News

Muni Projects Lead in Europe

on Sep 17, 2009

Muniwireless.com recently noted "Eastern and Northern Europe driving broadband and FTTH growth." Of particular interest to us is the crucial role of public investments in creating that growth:

Roland Montagne also says that competition has been driving new FTTH/FTTB projects.

Proactive Broadband Communities and NATOA Awards

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 16, 2009

Craig Settles recently wrote "Debunking Myths about Government-Run Broadband" to defend publicly owned networks (the title is unfortunate as many networks are publicly owned but not necessarily run directly by the government).

FCC Creating National Broadband Plan With Plenty of Input from Industry

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 15, 2009

This is a slightly older story, but I wanted to make sure it made the rounds. In "FCC Hires Industry Shill to Develop US National Broadband Plan," OpenLeft.com's Chris Bowers details the shady history of Scott Wallstein, the economics director of the FCC broadband task force. His past

Ranking Broadband Stimulus Applications in Minnesota

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 11, 2009

Our focus on the broadband stimulus is almost entirely on last-mile infrastructure because it is the most challenging and expensive problem to solve before all Americans will have affordable access to the broadband networks they need in the modern era.

Re-Defining Broadband

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 9, 2009

The FCC recently asked for comments about how broadband should be defined. There was a marked difference between those who put community needs first and those who put profits first. Companies like AT&T and Comcast were quick to argue that the FCC should not change the definition of broadband for reasons ranging from too much paperwork to the suggestion that rural people have no need for VoIP.

Longmont, Colorado, Considers Muni Broadband

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 8, 2009

The second line of Rachel Carter's story at TimesCall.com captures the reason we care about community broadband networks:

But others argued that it’s not about whether the city will jump into the cable or Internet business; it’s about giving the city options and giving voters a choice.

Longmont, Colorado, wil

Johnson City, Tennessee, Considers Network

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 4, 2009

Johnson City, Tennessee, is considering the pros and cons of expanding the fiber network its public electrical utility is installing to connect substations in order to improve grid reliability.

Lafayette Plans Faster Growth; US BB Embarrasses; Seattle Needs Volunteers

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 3, 2009

Catching up a variety of recent stories:

An article from the Lafayette Advertiser notes: LUS Fiber plans faster rollout.

Connected Nation Captures Minnesota

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 1, 2009

Minnesota is now in poor company, along with several other states that have chosen to use telecom industry-backed Connected Nation (if unfamiliar with CN, read this report) to supply data from Minnesota to the federal government as part of the national broadband map that is being constructed. Just how this came about explains why a group like

Statewide Video Franchising: Bad for Communities

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 27, 2009

Folks who are mostly interested in broadband are probably unfamiliar with video franchising laws. Many people still apparently believe that cable companies are able to get exclusive franchises from the city (granting them a monopoly on providing cable television). However, that is not true and has not been true for many years.

Community Broadband in July/August Broadband Properties Magazine

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 26, 2009

The July/August issue of Broadband Properties features a number of stories relating to community broadband.

Wireless Problems Due to Technology, not Ownership

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 21, 2009

Opponents of publicly owned broadband networks often hold up examples of wireless networks that did not turn out as planned -- more often than not, they ignorantly use examples of privately owned networks like Earthlink networks in Philly, Houston, or proposed privately owned networks in San Fran and Chicago.

More Short Shots

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 20, 2009

There are so many interesting articles recently (some are actually a bit older than recent, I guess).

Indeed, FCC, Stop Ignoring Muni Broadband!

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 19, 2009

Geoff Daily recently put up "Hey FCC: Stop Ignoring Municipal Broadband!" It is a sentiment I wholeheartedly echo and amplify. If the FCC is going to chart a course for where America is heading, it should start with some communities who are already there - Burlington, VT and Lafayette, LA.

WashPo: Headline Wrong, Story Mostly Correct

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 18, 2009

Cecilia Kang, telecom writer for the Washington Post, recently looked into why major carriers are not applying to the broadband stimulus program. The implication of the title - "Major Carriers Shun Broadband Stimulus: Funds would come with tighter rules" is because of the rules.

National Broadband Plan: Early Outlook is Glum

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 17, 2009

When it comes to the National Broadband Plan that the FCC is tasked with developing, we at muninetworks.org have a red line. No matter what the federal policy, all communities must reserve the right to invest in and own their own networks.

FairPoint unfairly competing with UMaine?

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 14, 2009

FairPoint's lobbyists in Maine have gone on the offensive, arguing that another group attempting to get stimulus funds is competing unfairly. FairPoint, you may remember, has already accomplished the improbable: it took over the dilapidated networks in New England from Verizon and made them worse.

Virginia County Looks to Wilson for Muni Network Inspiration

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 13, 2009

Folks in the Isle of Wight County in Virginia are looking to Wilson, NC, (which runs its own FTTH network called Greenlight) for inspiration as Charter will not expand broadband access locally.

What Can States do?

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 12, 2009

What can states do? Many states want to improve broadband access for their citizens.

Verizon Against the Public Interest

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 10, 2009

In another example of how some private companies continue acting against the public interest, Verizon is again using FiOS as a weapon, threatening not to bring it to a New York town unless the town essentially waives some $12,000 in real estate taxes. Communities maintain what is called the "right-o