News

Comcast Trying to Gouge Palo Alto, Lesson for Others

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 1, 2009

It looks like Palo Alto should move quickly on expanding its publicly owned fiber-based I-NET - as the city renegotiates the cable franchise with Comcast, the private cable company is trying to rip-off taxpayers with exorbitant prices for community anchor tenants.

Comments on Round Two for Broadband Stimulus

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 30, 2009

I have just submitted comments from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance to both the the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) regarding suggestions for rules in round two (the last round) of the broadband stimulus programs -- the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP - administered by NTIA) and Broadband Initiatives Pro

Competition Does Not Always Keep Prices Low

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 24, 2009

We are seeing increasing evidence that competition alone is not sufficient to keep prices low. Though some communities (Monticello, MN; Powell, WY) have seen major prices drops as a result of competition from a publicly owned network, other communities have seen only price freezes or more modest increases when compared to non-competitive areas.

Bristol Virginia Utilities - Doing Well

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 23, 2009

BVU's OptiNet has received a grant to expand its fiber network in rural Virginia from the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission.

News from Communities - Seattle, Clarksville, Chattanooga, and Rutland

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 19, 2009

Communities around Rutland in Vermont are moving forward with a planned universal full fiber-to-the-home network. Interestingly, this network has been spear-headed by the Rutland Redevelopment Authority, not a local City Hall.

ILSR Comments on Publicly Owned Networks to FCC

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 18, 2009

As the FCC continues to formulate a National Broadband Plan, the Institute for Local Self-Reliance has submitted comments [pdf] about publicly owned networks in response to the Request for Comments #7: "Comment Sought on the Contribution of Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Government to

Support MuniNetworks.org TODAY and See your Contribution Matched!

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 17, 2009

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MuniNetworks.org is a project of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, a non-profit that has worked with communities to maximize their potential for 3

Longmont's Saga - The Failure of Referendum

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 16, 2009

As we have noted previously, Longmont, Colorado, has seen a number of private companies attempt to offer Wi-Fi broadband and then go out of business.

Illinois Governor Recommends Publicly Owned Fiber Network for Broadband Stimulus

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 13, 2009

Highland, a city in Illinois, has been recommended by the governor to receive a grant from the broadband stimulus program. Highland plans to build a full fiber-to-the-home network after first connecting the schools and public buildings (a phased approach that has worked well elsewhere).

The Commons

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 12, 2009

Elinor Ostrom's Nobel Prize Award was a significant victory for those of us who have recognized not only a difference between the public good and private good, but really for those of us who have recognized the great variety of approaches on how to promote the public good. First, the background - Elinor Ostrom has won a Nobel

Ultra High Speed Task Force Report Released

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 6, 2009

Minnesota's Ultra High Speed Broadband Task Force (created by the legislature last year and largely appointed by the Governor) is releasing its report today (the report will soon be available here).

Results of Tuesday's Elections

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 5, 2009

A few local elections on Tuesday had questions relating to publicly owned broadband networks. In Seattle, candidate McGinn strongly supported a publicly owned fiber optic network for the city and he may yet get his way as the race is a dead heat and ballots are still being counted.

FCC Needs Your Comments on Local Government and Broadband

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 4, 2009

The FCC is asking for comments on the contribution of federal, state, tribal, and local government to broadband [pdf].

Missouri's Consultant, Competition Spurs Investment, and Maine's Middle Mile

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 3, 2009

A columnist explains why Missouri hired broadband network consultant Jim Baller to aid in expanding broadband across the state.

Tacoma Raises Prices for Cable Subscribers

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 2, 2009

Tacoma's Click! network, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, has announced a coming price hike to cover increased costs for carrying channels. Tacoma's Click!

Community Fiber Networks, Symmetry, and the Flu

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Oct 30, 2009

Many publicly owned community fiber networks offer symmetrical connections - allowing subscribers to both upload and download content at the same speeds. This approach treats the subscriber as both a producer and consumer of content (one of the reasons I generally avoid calling a subscriber a "customer" or "user").

TDS Ups Ante in Monticello with Predatory Pricing

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Oct 29, 2009

Monticello Minnesota, the small community located 40 miles northwest of the Twin Cities, recently returned to the news when its telephone incumbent, TDS, began offering a fast 50/20 Mbps residential broadband connection for $50/month.

Longmont, Colorado, Considers Broadband Options

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Oct 28, 2009

As I noted previously, a community in Colorado - Longmont - will soon vote on whether the local government should be allowed to sell retail Internet services.

Maine Needs Publicly Owned Broadband

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Oct 27, 2009

My colleague in Portland, Maine, and I wrote this commentary for Maine's Portland Press Herald. Last January, as the economy spiraled downward, Time Warner did what no other company could have gotten away with under the circumstances: It imposed a price increase of as much as 5.5 percent on its Maine customers.

Video on Australia's Proposed National Broadband Network

By

Christopher Mitchell

on Oct 26, 2009

Alcatel-Lucent has created a terrific video (I saw it at Fiberevolution.com) for Australia regarding their proposed National Broadband Network. Australia is the latest of many countries poised to surpass the U.S.