On September 19th, the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center (UCIMC) hosted “Models for Building Local Broadband: Public, Private, Coop, Nonprofit.” Christopher Mitchell was one of several panelists who discussed local broadband options and challenges. The presentors live streamed to 138 attendees with 93 watching remotely various locations and 45 at the Media Center. If you were … Read More
The Chattanooga Gig continues to benefit the community. We have covered some of the jobs that it has created, how it has lowered City expenditures and improved street lighting, and the recently announced speed increase without hiking rates. Now, EPB can also boast about how the network has significantly cut power costs. Dave Flessner from the TimesFreePress.com reports that, … Read More
We have shared updates on Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SMBS) as they roll out their fiber routes in Jackson and surrounding towns. Now, we want to share info about their use of wireless to compliment the fiber network. According to the U-reka website, LocaLoop, Inc. and its subsidiary, SynKro Southwest, will soon be working with SMBS … Read More
Once again, consumers must fight to preserve their landline telephone service. This time, the Ohio General Assembly is pondering legislation that can end traditional service for up to 1 million Ohio residents. Our readers know about the efforts of ALEC and AT&T to drastically reduce their obligation to provide landlines across the country. Up to now, … Read More
Waukesha, Wisconsin now offers an ultra-fast connection for educational and government members. WiscNetWire reports that the region’s Community Area Network (CAN) obtained 1 gigabit Internet capability in August. We have reported on Wisconsin’s efforts to expand connectivity using the CAN model of collaboration. The people of Wisconsin are hard at working connecting to each other with … Read More
The National Association of Counties (NACo) gave us permission to reprint an article they recently wrote in their County News publication. NACo advocates for county governments on federal policy that impacts local decsion and local control. NACo is based in Washington, D.C. In the article, author Charles Taylor discusses the perils of Oconee and Orangeburg Counties … Read More
Christopher Mitchell recently presented at the “How a Municipal Network Can Help Your City” webinar from the National League of Cities. Along with Christopher were several other experts including Kyle Hollified, VP Sales/Marketing, Bristol Virginia Utilities, Bristol; Mary Beth Henry, Manager, Office for Community Technology/Mt Hood Cable Regulatory Commission in Portland, Oregon; and Colman Keane, Director … Read More
Just this week, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski highlighted the success of Chattanooga at a speech at VOX Media and SBNation on Winning the Global Broadband Race. From his speech (the entire speech in PDF format is available here): First, as we said in our National Broadband Plan, we need “innovation hubs” with ultra-fast broadband, with speed … Read More
The National Association of Counties (NACo) recently analyzed South Carolina’s new telecommunications laws and, like ILSR, finds the laws have the ability to delay or even stop progressing stimulus projects. Charles Taylor of the NACo interviewed several experts in the field, including Christopher Mitchell. Taylor found that two projects in particular are in the greatest peril. … Read More
