Community Broadband Media Roundup - October 15

California

Fiber optic master plan proceeds in San Leandro by Christine Book, Smart & Resilient Cities 

Georgia

Georgia’s rural woes a big problem awaiting next governor by Max Blau, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Massachusetts

Councilor starts online petition about the need for municipal broadband by G. Michael Dobbs, The Reminder

Minnesota

Broadband a high priority for economic development by Keith Vandervort, The Timberjay (requires subscription)

North Carolina 

Wilson’s Gig East forum to explore future of work, innovation by Shannon Cuthrell, WRAL Techwire

“Gig East has become a forum for us to discuss emerging technology and the opportunities it presents for micropolitan communities. We are proud to be hosting our third annual event, bringing together the Triangle and Wilson communities for shared discussion.”

South Carolina 

South Carolina public-private partnership makes economic case for broadband by Colin Demarest, Aiken Standard

Nearly 12,000 Aiken County residents lack access to even the most basic Internet service, according to a connectivity study presented in September during a Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce breakfast forum.

Ohio

How students and administrators are working together to expand broadband Internet in the region by Tedi Delashmet, The Post 

Vermont

Not all Internet access is created equal by Jeremy Hansen, The Bridge

General

GAO: Tribes digital divide larger than FCC estimated by Laurel Morales, Fronteras 

The Federal Reserve is taking on the digital divide by Molly Wood, Marketplace Tech

Net neutrality explained: The digital postman shouldn’t charge twice by Ahmed Amer, San Francisco Chronicle

Northwest Native leaders talk about their own broadband struggles by Richard Walker, Indian Country Today 

Is broadband “wildly competitive’? by Doug Dawson, POTs and PANs 

Report: Rural broadband availability is vastly overestimated thanks to flawed FCC data by Joan Engebretson, Telecompetitor

Here’s how the FCC plans to defend its net neutrality repeal in federal court by Tony Romm, Washington Post

Stuck in mud: Broadband ‘disconnect’ has big consequences for midwest farmers by Whitelaw Reid, UVAToday 

Funding the USF broadband programs by Doug Dawson, POTs and PANs

FCC releases CAF broadband availability map by John Eggerton, MultiChannel News 

Closing the rural divide, which is a priority for Congress, the White House and FCC, depends on knowing where service is needed and where it is already being provided, though at what speed and price are factors that can cause disagreements between Democrats and Republicans over where sufficient service is deployed.