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Somerville And Washington Maine Begin Fiber Network Construction
The towns of Somerville and Washington Maine have kickstarted their long-percolating efforts to deliver fiber broadband to both long-neglected rural municipalities. Local officials say that the municipalities’ partner, Axiom Technologies, has begun construction on a dual-town fiber deployment funded by state and federal grants.
Blueprints for BEAD: Use the FCC Map to Spot Trouble Areas for BEAD Challenges
One refrain we’ve heard over and over from those in states that have already completed the BEAD challenge process: despite NTIA’s best efforts, it's complicated and hard. The FCC map can step in to help out.
Los Alamos County Edges Closer To Unveiling Planned Open Access Fiber Network
Los Alamos County New Mexico is getting closer to unveiling its finished plan for a county-wide open access fiber network. The effort, should it be approved by county officials in the next few months, should dramatically improve local competition and broadband access quality for the county’s 19,419 residents.
New York State Is Trying To Make It Easier For Municipal Broadband To Succeed
A New York legislator this month introduced new legislation he says would make it easier than ever for New York state municipal broadband projects to thrive. State Senator Jeremy Cooney of Rochester has introduced the Broadband Deployment Assistance Act of 2024 (S9134), which would streamline the permitting process for municipal broadband projects.
Building For Digital Equity 'Pathways To Affordability' Reprise
In case you missed our second Building for Digital Equity (#B4DE) livestream of the year, focused "Pathways To Affordable Connectivity" in the absence of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the replay of the entire event is now available, as are the speakers' slides.
Vermont CUD Maple Broadband Moving Quickly To Expand Access
The locally owned not-for-profit municipal operation Maple Broadband has completed the first phase of its broadband network and is busy on an expansion. The CUD says it has completed the first phase of its network; laying 143.5 miles of fiber and passing 1,647 homes and businesses in portions of the Vermont towns of Cornwall, Orwell, Shoreham, Whiting, Salisbury, and Middlebury.
Blueprints for BEAD: Stakeholders May Use Rebuttal Power to Prevent New Errors in BEAD Maps
By mid June, we will have blown past the halfway mark in the BEAD challenge process - with more than thirty states having completed their “challenge windows” and another handful set to close imminently. But the “challenge window” is only part of the overall challenge process, and there are reasons for communities to stay engaged with the process even after that window closes. Communities - don’t sleep on the rebuttal window!
Houston, Missouri’s Municipal Fiber Network Revs Up City’s Economic Development Engine With Big City Connectivity
In the Show Me State, the City of Houston is nearing completion of its municipal fiber network. City officials say its "been one of the best things to come in recent years.” And while the city’s two-man operation is still in its infancy, getting to this point was no small task.
Event: How to Build a Public Broadband Network
Tune in June 11 for the third and final installment of a new webinar series aimed at local government leaders thinking about building publicly owned networks. Hosted by the American Association for Public Broadband (AAPB) and the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society - both veteran organizations in this space - the event aims to unpack key considerations in the building and operation of community-owned networks.
New Report: Neighborly Networks - Vermont's Approach to Community Broadband
In partnership with the Benton Institute for Broadband and Society, today ILSR releases a new report examining how the state of Vermont is supercharging its telecommunications infrastructure efforts to reach the unconnected by investing in community broadband-driven efforts.
Destination Crenshaw Breathes Life Into 'Open Air Museum' and Emerging ‘Digital Equity Zone’
How Destination Crenshaw is transforming the Crenshaw District in South Central Los Angeles into an "open air museum" embedded within a “Digital Equity Zone.” The initiative includes "pocket parks," murals, free community WiFi, and a proposed open-access fiber network.
Yellow Springs, Ohio Eyes Next Steps After Successful Fiber Trial
Yellow Springs, Ohio recently launched a fiber pilot project currently being used by 100 local homes and businesses. While Yellow Springs hasn’t yet determined its next steps, city officials say they considering some type of public-private partnership with Altafiber.