Thanks Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for the episode 138 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Chris Lewis on Title II and network neutrality. Listen to this episode here.

00:09:

Chris Lewis:  The chairman is finding the sweet spot of having strong consumer protections under the strongest possible legal justification, which is under Title II.  But not going to any extremes by bringing up highly controversial issues, like unbundling or rate regulation.

00:27:

Lisa Gonzalez:  Hello.  This is the Community Broadband Bits Podcast, from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.  I'm Lisa Gonzalez.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has stated that reclassifying Internet service providers as common carriers under Title II is an idea that deserves serious consideration.  President Obama has already publicly stated that he believes new network neutrality rules should include this update.  The issue has been hotly debated lately, with network neutrality advocates often in support of the proposal, and large providers opposed to it.  Large providers are not the only ones who question the wisdom of the policy, for several reasons.  A small number of municipal networks have also expressed concern.

In order to address some of those concerns, Chris decided this week to talk with Chris Lewis, Vice President for Government Affairs for Public Knowledge.  Lewis has worked for the FCC, and has also spent some time working for the U.S. Senate.  He's able to fill in some of the information gaps related to this question of Title II and how it would be implemented.

We bring you the Community Broadband Bits Podcasts, with guests like Chris Lewis, each week, ad-free.  But we could certainly use your support.  We hope you'll consider contributing to our work.  Please go to ilsr.org and click on the orange "donate" button.  And remember, every little bit helps.

Now, here's Chris, interviewing Chris Lewis, from Public Knowledge, about Title II and network neutrality.

01:55:

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for the episode 139 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Alex Deshuk on "dig once" policy and benefits from fiber leases in Mesa, Arizona. Listen to this episode here.

00:08:

Alex Deshuk: The iCloud is now over Mesa.

00:11:

Lisa Gonzalez:  Hello.  This is the Community Broadband Bits Podcast, from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance.  I'm Lisa Gonzalez.

As the community of Mesa, Arizona, began to grow, community leaders recognized that telecommunications would be a key element to its success.  This week, Chris visits with Alex Deshuk, Manager of Technology and Innovation for Mesa.  As you will hear, Mesa used several creative methods to ensure better connectivity.  The community was an early adopter of "dig once" policy, placing conduit whenever streets were excavated for any other infrastructure purpose.  Mesa has also taken advantage of non-traditional existing infrastructure, planting fiber in abandoned conduit that had been used for other utility purposes.  The result is a network of about 150 miles of fiber throughout the community.  The investment has paid off in a number of ways over time and helped the city establish a broadband-friendly environment for economic development.

We bring you the Community Broadband Bits podcast ad-free each week.  But we need your support.  It's easy.  Go to ilsr.org and click on the orange "donate" button.  You can also donate at muninetworks.org from the top menu bar.  Each contribution is appreciated.

Now here are Chris and Alex, discussing the ways Mesa has turned a long-term vision into reality in Arizona.

01:36:

Chris Mitchell:  Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast.  I'm Chris Mitchell.  Today, I'm speaking with Alex Deshuk, the Manager of Technology and Innovation for the city of Mesa, Arizona.  Welcome to the show.

01:50:

Alex Deshuk:  Thank you, Chris.

01:51:

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 108 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Don Ingle on the past and the future of muni fiber in Boulder, Colorado. Listen to this episode here.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 107 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Jeff Wilson on their muni fiber network in Holly Springs, North Carolina. Listen to this episode here.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 106 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Vince Jordan on lessons from Longmont, Colorado. Listen to this episode here.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 105 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast on reflections from the Mountain Connect Rural Broadband Conference. Listen to this episode here.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 104 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Hunter Newby on fiber as real estate with Allied Fiber. Listen to this episode.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 135 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Lev Gonick on OneCommunity Model in northeast Ohio. Listen to this episode here.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 114 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast with Keith Skelton and Danny Keith on the first muni fiber network in Oklahoma. Listen to this episode here.

Thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript for episode 103 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast on the Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC). Listen to this episode here.