Get a Gig in Oklahoma: Rural Cooperative Deploying FTTH in Northeast Corner of the State

Date: 18 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, serving a five county rural region, plans to begin offering gigabit service in its territory by the end of 2014. The cooperative has formed Bolt Fiber Optic Services to offer connectivity to approximately 32,000 homes and businesses. According to Light Reading, the infrastructure is funded with a $90 million loan from the … Read More

A Short CLIC Background – Community Broadband Bits Podcast Episode 103

Date: 17 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This week, Lisa and I discuss the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, CLIC, that was announced last week. This is a short episode that aims to answer some of the common questions about CLIC, including why we felt it was necessary to create this coalition now. You can still sign up to become a member of … Read More

Verizon Engaged in IP Transition With No Rules: Where is the FCC?

Date: 16 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Public Knowledge, The Utility Reform Network (TURN), and a long list of other public interest groups, recently filed a letter with the FCC urging the agency to launch an investigation. Specifically, the alliance asks the FCC to look into reports that Verizon is forcing customers to move from copper lines to fiber IP-based service. From the … Read More

Community Networks: Checks and Balances

Date: 15 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As both AT&T and Comcast seek to increase their market power by buying rivals instead of competing, Barry Lynn reminds us of our history of fighting such consolidated power. From Cornered: The New Monopoly Capitalism and the Economics of Destruction. In the modern era in the United States, efficiency was a favorite defense by industrial autocrats … Read More

FCC’s Wheeler Forging Ahead As Support Grows to Restore Local Decision-Making

Date: 12 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In a June 10 Official FCC Blog post, Chairman Tom Wheeler’s words show continued resolve to restore local decision-making to communities that want to evaluate their own investments and partnerships. This is the latest in a series of public statements indicating the agency is ready to assert authority and remove barriers to community networks. Wheeler writes: … Read More

“Localism Over Consolidation” Discussion Streaming from New America Foundation

Date: 11 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

If you missed Chris in D.C. at the New America Foundation on May 28th, you can still catch the action via the archived presentation. Chris joined Joanne Hovis, Will Aycock, and Catharine Rice to discuss “Localism Over Consolidation: An Exploration of Public Broadband Options.” New America Foundation writes: Today, more and more communities are thinking of … Read More

You Are Cordially Invited: June 17th Discussion on Cable Companies, Monopolies, and Community Networks

Date: 10 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On Tuesday June 17th, Chris will be participating in a conversation hosted by the Media Consortium as part of its Media Policy Reporting and Education Program (MPREP). You are invited to sit in on what is sure to be a spirited discussion on community networks and the lack of competition in the cable industry. What: Community Fiber … Read More

Announcing: The Coalition for Local Internet Choice

Date: 10 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

We are excited to announce a new effort to restore and preserve local decision-making authority when it comes to public private partnerships and Internet infrastructure investment. The Coalition for Local Internet Choice, CLIC, will work to ensure communities can make these decisions for themselves. Mission statement:   The Coalition for Local Internet Choice – CLIC – represents … Read More

Illinois’ Monticello Local Partnership Leads to Big Savings – Community Broadband Bits Episode 102

Date: 10 Jun 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Following up on Lisa’s in-depth story on Monticello, Illinois, we asked Vic Zimmerman to join us for episode 102 of the Community Broadband Bits. We talk about how rural Monticello started by reaching out to the existing service providers, only to be stalled for months and then years. Eventually they realized they would have to take … Read More

1 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 254