Community Fiber Is Not Just About the Fiber
The focus on community networks tends to linger on the technology - FTTH is much faster and more reliable than cable or DSL services.
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
News
Being a Gig City: Incubating Small Businesses
This is the first in a series of posts examining a premier Gigabit Community - Wilson, North Carolina.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 85% of all jobs originate from companies with fewer than 30 employees, and 87% of businesses which started through business incubators have succeeded after five years.
March 7th Deadline for Connect America Fund Expressions of Interest
We reported last month on a decision from the FCC to make Connect America funds available to expand broadband. At the time we did not have much detail on the measure, but on January 30th, the FCC released its official statement.
Kansas Community Benefits from Community Owned Networks
Even though the Kansas cable lobby have temporarily retracted their competition-killing telecom bill, we still want to highlight the benefits of preserving full home rule, local authority by focusing on a number of communities, including Chanute, Ottawa, and Erie.
UTOPIA Again Targeted by Bill in State Legislature
Kansas is not the only place where the cable and telecom lobbies are attacking publicly owned networks. Jesse Harris from FreeUtopia.org reports that State Rep.
OnLight Aurora Partners with the City for Better Connectivity in Illinois
Nine years ago, Aurora officials decided it was time to reduce telecommunications costs and upgrade to a faster, more reliable network. The local government built a fiber network to service municipal government, but developed long-term ideas for the network to benefit the entire community.
Cable Industry Dumps Dark Money into DC
The Center for Public Integrity released data last year showing some of the ways big cable companies are distorting our republic by funnelling millions into political groups working to further the interests of massive corporations rat
Baltimore Mayor: You Can't Grow Jobs with Slow Internet
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake sees expanding Internet access as a justice issue and wants to make sure every Baltimore resident benefits from City assets, including fiber optic cables.
Kansas Anti-Competition Bill Authored by Cable Lobbyists
We learned a lot today about the anti-competition bill (SB 304) in Kansas to limit Internet network investments.
Businesses Mount Opposition to Anti-Competition Cable Bill in Kansas
In a very quick turnaround, a number of prominent companies have signed on to a letter opposing the Kansas bill to block competition for existing Internet providers, like Time Warner Cable.
Early Reactions to Anti-Competition Broadband Bill in Kansas
Following the introduction of SB 304 to limit investment in Internet networks in Kansas, which we covered on Tuesday, we saw some early reactions from those who fear the bill will effectively stop new investment in networks, much to the benefit of the big cable and telephone companies already
Ponca City Fiber: Serving Businesses, Schools, and Offering Free Wi-Fi
Its extensive free Wi-Fi has brought Ponca City into the limelight but the mesh network did not appear overnight. The community effort began with miles of fiber network that provide connectivity and enable the mesh network financially and technically.
Kansas Legislature Introduces Bill to Limit Internet Investment
Get updates to this story here.
With Senate Bill No. 304 [pdf], the Kansas Legislature will consider a bill to revoke local authority to build networks.
Policy Brief: Building Community Broadband Access
In partnership with the Center for Popular Democracy, we have created a new policy brief: Building Community Broadband Access. We offer examples of communities that have acted to improve access by using smart strategies that facilitate community owned networks.
Minnesota Broadband Conference February 4 - 5
Mark your calendar to attend Boarder to Boarder Broadband: A Call to Action on February 4 - 5 in St. Paul, Minnesota. The event is sponsored by the Blandin Foundation and a long list of organizations concerned with connectivity, economic development, and education ni Minnesota.
Sun Prairie Ponders Fiber Network Investment in Wisconsin
The Sun Prairie City Council met on January 14th to discuss a possible investment in a municipal fiber network. Thank you to local resident Jonathan Kleinow for alerting us to developments in the south central Wisconsin town.
Colbert Covers Network Neutrality
Enjoy...
Merit Collaborates With OARnet and Local Community in Hillsdale, Michigan
A recent press release from the Merit educational and research network in Michigan announces a new connection to its Ohio sister, OARnet. Member entities and local communities now enjoy better redundancy, expanded reach, and better services.
High Speed in the Blue Grass State: Russellville's Gig
The Logan Journal recently reported that the Russellville Electric Plant Board (EPB) now offers gigabit service to local businesses.
Burlington's Civic Cloud Collaborative Wins Knight Foundation Award
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has awarded a Knight Prototype Fund grant to the Civic Cloud Collaborative of Burlington, Vermont.