Community Broadband Media Roundup - March 7

Connecticut

Connecticut high-speed Internet: Public or private utility? by John Dankosky & Tucker Ives, WNPR

Kentucky

This city's fight with AT&T could shape the future for Google Fiber by Brian Fung, Washington Post

Missouri

AT&T gave $62K to lawmakers months before vote to limit muni broadband by Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica

A few months before that vote, AT&T donated a total of $62,500 to political committees in Missouri. This included $20,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee, $20,000 to the Missouri Democratic State Committee, $7,500 to the Missouri Republican Party, and $15,000 to the Missouri Senate Campaign Committee (apparently a Republican group). One of the donations is listed by the Missouri Ethics Commission as occurring just two weeks ago, but we’ve been told it was made in September 2015 and not deposited until this month because the original check was lost.

AT&T donates $62.5K to Missouri lawmakers ahead of anti-muni broadband bill's passage by Sean Buckley, FierceTelecom

AT&T buying Missouri state law ensuring broadband there continues to suck by Karl Bode, TechDirt

North Carolina

MCNC CEO: N.C. will be the most connected state in the nation in four years by Lauren K. Ohnesorge, Triangle Business Journal

Virginia

Montgomery County leaders considering broadband initiative by Yann Ranaivo, Roanoke Times

Washington D.C.

This Councilmember wants to bring free, city-wide WiFi to DC by Chris Bing, DC Inno

The District has been a progressive leader in so many areas, but clearly lags behind other major metropolitans around the United States in this area. Municipal networks have emerged across the country as a critical tool for increasing online access, and driving local and regional economic development. District wide wireless would improve the quality and efficiency of District services and it will increase public safety.

General

It's been a great year for the FCC since saving the Internet by Joan McCarter, Daily Kos