With so many people on vacation this week for Independence Day, we decided to take it easy and reflect on my trip to Colorado to discuss rural broadband at the Mountain Connect conference. Lisa and I reflect on the event and what other states can learn from Colorado. Though the Colorado legislature previously bowed to pressure … Read More
Boulder’s City Council is considering November ballot question to restore local authority for municipal telecommunications services. The measure, if passed, will create an exemption to the 2005 Colorado law allowing Boulder to better use its existing fiber optic infrastructure. Apparently, the Boulder community has a self-reliant streak. This is not the first time the Institute for … Read More
Citing the importance of Internet access to economic development, a number of Congressional Democrats are calling on FCC Chairman Wheeler to make good on his intention to remove barriers to community owned networks. Senator Edward Markey is the lead from the Senate and Representative Doyle in the House. And this Minnesotan takes pride in seeing both … Read More
The Institute for Local Self-Reliance praises Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken of Minnesota for leading the growing list of organizations committed to defending the authority of communities to make their own decisions when it comes to build the Internet networks of tomorrow.… Read More
On June 22, Mayors from around the country gathered at the U.S. Conference of Mayors 82nd Annual Meeting. Members of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Communications voted to combine Resolution #115 “Net Neutrality” and #114 “Preserving a Free and Open Internet.” Resolution #115 was of particular interest to community broadband advocates because it called on … Read More
It has been a busy few weeks for those of focused on restoring local authority to communities over the matter of building Internet networks. But for those of you who are just wondering what is happening, we haven’t done the best job of keeping you in the loop. A few weeks ago, we noted the blog … Read More
Erwin, population 6,000, is planning a pilot project to bring fiber to downtown homes and businesses, reports local media. The project may be lit by November, serving approximately 1,200 premises. According to the Johnson City Press, Erwin Utilities has already developed a plan to offer Internet and phone service: The network would offer customers high-speed broadband … Read More
This is a transcript from a 27 minute radio interview I did with Gavin Dahl from KGNU radio’s “It’s the Economy” show.” Listen to the show here. Many thanks to Jeff Hoel for providing the transcript. http://www.kgnu.org/economy/6/19/2014 00:34: Gavin Dahl: Tonight, on “It’s the Economy,” interviews with Professor Jesse Drew, author of the book, “A Social … Read More
KGNU from Boulder recently interviewed Chris on It’s the Economy. This 27 minute interview is a crash course in all the intertwined topics that have the telecom policy crowd buzzing. Host Gavin Dahl asked Chris about SB 152, the 2005 Colorado statute that constricted local authority and has prevented communities in that state from investing in … Read More
