We last took a look at Palm Coast’s FiberNET over two years ago when Broadband Communities featured the open access fiber network along Florida’s upper east coast. Due to its initial focus on community anchor institutions and incremental build out, FiberNET serves as an outstanding example of how to justify a network investment with cost savings. … Read More
Truth Out, December 7, 2013 Next time someone tells you they shop at Walmart because it’s cheap or convenient, share this. Despite 1,500 protests nationwide against Walmart, the world’s biggest retailer claimed its most lucrative Black Friday ever in 2013. Our friends and neighbors flock there. They do – even those who have seen mom-and-pop stores … Read More
The Daily Journal, December 6, 2013 Locally-owned shops versus national retail stores? An afterthought for us, but for small businesses it can mean life or death. “I made my living in this community,” said 79-year-old Paul Cardosi as he was having his watch band repaired at Andaul Jewelers in Bourbonnais. “Why not shop locally? People supported … Read More
A year has passed since we covered SpringNet in Springfield, Missouri, and its remarkable impact on local businesses and economic development. We recently spoke with SpringNet Director, Todd Murren, and Network Architecture Manager, Todd Christell, to get an update on how the network is progressing. Demand for SpringNet’s high-speed data services continues to grow steadily. Financial … Read More
2013 was a big year for ILSR. We successfully countered attempts by big corporations like Walmart, Xcel Energy, and Time Warner Cable to expand their market power and override local decision-making authority. And we worked with communities and policymakers across the country to advance new models and policies that build strong, sustainable, locally owned economies. ILSR’s 2013 … Read More
Government Technology, December 3, 2013 Los Angeles will release an RFP early next year seeking a vendor to build a free, fiber-based broadband network for all residents and businesses. But while the concept of citywide, high-speed connectivity is attractive, experts believe the plan isn’t realistic. Harold Feld, senior vice president of Public Knowledge, a technology-focused consumer … Read More
Various Sources, November 25-30, 2013 ILSR was mentioned in a number of stories related to the start of the holiday shopping season. Below are links to some of those stories: Locally owned businesses participate in Cyber Monday – WHAS The Institute for Local Self-Reliance and 150 Local Business organizations representing over 40,000 Local Independent businesses across … Read More
CommonDreams, November 26, 2013 For those suffering from too much quality time with their families, the chain stores are poised to offer an escape by opening Thanksgiving Day. Before your dinner is digested, you can flee the table to vie for pole position at the big box entrance like Roman chariot drivers and prepare to do … Read More
Gainesville Regional Utilities (GRU) has been deploying fiber in the north-central Florida home to the University of Florida (UF) since the late 1990s. We briefly mentioned them last year when Gig.U teamed up with GRUCom, GRU’s telecom division, to connect neighborhoods and businesses surrounding the University with fiber broadband. We’ve since taken a deeper look at … Read More
