2014 Broadband Communities Summit In Austin, Texas Set for April 8 - 10
The 2014 Broadband Communities Summit is scheduled for April 8 - 10 in Austin, Texas.
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
News
Being a Gig City: It's All About the Upload
This is the second in a series of posts examining a premier Gigabit Community - Wilson, North Carolina. The first post is available here.
It's all about the Upload.
MassBroadband 123 Complete in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Broadband Institute (MBI) just announced that the 1,200-mile fiber network MassBroadband 123 is now complete.
Chris Mitchell Speaks in Sweden on U.S. Broadband: Archives Now Available
In February, ILSR's Christopher Mitchell travelled to Stockholm to participate in an event titled Fibre: The key to creating world-class IT regions. On February 21st, he presented info to attendees on the status of broadband in the U.S.
Westminster and Chanute Pass Resolutions Supporting FCC's Authority to Remove State Barriers
In light of the recent announcement, community leaders in Maryland and Kansas are rallying behind the FCC as it considers its authority under Section 706 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act.
Santa Monica's Telecommunications Master Plan
In 1998, Santa Monica created a Telecommunications Master Plan that has guided it for the past fifteen years in building an impressive fiber network connecting all community anchor institutions and many business districts.
New Hampshire's Bill Would Allow Munis to Bond for Open Access
A recent in-depth article from the Keene Sentinel updates us on the status of New Hampshire's HB 286, which would expand bonding authority for local governments.
Krugman Calls out the Barons of Broadband
We should probably be thanking Comcast for its attempt to take over Time Warner Cable. It has inspired a shocking amount of vitriol against the cable monopolies, including an entertaining but NSFW video with strong language from Funny or Die.
Utah Senate Bill Attacking UTOPIA on the Fast Track: SB190
UPDATE: According to Pete Ashdown, the amendment has been pulled. Stay vigilant, these things rarely just go away.
An Increasing Call for Community Owned Networks
While Comcast focuses on increasing its market power rather than improving services in the communities it monopolizes, no one should be surprised that we are seeing a surge in interest for building community owned networks.
We've heard from many people who want to learn how they can start - more than we can always respond to, unfortunately.
Save the White Spaces! From Public Knowledge
The FCC is now contemplating how much newly freed spectrum to retain for public use and how much to auction off to private companies for their exclusive use. Public Knowledge is leading the effort to ensure we retain enough shared spectrum to unleash more innovation and public benefits rather than simply padding the profits of a few massive firms that already control plenty of it.
KKFI in Kansas City Interview Mitchell and Todd O'Boyle on Kansas Legislation
On February 13, KKFI Community Radio from Kansas City, Missouri, interviewed ILSR's Chris Mitchell and Todd O'Boyle from Common Cause.
OpenCape: Local Ideas to Maximize Fiber Infrastructure
The OpenCape Network launched about eight months ago to bring better middle mile connectivity to Cape Cod.
Montrose Asks Voters to Take Back Authority to Establish A Telecommunications Utility
Colorado communities continue to seek to restore local authority for telecommunications. In April's election, elected officials of Montrose will ask voters to approve a measure that gives the municipality the right to establish a telecommunications utility.
Big Incumbents At It Again In Kentucky; Mimi Pickering in the Richmond Register
Yet again, lobbyists from AT&T, Windstream, and Cincinnati Bell are lobbying state elected officials under the false guise of improving communications in Kentucky.
FCC to Investigate Barriers to Community Networks
We are supportive of the announcement today from the Federal Communications Commission.
Westminster's Fiber Project Drawing Business from New York City to Maryland
Westminster's FTTP pilot project continues to blossom. We recently heard from Dr. Robert Wack, one of the local leaders of the project.
Engineering, the first phase, is almost completed with bids for construction soon to be solicited.
Chattanooga's Fiber Network Praised for Great Customer Service
One of the main differentiator's of community owned networks compared to the big cable and telephone companies is customer service. Being rooted in the community, vested in its success, and employing local residents just means better, more prompt service. A prominent Chattanoogan recently explained:
Susan Crawford on National Public Radio
"Unless somebody in the system has industrial policy in mind, a long-term picture of where the United States needs to be and has the political power to act on it, we'll be a Third World country when it comes to communications."
Vidalia's Broadband Initiative Moves Forward as Free Wi-Fi Comes to Town
Vidalia's plans to offer free Wi-Fi are becoming reality. The Natchez Democrat recently reported that the City launched its free Wi-Fi in its new municipal complex.