News

Salisbury Discusses Motivation Behind Fibrant on TelecomTV

on Dec 15, 2010

Michael Crowell, Fibrant's Director of Broadband Services, discusses the motivation behind their community fiber network (Fibrant), as well as some of the technology behind their GPON network. This is one of several similar interviews from TelecomTV.

FCC on Net Neutrality: More Bush than Obama

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 14, 2010

Whenever the discussion of Network Neutrality comes up, we like to remind everyone that when the network is locally owned and accountable to the community, anti-subscriber discrimination is not a problem. That said, we are strong supporters of proper safeguards to ensure massive companies like AT&T cannot abuse their market power and discourage innovation.

Interview With Jay Ovittore of Communities United for Broadband

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 13, 2010

In another TelecomTV segment, Jay Ovittore speaks with Guy Daniels discussing Communities United for Broadband. This video is no longer available. <

Sarasota, Florida, Recognizes Need for Better Broadband

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 11, 2010

Another community in Florida is considering a community broadband network as a solution to its need for faster, more reliable broadband than incumbents offer.

Another Telecom Exec Calls for Less Competition

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 10, 2010

As part of our continuing effort to shed light on the tendency of privately owned telcos and cablecos to consolidate rather than compete, we would like to note comments from Qwest's Chief Financial Officer.

Interview with Wilson's Greenlight Community Fiber Network

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 9, 2010

This is a good 5 minute interview discussing what Wilson has done to build the first citywide FTTH network in North Carolina.

Bristol Virginia Utilities Refinances Debt

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 8, 2010

BVU, which operates OptiNet (the nation's first triple-play muni FTTH network), has transitioned from being owned by the City to being an independent authority. In its last fiscal year (2010-11), the public power utility finished with net income. OptiNet finished ahead of projections.

Associated Press Ignores Muni Broadband Successes

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 7, 2010

The AP says Burlington Telecom may be a cautionary tale for cities around the the country that contemplate building their own networks.

Using Faster Broadband

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 6, 2010

Chattanooga's Times Free Press explained how locals are using the nation's fastest broadband network.

To communities that seize broadband initiative, benefits flow fast

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 4, 2010

On November 29, 2010, MPR published our commentary about community broadband. The Twin Cities has slower and more expensive broadband Internet than the nearby town of Monticello. The Twin Cities metro area has a population of 2.8 million and the highest density of people and businesses in the state.

Rural Washington Network, Chelan PUD, Increases Speeds and Expands

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 3, 2010

The Chelan Public Utility District in Washington state is upgrading network capacity as it starts expanding the network following its broadband stimulus award.

Barbara Van Schewick on Innovation and Architecture

Christopher Mitchell

on Dec 1, 2010

Barbara Van Schewick, author of Internet Architecture and Innovation, describes the important role of openness on the Internet, what that means, and how to preserve it. Thanks to the New York Chapter of Internet Society for hosting her.

Comcast, Level 3, Peering, and a Bad Best Case Scenario

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 30, 2010

So Comcast and Level 3 are in a peering dispute following the Netflix partnership with Level 3 to distribute their streaming movie service.

Vermonters Angry at Wireless Broadband Stimulus Grant Instead of Fiber Loan

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 29, 2010

Vermonters are asking some hard questions about the federal broadband stimulus decision to throw money at a wireless network for Vermont rather than loaning money to an organization dedicated to delivering real broadband.

Monticello Shows Rural Does Not Have to Lag Urban Broadband

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 28, 2010

Two weeks ago, we released an analysis showing that the private broadband providers in the Twin Cities of Minnesota could not keep up with the small, community fiber network in nearby Monticello.

Dilbert Explains Telco, Cableco Pricing Strategy

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 27, 2010

Verizon Calls for More Industry Consolidation

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 26, 2010

Remember our post that privately owned broadband networks tend toward consolidation? A Wall Street Journal article notes that Verizon CEO Seidenbuerg agrees:

Mr.

Background From Reedsburg, Wisconsin: Community Fiber Pioneer

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 24, 2010

David Isenberg, of isen.blog, has published a short history of Reedsburg's community fiber network that he previously wrote for the FCC when they were gathering evidence of successful networks they would later ignore in formulating a plan to continue the failed status quo of hoping pr

Analysis: Faster, Cheaper Broadband in North Carolina Comes From Community Fiber Networks

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 23, 2010

For years, the North Carolina General Assembly has considered bills pushed by cable lobbyists to ban community networks. A new analysis from the folks at MuniNetworks.org shows that community fiber networks offer the most advanced services in the state -- faster speeds at lower prices.

DC Publicly Owned I-Net Offers Free Wi-Fi for Tourists

Christopher Mitchell

on Nov 22, 2010

Washington, DC, has greatly increased the available free Wi-Fi hotspots available to those hanging out on the National Mall. DC-Net is a massive fiber-optic network used by public agencies, schools, community institutions, etc. and offers connections that are faster, less expensive, and more reliable than could be achieved by relying on leased connections from private providers.