Community Broadband Media Roundup - April 17

California

Bridging the digital divide is imperative for economic prosperity by Barbara O'Connor, The Sacramento Bee

Idaho

Why does broadband even matter? by Josh McDonald, Shoshone News Press

Minnesota

World-class medical community needs world-class broadband by Mike Schlasner, Rochester Post-Bulletin

Let's double down on what works: Border to Border Broadband Fund creates connectivity by Matt Schmit, MinnPost

To date, the argument for better broadband in Minnesota has focused on (1) the imperative for ubiquitous access for all homes and businesses, (2) the benefits of widespread use in applications ranging from e-commerce and distance learning to telehealth and precision agriculture, and (3) economic growth, opportunity, and competitiveness in every corner of the state.

Broadband remains the greatest of equalizers for economic opportunity, competitiveness, and quality of life in Greater Minnesota.

New York

State must help safeguard personal privacy by The Daily Gazette Editorial Board

Ohio

State laws allowed AT&T to exclude Cleveland's poorest neighborhoods from high-speed Internet service by Eric Sandy, Cleveland Scene

Pennsylvania

Podcast explores LanCity Connect, Lancaster's fiber-optic broadband network by Tim Stuhldreher, Lancaster Online [Subscription Required]

Tennessee

Tennessee could give taxpayers America's fastest Internet for free, but it will give Comcast and AT&T $45 million instead by Jason Koebler, Motherboard Vice

Rural broadband bill to go to Gov. Haslam's desk by WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff

Tennessee gives AT&T, Comcast millions in new taxpayer subsidies, yet banned a city-owned ISP from expanding broadband without taxpayer aid by Karl Bode, TechDirt

Residents in rural Chattanooga almost had 10 Gbps Internet until the State stepped in by Cal Jeffrey, TechSpot

Vermont

Burlington Telecom did not fail by Abbie Tykocki, New Hampshire Union Leader

Virginia

Negotiations underway for broadband service in rural Virginia by Charles Booth, Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Congress sides with broadband providers on customers' browsing history by Dan Casey, The Roanoke Times

West Virginia

WV broadband bill nears finish line by Eric Eyre, West Virginia Gazette Mail

The Senate voted 31-1 Friday to pass a bill (HB 3093) that allows up to 20 families or businesses to form nonprofit co-ops that provide broadband service in areas shunned by internet providers. The legislation also authorizes up to three cities or counties to band together and build broadband networks.

The bill’s supporters predict increased competition will lead to faster internet speeds and lower prices for consumers.

Broadband expansion bill heads to Governor's desk by Liz McCormick, West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Young people group "excited" about broadband bill by Alex Thomas, West Virginia Metro News

Broadband expansion is key to economic development by The Exponent Telegram Editorial Board

General

FCC chair wants to replace net neutrality with "voluntary" commitments by Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica

Broadband report: Prohibitive state rules run counter to popular opinion by Jason Shueh, StateScoop

Poll findings reflect a disconnect between public opinion and the lobbying efforts of large internet service providers like Comcast, AT&T and Time Warner Cable. Many have tried to limit competition by creating regulatory requirements that hinder smaller companies from entering the marketplace, according to the broadband advocacy group Next Century Cities.

Such obstacles notwithstanding, the faith in city leadership may be well-placed considering analyst expectations that the federal government will do little to ensure broadband competition under President Trump's leadership.

How to keep the government from breaking the Internet by Elizabeth Woyke, MIT Technology Review

70% support letting cities build their own broadband networks, so why are we still passing state laws banning it? by Karl Bode, TechDirt

Only in the USA: ISPs get tax dollars to build weak broadband by Caroline Craig, InfoWorld

Cities take proactive approaches to anti-muni broadband legislators by Craig Settles, Government Technology

Image of the Highlander bull courtesy of FrankWinkler via pixaby.