News

The Fundamentally Unlevel Playing Field in Referendums

on Mar 14, 2010

A recent article from GovPro.com, "Cities make end run around data network obstructions," has a good discussion of why referendums are not a good way of ascertaining community support for a community network:

A 2005 Colorado law bans municipalities from providing any type of advanced teleco

Upcoming National Broadband Plan

Christopher Mitchell

on Mar 13, 2010

From what we have seen of the upcoming broadband plan, it looks to solve very little. Karl Bode explains why the National Broadband Plan will deliver everything but what it is supposed to. Basically, it comes down to an Administration that is unwilling to challenge very powerful private sector interests.

Stimulus Denies Excellent Projects in Idaho

Christopher Mitchell

on Mar 12, 2010

Though I did not spend a lot of time following stimulus proposals, two excellent proposals did catch my eye from Idaho and I hoped that at least one of them would be funded. Alas, neither was funded by NTIA or RUS. These are exactly the networks we need throughout the country, and Idaho is exactly the state that could benefit greatly from federal assistance.

Brigham City Develops Alternative Method to Finance Publicly Owned FTTH

Christopher Mitchell

on Mar 11, 2010

The good folks at Broadband Properties Magazine recently ran an article I wrote about Brigham City's use of a new financing model for FTTH networks.

University of Louisiana on Lafayette Network

Christopher Mitchell

on Mar 5, 2010

Joe Abraham, from the University of Louisiana, recently addressed the LUS Fiber network in Lafayette. This is possibly the fastest and most affordable network in the entire country. Apparently, Joe has been asked by friends if they should switch to the new municipally owned network.

Minnesota Providers Push for Draconian Limits on Public Networks in Minnesota

Christopher Mitchell

on Mar 4, 2010

Minnesota is one of the eighteen states that have enacted specific barriers to prevent the public sector from building networks (protecting incumbents from any competition).

More History on Longmont Fiber Ring in Colorado

Christopher Mitchell

on Mar 1, 2010

The Longmont Times-Call continues its coverage of the community network struggles of a Colorado community.

Oklahoma City Network Offers Unique Research Opportunities

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 28, 2010

Though it may not be a major selling point for communities considering building a network, they can offer tremendous research potential. Local communities are more approachable for researchers and more likely to form mutually beneficial partnerships.

New Hampshire - Fast Roads Open Access Network

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 26, 2010

Folks in New Hampshire are fed up with the private carriers ignoring them and have started an initiative to build their own fiber-optic open access network. Looks like the site is pretty new, so check back for details.

Stimulus - Private Companies Won

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 25, 2010

Last summer, I predicted the NTIA's rules for the broadband stimulus would disadvantage the public sector and tilt the playing field toward the private sector.

Thoughts on the Google Fiber Initiative

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 24, 2010

Readers undoubtedly know that Google has proposed a limited fiber-to-the-home open access network rollout that will offer gigabit speeds.

The Economist Profiles Bristol Virginia Utilites Network

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 23, 2010

In a recent issue, the Economist profiled BVU - the first municipally-owned triple-play fiber-to-the-home network in the U.S. Evidently, the Economist thinks Bristol an unlikely spot to find a full fiber-to-the-home network, but some of the best networks in the U.S.

Lafayette Fiber Network Ahead of Schedule

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 22, 2010

Good news out of Louisiana - the LUS Fiber deployment in Lafayette is running considerably ahead of schedule.

WindomNet to Expand with RUS Grant

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 18, 2010

Finally, a broadband stimulus project that we can get excited about. RUS has announced a grant to expand the publicly owned WindomNet in southwestern Minnesota. Windom was originally built to bring broadband to a small community that Qwest didn't think ready for DSL.

Salisbury FTTH Network to Launch by End of Summer

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 17, 2010

The Salisbury, North Carolina, municipal fiber-to-the-home network is set to start offering services this summer.

Telephony Podcast Interviews Jackson Energy Authority

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 15, 2010

Carol Wilson speaks with Jackson's Michael Johnston about JEA's triple-play network in Tennessee. As far as I can tell, this interview took place in September, 2009. Johnston reports that the publicly owned network passes 30,000 residences and about 5,000 businesses.

Wired Road Plans Expansion, Adds Service Provider

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 12, 2010

The Wired Road, a community-owned open access network in rural Virginia, has added an additional wired service provider and announced expansion plans. This is a network in Grayson and Carroll counties as well as the city of Galax. Services on the Wired Road are provided exclusively by independent service providers, not the network owners.

New Hampshire Bill Would Allow Communities to Build Networks

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 10, 2010

The Design Nine blog alerted me to a bill in New Hampshire that would modify state law to allow communities to build publicly owned networks. It appears they may currently invest in a network in unserved areas -- though few places are entirely unserved.

Chaska.Net Profiled in Local Paper

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 10, 2010

I've often wondered what it would look like if a reporter wrote about a Wi-Fi network without any ideological baggage to slam it. Now you can see - Mollee Francisco wrote a lengthy and fair article for a local paper in Chaska, a suburb of Minneapolis.

Dover, Ohio, Contemplates Publicly Owned Network

Christopher Mitchell

on Feb 9, 2010

Dover, a city of over 12,000 in Eastern Ohio south of Canton, has been considering a publicly owned fiber to the home network for years to complement its water and electric muni utilities.