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Cable Company Ripping Off Houston
Amy Davis, Investigative Reporter for Click2 Houston.com and local channel 2, reports that Wave Vision, a Houston cable company, is not up to the task in the Lone Star State. According to Davis, the cable company may soon lose its license in Houston.
Audio of Dirty Trick Push Poll in Lafayette from 2005
We sometimes fail to communicate the great lengths to which big cable and telecommunications companies will go to intimidate and scare voters into opposing a community broadband projects. They have deployed a variety of dirty tricks and we have done a poor job of cataloging them.
But a recent phone call with John St.
Antitrust Enforcement Yields Increased Investment in Wireless
We have long argued that smart antitrust policy promotes investment and competition in the market. Allowing a few firms to consolidate too much power allows them to ignore our needs because we lack alternative service providers. In economic terms, they can use their market power to prevent market entry from innovative new firms.
Travel Back in Time with Trent Lott
"I think the rural electric associations, the municipalities, and the investor-owned utilities, are all positioned to make a real contribution in this telecommunications area, and I do think it is important that we make sure we have got the right language to accomplish what we wish to accomplish here." - Fmr. Sen. Trent Lott (R-Mississippi)
Protecting Local Authority Against ALEC and AT&T Attacks
Forbes' CIO Network carried this article co-authored by our own Christopher Mitchell and Todd O’Boyle, the Program Director for the Media and Democracy Reform Initiative at
Fiberhoods New Destination for Start-Up Businesses
As more and more businesses consider broadband a critical utility, property demand reflects the need for high-speed Internet. In Kansas City, property designated as a future Fiberhood is already in high demand.
Extensive Fiber Route Snaking Its Way Across Michigan
The nonprofit Merit Network, Inc., of Michigan, started in 1966 as a way to provide networking help to the state's research and educational facilities across the state.
Oct. 24th Digital Dialogue on Community Networks
On October 24th, tune to the Media Action Grassroots Network for a discussion on community networks and their contribution to the areas that create them. MAG-Net will be hosting a Digital Dialogue at 10 a.m. PST / 1 p.m. EST.
Gamers Lament Telcos Inability to Keep Up
"We have to worry about broadband when we should be thinking about making better games." - Eidos Presdent Ian Livingstone at the Broadband World Forum in Amsterdam, October 17, 2012.
UTOPIA Makes Red Cross More Efficient, Cost Effective
In 1881, Clara Barton started the American Red Cross as a way to offer relief to victims of disaster. Coordinating relief in the face of crisis will always be challenging, but now UTOPIA, the publicly owned, open access FTTH network in Utah, makes it easier and more economical.
The Incredible Incompetence of Comcast
What happens when economies of scale are taken to ridiculous proportions? The wretched customer service of Comcast, AT&T, Etc.
We recently had to move our Institute for Local Self-Reliance office within Minneapolis due to our old building being razed shortly for student condos.
Rural Broadband Stimulus Project in New Mexico Threatened, Saved
A last mile broadband project in Taos, New Mexico, encountered a temporary snag and appears to be back on track. The situation highlights the potential conflict created between federal and state entities. State officials acted to show their support and now expect the project to continue.
Help Get the Word Out About Community Networks
What will we be talking about that the National Conference for Media Reform in Denver, April 5-7 of 2013?
Port Angeles' "The Mesh" Up and Running
Citywide Internet will soon be available as a monthly service in Port Angeles on Washington's Olympic Peninsula. Mayor Cherie Kidd, Police Chief Terry Gallagher, and Councilwoman Brooke Nelson participated in a ceremonial "cable cutting" event last week.
Another Maryland Community Explores Network Possibilities
Not long ago, we brought you news about the status of the new network being constructed in Carroll County, Maryland. The County is partnering with local Maryland Broadband Cooperative to provide better service to local businesses.
"Models for Building Local Broadband" Forum Archive Now Available
On September 19th, the Urbana Champaign Independent Media Center (UCIMC) hosted "Models for Building Local Broadband: Public, Private, Coop, Nonprofit." Christopher Mitchell was one of several panelists who discussed local broadband options and challenges.<
Chattanooga Fiber Network Reduces Cost of Electricity to All Customers
The Chattanooga Gig continues to benefit the community.
SMBS Will Expand with 4G Wireless
We have shared updates on Southwest Minnesota Broadband Services (SMBS) as they roll out their fiber routes in Jackson and surrounding towns. Now, we want to share info about their use of wireless to compliment the fiber network.
Doc Searls on the Internet
Doc Searls is a terrific thinker who "gets" the Internet. He was one of several responsible for The Cluetrain Manifesto and his most recent book - The Intention Economy is on my short list of to-read books.
This video is no longer available.
Ohio Legislation Threatens Rural Landline Phone Service
Once again, consumers must fight to preserve their landline telephone service. This time, the Ohio General Assembly is pondering legislation that can end traditional service for up to 1 million Ohio residents.