News

Solving Middle Mile Availability Does NOT Solve Last Mile Problems

on Sep 21, 2010

Perhaps the biggest disappointment from the broadband stimulus program was its focus on middle mile investments in a bid to avoid overly upsetting powerful incumbent providers who do not look kindly upon competition (something we discussed here).

Carroll County, Maryland, Partners with Coop To Bring Fiber to Area Businesses

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 20, 2010

Carroll County, Maryland, has announced a partnership with the Maryland Broadband Cooperative to bring fiber-optic broadband to area businesses that have been neglected by incumbent providers.

The county br

West Saint Paul Looks to Build Fiber I-Net

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 19, 2010

Southwest Review News covered discussions to build a publicly owned fiber I-Net in West St. Paul (a city located, oddly enough, due south of Saint Paul, MN). The estimated cost is $143,000 and will be undertaken in partnership with Dakota County.

On Outskirts of Minneapolis, Carver County Builds Fiber Ring

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 18, 2010

As I was catching up on some of the good broadband stimulus awards, I came across this Sun Patriot newspaper article about Carver County's award.

Jackson Energy Authority Adds Tantalus for Smart-Grid

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 17, 2010

Jackson Energy Authority in Tennessee, long the largest community fiber network in the US, is investing in greater smart-grid capabilities.

Wired West Decides on Coop Structure

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 16, 2010

Western Massachusetts' Wired West is an exciting approach to bringing next-generation broadband networks to rural areas. Thanks to Design Nine's news blog for alerting me to this decision.

More Chattanooga 1Gbps Thoughts and Coverage

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 15, 2010

This is a follow-up to my coverage of Chattanooga's 1Gbps announcement and press around it. Firstly, I have to admit I was simultaneously frustrated and amused by reactions to the $350/month price tag for the 1Gbps service, like Russell Nicols' "

Minnesota's Most Rural Counties Get FTTH Following Stimulus Awards

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 14, 2010

I just spoke with Danna MacKenzie of Cook County and Gary Fields of National Public Broadband (working with Lake County) to find out just how excited they are about yesterday's announcement of broadband stimulus awards.

Chattanooga Announces 1 Gbps Tier

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 13, 2010

Chattanooga has announced a new level of service, offering 1Gbps to all subscribers in a unique citywide offering. Chattanooga previously led the nation with a 150Mbps tier. Today has been crazy, and lots is being written about this announcement, so I'll highlight stories and saving adding something interesting until later.

Speed Tests and Broadband Performance

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 10, 2010

In a light cap to a light-posting week, I wanted to note a post from Fiberevolution regarding speed tests.

Local Control Means Less Reliance on an Ineffective Federal Communications Commission

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 8, 2010

Confused about the inability of the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the massive telecom and broadband carriers? You are not alone.

Dalton's OptiLink Community Network Draws Praise

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 6, 2010

OptiLink, the community fiber network in Dalton, Georgia, has been chosen by local newspaper readers as the Best Internet Provider in 2010 - the third year in a row.

Private Sector Broadband Providers are Anti-Competition

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 5, 2010

We previously covered Qwest's admitted attempts to drive out competition in Utah, but the story has continued with the personal story of another subscriber forced to leave his independent service provider for

Camino Fiber Network Cooperative Seeks Funding

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 4, 2010

A brief update from the Camino Fiber Network Cooperative of El Dorado County in California - the Sacramento Bee ran an article earlier this summer covering the coop's approach to expanding broadband (though they

Chattanooga Takes Broadband to the Sticks

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 2, 2010

Last week I had the good fortune of spending 24 hours in Chattanooga to get a better sense of what the community is doing with their impressive broadband network, EPBFi. It was pretty amazing, especially for an outdoorsy-kinda-guy like me. Chattanooga has an impressive air about it, a place on the up-swing.

Sibley County Discusses Rural Fiber-to-the-Farm

Christopher Mitchell

on Sep 1, 2010

Last night, I drove down to Winthrop (Sibley County) and then Fairfax (Renville County) to get a better sense of their discussions around next-generation broadband networks (originally covered here).

Canada Joins Rest of World With Open Access Requirement

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 31, 2010

Last year, when the Berkman Study (pdf) by Harvard (commissioned by the FCC) revealed the secret behind impressive broadband gains in nearly every country over the past decade, we hoped the FCC would learn something from it.

Salisbury's Fibrant Plans Beta Test, Senator Hoyle Admits Time Warner Wrote Bill to Stop It

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 30, 2010

A local news story from WCNC in North Carolina has caught national attention among some tech news sites. As reported by WCNC, Fibrant will start beta testing its community fiber network next month (which answers a question we have been wondering -- just what is happening down there?).

UTOPIA Gets Broadband Stimulus Award, Positive Op-Ed

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 25, 2010

The open access UTOPIA network in Utah has been awarded broadband stimulus funds that will allow the network to serve hundreds of community institutions in several communities, which will aid them in the continuing last-mile rollout.

The grant was awarded to begin connecting nearly 400 schools, libraries, medical an

Comcastic Contracts and Communication

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 24, 2010

I really try to focus on the many good things communities are doing rather than the many bad things done by massive companies like Comcast.