2010

A community-owned network, infused with broadband stimulus dollars, is bringing broadband to people stuck on long-distance dial-up for Internet access. Cedar Falls Utilities, which recently announced an upgrade to FTTH from HFC, announced more good news last week: they have received an

Looking for Fast Broadband Networks? The South has a Few

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 20, 2010

I wrote a short piece for Tech Journal South, "Fastest and cheapest US broadband systems are city run in the South." In it, I discuss some of leading broadband networks in the country - publicly owned systems in southern and southeastern states.

Minnesota Will Stand for Network Neutrality

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 18, 2010

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

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 17, 2010

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

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 14, 2010

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

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 12, 2010

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

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 11, 2010

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.

Seattle Will Take Year to Study Community Fiber Network

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 10, 2010

After Seattle's new Mayor campaigned on a community fiber network and consulted with both Lafayette and Tacoma on how to build it, it will now spe