Image
Fast, affordable Internet access for all.
News
Speed Tests and Broadband Performance
In a light cap to a light-posting week, I wanted to note a post from Fiberevolution regarding speed tests.
Local Control Means Less Reliance on an Ineffective Federal Communications Commission
Confused about the inability of the Federal Communications Commission to regulate the massive telecom and broadband carriers? You are not alone.
Dalton's OptiLink Community Network Draws Praise
OptiLink, the community fiber network in Dalton, Georgia, has been chosen by local newspaper readers as the Best Internet Provider in 2010 - the third year in a row.
Private Sector Broadband Providers are Anti-Competition
We previously covered Qwest's admitted attempts to drive out competition in Utah, but the story has continued with the personal story of another subscriber forced to leave his independent service provider for
Camino Fiber Network Cooperative Seeks Funding
A brief update from the Camino Fiber Network Cooperative of El Dorado County in California - the Sacramento Bee ran an article earlier this summer covering the coop's approach to expanding broadband (though they
Chattanooga Takes Broadband to the Sticks
Last week I had the good fortune of spending 24 hours in Chattanooga to get a better sense of what the community is doing with their impressive broadband network, EPBFi. It was pretty amazing, especially for an outdoorsy-kinda-guy like me. Chattanooga has an impressive air about it, a place on the up-swing.
Sibley County Discusses Rural Fiber-to-the-Farm
Last night, I drove down to Winthrop (Sibley County) and then Fairfax (Renville County) to get a better sense of their discussions around next-generation broadband networks (originally covered here).
Canada Joins Rest of World With Open Access Requirement
Last year, when the Berkman Study (pdf) by Harvard (commissioned by the FCC) revealed the secret behind impressive broadband gains in nearly every country over the past decade, we hoped the FCC would learn something from it.
Salisbury's Fibrant Plans Beta Test, Senator Hoyle Admits Time Warner Wrote Bill to Stop It
A local news story from WCNC in North Carolina has caught national attention among some tech news sites. As reported by WCNC, Fibrant will start beta testing its community fiber network next month (which answers a question we have been wondering -- just what is happening down there?).
UTOPIA Gets Broadband Stimulus Award, Positive Op-Ed
The open access UTOPIA network in Utah has been awarded broadband stimulus funds that will allow the network to serve hundreds of community institutions in several communities, which will aid them in the continuing last-mile rollout.
The grant was awarded to begin connecting nearly 400 schools, libraries, medical an
Comcastic Contracts and Communication
I really try to focus on the many good things communities are doing rather than the many bad things done by massive companies like Comcast.
Cedar Falls Utilities Expands Broadband to Unserved Areas
A community-owned network, infused with broadband stimulus dollars, is bringing broadband to people stuck on long-distance dial-up for Internet access.
Cedar Falls Utilities, which recently announced an upgrade to FTTH from HFC, announced more good news last week: they have received an
Looking for Fast Broadband Networks? The South has a Few
I wrote a short piece for Tech Journal South, "Fastest and cheapest US broadband systems are city run in the South."
In it, I discuss some of leading broadband networks in the country - publicly owned systems in southern and southeastern states.
Minnesota Will Stand for Network Neutrality
Update: You can watch a recording of the event here.
In anticipation of the FCC discussion on Thursday night in Minneapolis (details here), I have a
The State of Broadband - InfoWeek Notes Impressive Muni Networks in Chattanooga and Lafayette
Jonathan Feldman's "The State of Broadband," in a July Information Week cover story, is a breath of fresh air. Too often, these articles are written by someone with little background who extrapolates after discussions with the PR wing of several big companies.
Presentation and Panel Discussion about Community Broadband
Craig Settles kicks off this event with a 45 minute presentation discussing what community networks should do to succeed financially and how they can go beyond simply making broadband access available to more people.
Opelika Votes Yes, Will Build Smart-Grid Fiber Network
Despite a coordinated campaign by cable incumbent Charter that offered little honest debate or accurate claims, the citizens of Opelika voted yes on their referendum to allow the city to build a broadband network.
FCC Hearing in Minneapolis on Thursday, August 19
If you can, come on out to influence public policy. The future of the Internet is indeed at stake - with massive corporations spending millions in a power grab for the future of the Internet. Take a few hours to show up and tell the FCC we want the Internet to be open to everyone. We'll be there to tell the FCC to ensure all communities have the right to build the network they need.
Network Neutrality: Google, Verizon, and Us
A few thoughts on the Google-Verizon talks and behind closed doors FCC stakeholder meetings with industry...
First, neither the FCC nor Google is likely to defend the interests of the vast majority of u