We originally published this story on MuniNetworks.org, ILSR’s site dedicated to our broadband initiative. This is the first in a series of articles on Seattle and Gigabit Squared by Christopher Mitchell, Director of the Initiative. A few weeks ago, a Geekwire interview with outgoing Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn announced that the Gigabit Squared project there was … Read More
We first reported on Leverett in the spring of 2012. Leverett, a small town of 2,000, also attracted Susan Crawford’s attention. Crawford and Robyn Mohr recently wrote a case study on the community’s efforts to build its own fiber network. The Berkman Center for Internet & Society released the paper on December 16, 2013. Readers will … Read More
A growing number of local municipalities are finding ways to offer fee Wi-Fi. Vidalia is the latest according to a recent Miami Herald article. Community leaders hope to launch the new service by the spring of 2014. Vidalia, home to 4,300 residents, originally planned to use funds from a 2010 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant … Read More
We recently reported on the WhiteSpaces Pilot Project from the Gigabit Libraries Network (GLN). In order to find out the results in the trenches, we contacted two participant communities: Delta County, Colorado and Pascagoula, Mississippi. The project connects libraries with vendors that supply equipment tapping into what has been television spectrum, or “white spaces.” A Wi-Fi … Read More
Residential customers of Co-Mo Connect in Missouri will see a free upgrade this spring. In a December announcement, the cooperative stated it will also begin offering gigabit Internet service for $99.95 per month. “There are no strings attached,” said Randy Klindt, Co-Mo Comm’s general manager. “We’re doing this because we can, because the network has the … Read More
In 1985, Auburn Electric became one of the first communities in the midwest to deploy fiber. At the time, the purpose was to improve electric and voice systems substation communications within the municipal utility. That investment laid the foundation for a municipal network that now encourages economic development and saves public dollars while enhancing services. Auburn expanded … Read More
The Gigabit Libraries Network (GLN) has orchestrated a pilot project to optimize white space technology for connectivity in and near community libraries and schools. We discussed this approach on our most recent podcast with Don Means, coordinator of the project. White spaces wireless, sometimes referred to as “Super Wi-Fi” or “TVWS,” can provide limited access in rural … Read More
Marshall County Council recently approved a motion to join several other entities to bring Indiana’s dark fiber Metronet to the area. WNDU reports St. Joseph County and the city of Plymouth are also contributing to the project (video available at WNDU link). The St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and a local company, Hoosier Racing Tire, will … Read More
Vidalia joins the growing list of communities with plans to offer free Wi-Fi. A recent Miami Herald article reports on recent plans. Community leaders hope to get the project ready for launch in spring 2014. Vidalia, home to 4,300 residents, hoped to use funds from a 2010 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant to build a … Read More
