Community Broadband Media Roundup - February 8

Tennessee

State House Speaker Harwell expects rural broadband bill delay to next year by Richard Locker, Commercial Appeal

Supporters of a bill seeking to allow municipal broadband providers to expand high-speed Internet service to rural areas are calling the measure long overdue by Erik Schelzig, Daily Journal

'AT&T is the villain' in battle over rural broadband access, Republican lawmaker says by Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica

 

Virginia

Sunset Telecommunications trying to buy BVU's Optinet by David McGee, Bristol Herald Courier

We've covered BVU in the past for their successful establishment of a municipal network as well as their expansion into surrounding communities. Developments in Bristol impact the community's access to fast, affordable, reliable Internet access via the municipal utility. All the community's achievements in bringing the BVU OptiNet to the people of Bristol will soon just be a chapter in the city's history, if this deal goes through.

 

West Virginia

Internet bill would build government-owned high-speed 'middle mile' by Pamela Pritt, Charleston Register-Herald

 

General

On American Indian reservations, challenges perpetuate the digital divide by Julianne Tvetan, ArsTechnica

Congressional Rural Broadband Caucus launches by John Eggerton, Broadcasting & Cable

Bernie Sanders urges FCC to stop Comcast billing fraud by Karl Bode, DSL Reports

"Given the power big corporations have over American consumers, the need to stop unfair billing practices and ensure affordable cable and Internet services for all Americans is all the more important," proclaims the letter.

Challenge to FCC preemption of state prohibition on municipal broadband to be heard in March by Davis Wright Tremaine, Lexology

AT&T: subsidies for us are good, but community broadband is bad by Karl Bode, DSL Reports