Community Broadband Media Roundup - July 17

Alabama

Why did Alabama stop pursuing rural Internet access? by Christopher Harress, AL.com

California

Telecom bill would hurt California's poorer, inland cities: Guest commentary by Sandra Armenta, San Bernardino County Sun

Senate Bill 649, by Sen. Ben Hueso, D-Chula Vista, is a give-away to the world’s largest telecom companies at the expense of local control, local public services and citizen voice in the future of our neighborhoods. The bill is crafted to pit California communities against each other and benefit those who are already at the top.

San Leandro, Calif., Chief Innovation Officer Deborah Acosta on creating a 'tech and innovation ecosystem' by Noelle Knell, Government Technology

Colorado

Superior urges slow approach to pursuit of faster, cheaper broadband by Anthony Hahn, Boulder Daily Camera

A future Superior, one connected by a plexus of sophisticated, townwide fiber that provides a growing number of homes and businesses faster internet at prices competing with the likes of Comcast, could be realized sooner than expected.

Connecticut

Internet gap puts Hartford's North End students behind by Elin Swanson Katz, Hartford Courant

Tennessee

Editorial: Buildling broadband access tough, necessary by Memphis News Staff, Memphis Daily News

Virginia

Virginia first to join public safety broadband network by Associated Press, idaho Statesman

Broadband project aims to connect Buchanan County residents to high-speed Internet service by Charles Boothe, Bluefield Daily Telegraph

Residents forming Internet cooperative by Laura McFarland, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Wisconsin

The digital divide between urban and rural areas remains, and some question government grants aimed at addressing it by Rick Barrett, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

When the service providers focus on short-term profit, rather than building the best possible network, it’s not good for rural America, said Christopher Mitchell with the Institute for Local Self Reliance, a Minneapolis nonprofit that helps communities with internet access issues.

General

Why the Internet fast lane has bypassed rural America by 1A, WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

Analysis: How will Microsoft's investment affect rural communities? by Craig Settles, The Daily Yonder

What’s really at issue here is that if communities are not holding the driving wheel on broadband projects and they don’t own or at least rent the vehicle, they are ultimately a passenger in someone else’s ride. At some point, the needs of the network owner could trump the needs of the community.

50 million US homes can't get 25 Mbps from more than one ISP by Karl Bode, TechDirt

Image of the cow in the pasture courtesy of DominikSchraudolf via pixaby.