News

Statewide Video Franchising: Bad for Communities

By

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

By

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

By

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

By

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!

By

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

By

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

By

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?

By

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

By

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?

By

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

By

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

Stimulus Updates

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 7, 2009

NTIA head Larry Strickling has suggested that if an incumbent wants to veto a stimulus grant in its territory, the data it uses to show the area is served will be on the public record.

Slick Sam and Bandwidth on the Bayou

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 6, 2009

As promised a few weeks ago, Ellen Perlman has written a piece on the story behind the Lafayette, Louisiana publicly owned FTTH network. This might just be the best network available in the U.S. in terms of offering the fastest speeds at the more affordable prices and offering the most benefit to the community.

Tacoma Click! Network 10 Year Anniversary

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 5, 2009

Congratulations to Click! on its ten years of service to the community.

This video is no longer available.

New Network Neutrality Bill

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Aug 4, 2009

Representatives Markey and Eshoo have introduced a House bill to preserve network neutrality on the Internet - a means to ensure users are able to choose what sites they visit rather than allowing gatekeepers like AT&T or Comcast to influence the decisions by speeding up or slowing down some sites.

Roundup: Lafayette, Syracuse, Incumbent Bailout, and MAIN

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Jul 30, 2009

Another roundup of semi-recent news:

Lafayette's groundbreaking network is exciting the folks at Governing.com - they say, "The Future of the Internet is in Lafayette, Louisiana." Ellen Perlman hints are future coverage of the network as well:

Paul Bunyan Coop Brings Fiber to Rural Minnesota

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Jul 29, 2009

Many people in rural areas get their phone services from a cooperative telephone company. When it comes to fiber in rural areas, some of these cooperatives are on the cutting edge.

FTTH: Making That Business Model Work

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Jul 27, 2009

A one hour slideshow discussing the economics of FTTH - unfortunately it seems to have rudimentary controls that do not allow fast fowarding or rewinding, so pay attention! You can also read the bullet points to get a sense of whether you will be interested or not.

How NTIA Dismantled the Public Interest Provisions of the Broadband Stimulus Package

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Jul 27, 2009

After winning the election, the Obama Administration announced that broadband networks would be a priority. True to its word, the stimulus package included $7.2 billion to expand networks throughout the United States.

Boston vs. Verizon

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Jul 24, 2009

A recent editorial in the Boston Globe caught my attention - Fiber-optic nerve.