It is the fifth episode of the Whatcha Workin’ On? podcast. Christopher Mitchell, Director of the Telecommunications as Commons initiative speaks to Lisa Gonzalez. Chris describes the roots of the initiative, the many projects we are working on now, and his ideas for what we will pursue moving forward. For more specific info on the initiative … Read More
More communities now embrace “dig once” policies to facilitate installation of future and current networks. The idea is to be mindful of trenching for transportation and utility projects and encourage collaboration between agencies. However, this is implemented in a variety of ways, some more effectively than others. By establishing requirements for conduit installation in development codes, … Read More
Not long ago, we learned about Nixa, Missouri, and a group of local entrepreneurs interested in a community owned network. In May, the City Council approved funding for a preliminary study to explore the possibilities for a municipal network. The study will cost $45,000. According to Rance Burger of the News-Leader, a May 20 council meeting … Read More
Accusations of special treatment for Time Warner Cable found their way into floor debate at the North Carolina General Assembly and it was no surprise to ILSR staff. Republican legislator and former Committee Chair Robert Brawley shared a revealing letter he wrote to Speaker Thom Tillis questioning his relationship with Time Warner Cable. ILSR covered Time … Read More
Klint Finley from Wired.com joined a Media Consortium press call that our own Christopher Mitchell participated in regarding community owned networks, Google Fiber, and concerns about the future of Internet access. He wrote about the event and the promise of municipal networks. Finley referred readers to us: But there’s no guarantee that Google Fiber will come … Read More
In November 2012, Broadband Communities Magazine hosted the first of its Economic Development Conference Series in Danville, Virginia. The second conference, scheduled for November 5-7, 2013, will bring another group of leaders together in Tinley Park, Illinois, just outside of Chicago. This year, the conference will focus on the Midwest with discussions about Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, … Read More
ILSR’s Wireless Internet 101 fact sheet provides quick information on wireless technologies and policy. Most of us take wireless for granted. We use it every day but we have very little understanding of how it works, its limitations, or how it is managed. This fact sheet offers answers to questions many of us ask at one … Read More
In March, Ketchum leaders hired Magellan Advisors to work with the city Broadband Strategic Planning Committee to create a plan to address the lack of high-speed Internet, especially in the downtown area. Brennan Rego’s Idaho Mountain Express article reports the firm and the committee are now presenting their findings to the community in a series of meetings. … Read More
The newly completed Medina County Fiber Network (MCFN) in Ohio will soon add Medina County government as the next customer. The Medina-Gazette reports the County Commission recently voted unanimously to enter into a five-year agreement with MCFN and drop Armstrong Cable. County Administrator Chris Jakab says the county will save $600 per month. Currently Medina County pays … Read More
