Monticello Times, June 17, 2013 Monticello council members have approved a $5.75 million proposed settlement to keep a possible lawsuit with FiberNet bondholders from financial escalation. The legal process associated with the proposed settlement would involve the simultaneous filing of a federal class action lawsuit on behalf of bondholders and a tentative agreement on the proposed … Read More
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
We continue to see more and more of what we might call “gigabit fever.” This is not just a “me too” bubble centered around superfast Internet access. It is a recognition by more and more communities that the refusal of their cable and DSL duopoly to invest in next-generation networks is materially harming their future. Shortly … 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
Mountain Area Info Network, June 13, 20131 Western North Carolina is facing a “last-mile” broadband crisis according to preliminary data from a study mapping high-speed Internet access across the region. “Last-mile” refers to service at individual homes and small businesses. The study, conducted by the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN), found that only 15 percent … 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
For our 50th episode, we’re trying something new: Lisa and I respond to three common claims made by opponents of community owned networks. We owe these three particular arguments to the Executive Director of the trade association of Wisconsin telephone companies. Each of the clips we respond to come from claims he made at a workshop … Read More
