This is episode 226 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. Joining Christopher Mitchell are Will Aycock and Suzanne Coker Craig. They discuss the situation in Greenlight and Pinetops as well as the importance of connectivity during the recent hurricane. Listen to this episode here.

Suzanne Coker Craig: We just think it's phenomenally important to our town, to really the existence and survival of our town.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 226 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. As many of our listeners know, in February 2015, the FCC issued an order that preempted restrictive state laws in Tennessee and North Carolina. The FCC's order allowed Greenlight, the municipal network developed by Wilson's electric utility, to expand its Internet access, telephone and video services outside of Wilson County. Pinetops, a small community of about 1300 residents, was connected soon after the FCC ruling and the community, its businesses and residents, finally received the high quality connectivity they needed to step into the 21st century. This last August, the order was reversed by the 6th Circuit for the US Court of Appeals. Wilson had to stop offering service to Pinetops or risk losing the exemption to the state law. In other words, stop serving Pinetops or the state would shut them down completely. In this interview, Chris talks with Will Aycock, Greenlight's General Manager, and later, Suzanne Coker Craig, a Pinetops business owner and town commissioner. Will describes a situation in the area, especially since the onset of Hurricane Matthew, which has hit Pinetops hard, and how Wilson found a way to continue to help its neighbor. Suzanne describes what it was like before the community had high quality services from Greenlight. She also describes how important the services are for the town, and how Greenlight has gone above and beyond to help the people of Pinetops. Now, here's Will Aycock, General Manager of Greenlight, and Suzanne Coker Craig, Pinetops' Town Commissioner and local business owner.

This is episode 223 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. Eleven communities in Northern Utah are now served by a regional open access fiber-optic network, UTOPIA. Perry City's Mayor Karen Cronin and UTOPIA's Executive Director Roger Timmerman join the show. Listen to this episode here.

Karen Cronin: We don't have the money that some of the lobbyists are getting from big companies, but we have a voice and I think that our legislatures will listen to local voices if they have the courage to step forward.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 223 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. The Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency, also known as UTOPIA, began serving north-central Utah in 2004. The regional open access fiber-optic network has had its share of challenges since launch, but has slogged through them to now bring healthy competition to residents and businesses in 11 communities. Joining Chris this week are the mayor of one of the UTOPIA cities, Karen Cronin from Perry. Roger Timmerman, executive director of UTOPIA, is also part of the conversation. Our guests share stories about how competition has benefited local businesses and residents. They also describe infrastructure sign-up choices they have as property owners in a UTOPIA community and what it's like to have more than one or two ISPs at your feet. Now here are Chris, Mayor Cronin from Perry, and Roger Timmerman, executive director of UTOPIA.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another episode of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell. Today I'm speaking with two wonderful guests from the state of Utah. Roger Timmerman is the executive director of UTOPIA, the Utah Telecommunications Open Infrastructure Agency. Welcome to the show.

Roger Timmerman: Thank you. Thanks for having me on.

Christopher Mitchell: Perry City mayor, Karen Cronin. Welcome to the show.

Karen Cronin: Thank you. I'm delighted to be part of the conversation.

This is episode 222 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. Centennial, Colorado's Fiber Director Tim Scott joins the show to discuss conduit policy, dark fiber strategy, and Ting. Listen to this episode here.

Tim Scott: How do we create a more competitive environment and enable new entrants to look at the market and put together products and services, leveraging the city’s backbone that can create this new, competitive, compelling environment in Centennial?

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 222 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. In 2013, Centennial, Colorado voters chose overwhelmingly to opt out of the state's law that restricts local telecommunications authority. Since then, they've steadily advanced toward a plan to use their publicly owned fiber to bring better connectivity to the community. Last month, Internet service provider, Ting, announced that it would be partnering with Centennial to bring gigabit Internet service access via the city's publicly owned fiber-optic network. Tim Scott, the city's director of fiber infrastructure, joins Chris today to talk about Centennial's voyage from a new Denver suburb to a city that has the fiber to draw in a growing provider like Ting. He explains what the city has created and how, what providers are looking for, and offers more information about the new partnership. Now here are Chris and Tim Scott, director of fiber infrastructure from the city of Centennial, Colorado.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell. Today I'm speaking with Tim Scott, the director of fiber infrastructure for the city of Centennial, Colorado. Welcome to the show.

Tim Scott: Morning, Chris. Thanks for inviting me.

Christopher Mitchell: I got it right, Tim Scott?

Tim Scott: Yeah, you did. You got it right. Good job.

Christopher Mitchell: The community of Centennial, I've actually been down in that area, in the Denver metro area. Can you tell us a little bit about it?

This is episode 221 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. President and CEO of the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority joins the show to discuss the award-winning open access fiber-optic project. Listen to this episode here.

Frank Smith: We need to be an ingredient in what people need to be able to do what they want to accomplish.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 221 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast from the Institute of Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. Roanoke Valley, Virginia, has had some ups and downs as they planned and deployed an open access fiber-optic network, but they're now on course. This year they began providing a range of services for Internet service providers and local businesses. They're also bringing better connectivity to public facilities and community anchor institutions. Frank Smith, president and CEO of the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority, talks with Chris this week. In addition to explaining what the authority is, and describing its function, Frank explains the situation in the Roanoke Valley, which led to the decision to invest in the network. Frank provides information about how the authority is working to collaborate with different partners, and he also reflects on challenges and shares plans for the future. Learn more details at highspeedroanoke.net. Now, here are Chris and Frank Smith, president and CEO of the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell. Today I'm speaking with Frank Smith, the president and CEO of Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority, in Virginia. Welcome to the show.

Frank Smith: Thank you very much Christopher. It's a pleasure to be here.

Christopher Mitchell: Well, I'm excited to talk to you because I remember looking into this project in years back and seeing some fits and starts and hoping that someone would pull it all together. Over the course of this conversation, I think we'll discuss that. Let's just start off and let people know what is going on in Roanoke Valley and even more importantly, where and what is it.

This is episode 220 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. CEO David Corrado of Medina County Fiber Network in Ohio joins the show to discuss the role of the county's fiber infrastructure and their work with Internet service providers. Listen to this episode here.

David Corrado: It is the next infrastructure. It is needed for economic development just as a waterway, or a highway, or an airport.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 220 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. Medina County in Ohio is a growing community, in part because it’s located between Cleveland and Akron, but also because it has invested in fiber optic infrastructure. The county has aggressively pursued a more connected environment for economic development, and it’s working. In this interview, Chris talks with David Corrado, CEO of Medina County Fiber Network. He discusses the challenges, progress, and the history of how the community came to have its great asset. David also describes the role the county place and how they work with Internet service providers that use the infrastructure to serve customers. You can learn more details at medinacountyfibernetwork.com. Be sure to stick around after the conversation for a special treat at the end of this week’s show. Now, here are Chris and David Corrado, CEO of the network.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. I’m Chris Mitchell. Today, I’m speaking with David Corrado, the CEO of Medina County Fiber Network in Ohio. Welcome to the show.

David Corrado: Thank you Chris. How are you today?

Christopher Mitchell: I’m doing well. As we’re just joking a little bit about, and I actually I screwed it up in the first attempt, but it is Medina spelled M-E-D-I-N-A, which could be confused with Medina and that happens sometimes. Tell us a little bit about the section of Ohio you’re in. What kind of communities do you have?

This is episode 219 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. Christopher Mitchell travels to Saint Louis Park, Minnesota, to speak with the city's Chief Information Officer Clint Pires about conduit policy and apartment buildings. Listen to this episode here.

Clint Pires: Fiber is going to be a part of the future. Until we can go faster than the speed of light, that's probably going to be an important part of our communications infrastructure.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is Episode 219 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. This week Chris took a trip outside the studio to visit Saint Louis Park, Minnesota where he could talk with Clint Pires, the city's Chief Information Officer. Back in the 1990s, the community began to realize a vision that continues to evolve but always integrates its high-speed fiber optic network. In this interview Clint describes how the city's partnership with the school district started them on a path that has led to better connectivity for the municipality, local businesses, and even a number of the city's municipal dwelling units. Saint Louis Park is also implementing smart policies to expand the fiber infrastructure as a way to encourage choice of Internet access providers. Now here are Chris and Saint Louis Park, Minnesota's Chief Information Officer.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. I'm sitting here today with Clint Pires, the Chief Information Officer for the city of Saint Louis Park. Welcome to the show.

Clint Pires: Thanks a lot Chris, good to be with you.

Christopher Mitchell: Well I love talking to people in Minnesota, we're right here just a little outside Minneapolis. Why don't you tell us a little bit about Saint Louis Park for people who, I don't know, don't know where a New York Times columnist comes from.

Clint Pires: We do have a lot of famous people from Saint Louis Park, Todd Freeman being one of them.

Christopher Mitchell: Right, the Coen brothers might be my favorite.

This is episode 218 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. Pat Millen joins the show to describe how the North Carolina community organization Eliminate the Digital Divide (E2D) provides low-income families with laptops and Internet access. Listen to this episode here.

Pat Millen: I know for a fact that there are a lot of kids at this school that can't afford a computer, much less the Internet. What are we going to do about it?

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 218 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. The idea for Eliminate the Digital Divide, also known as E2D, began in 2012, and today the non-profit has grown by leaps and bounds. The North Carolina organization finds a way to bring computers and low-cost Internet access to school kids in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school system. Since Internet access is critical today for online homework assignments and research, Pat Millen and his family felt the need to help others. The next thing they knew, Pat was president and one of the co-founders of E2D, and the organization was working with volunteers, corporate supporters, and municipal leaders to get low-income students connected at home. E2D works with one of the municipal networks we cover, MI-Connection, to bring ongoing Internet access to families that use the program. Listen for how a publicly owned network approach of such a program that is meant to lift up members of the community. For more on the organization, check out the E2D website at e-2-d.org. Now here are Chris and Pat Millen, co-founder and president of Eliminate the Digital Divide.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell and today I'm speaking with Pat Millen, a co-founder and president of E2D, Eliminate the Digital Divide. Welcome to the show.

Pat Millen: Thanks for having me, Chris.

Christopher Mitchell: The last time we talked, we were on a webinar with Next Century Cities, and I made a little joke about E2D and wondering if that was named after a Star Wars character. It was such a good joke I decided to bring it back, inexplicably perhaps. Tell me, how did Eliminate the Digital Divide come to be?

This is episode 217 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. Christopher Mitchell and Lisa Gonzalez discuss the recent case of Tennessee and North Carolina versus the FCC. Listen to this episode here. 

Christopher Mitchell: I think it moved us forward. It unfortunately has not removed the barriers permanently, but we are in a better place because of it.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 217 of The Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. On August 10th, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit filed its opinion in the case of the states of Tennessee and North Carolina versus the FCC. As you probably already know, the case was based on a February 2015 ruling in which the FCC preempted state laws that restricted municipal Internet networks. You probably also know that the court found in favor of the states and reversed the FCC's ruling. In this podcast, Chris and I discuss the courts decision and what we think the future holds for communities affected by it. We also discuss next steps and what this ultimately means for the municipal broadband movement and the fight to restore local authority. To read about the decision and the history of the case that was commenced by the cities of Wilson and Chattanooga, check out our stories on MuniNetworks.org. We've collected the opinions, briefs, and a number of stories as the case unfolded. Here we go.

Christopher Mitchell: Hey Lisa. Welcome back to the office.

Lisa Gonzalez: Hey Chris, glad to be back.

Christopher Mitchell: What's more terrifying, working with me on a daily basis or the roller coasters of Cedar Point in Ohio?

Lisa Gonzalez: No comment.

Christopher Mitchell: Well, you came back and we're beyond time where we should talk about the Sixth Circuit decision on the podcast.

Lisa Gonzalez: Yes, it did happen a while ago and we've been licking our wounds.

This is episode 216 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. Fred Goldstein, a principal at Interisle Consulting, returns for part II of "What is the Internet?" with Christopher Mitchell. Listen to this episode here.

(Listen to part I of the discussion in episode 213.)

Fred Goldstein: The Internet is not a thing, the Internet is a phenomenon.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 216 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Welcome, I'm Lisa Gonzalez. Just 3 weeks ago we introduced you to Fred Goldstein, the principal of Interisle Consulting. He and Chris had an in-depth discussion about past FCC decisions that have influenced where we are now as we consider the question, “What is the Internet?” Well, Fred is back again with more on history, and how our perspective of the Internet, both upper- and lowercase I, has, and will influence innovation. Check out Fred’s firm at Interisle.net to learn more about their work, and about Fred’s extensive experience in telecommunications. Now, here are Fred and Chris.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. I’m Chris Mitchell, and today I’m returning with Fred Goldstein, a principal of the Interisle Consulting Group. Welcome to the show.

Fred Goldstein: Thank you Chris, glad to be here.

Christopher Mitchell: We’re having you back to continue our discussion. Previously we got into a longer history of how we got to the Internet. I think, in some ways, the telecommunications policies that allowed the Internet to develop. And when we finished, you had just told us what the Internet is. Now, I wonder if you wouldn’t mind just briefly reminding people what the Internet is?

This is episode 215 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. Steve Johnston, Executive Director of Open Cape, describes the future possibilities of the open access, middle mile network on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Listen to this episode here. 

This podcast transcript provided through Rev.com.

Steve Johnston: It's about revitalizing the Cape and Islands in Southeastern Mass while maintaining that village mentality that people love when they come to New England.

Lisa Gonzalez: This is episode 215 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast, from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Welcome, I'm Lisa Gonzalez. Open Cape, a Massachusetts non-profit, open access, middle mile network, has been providing services to Southeastern Massachusetts since 2013. At first, the network just connected community anchor institutions, but now it offers fiber connectivity to businesses as well. In this episode, Chris talks with Steve Johnston, Open Cape's executive director, who takes us through some of the changes that Open Cape has experienced in the past several years, and how the community has benefited. Steve also describes more changes in store, and how they plan to move into the future. Check out their website, OpenCape.org, to learn more about what Open Cape has done, and where they're going, and look for our stories at MuniNetworks.org. Now here are Chris, and Steve Johnston, executive director of Open Cape.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another addition of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell, and today I'm speaking with Steve Johnston, the executive director of Open Cape, out there in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Welcome to the show.

Steve Johnston: Thanks Chris, it's good to be here.

Christopher Mitchell: I'm excited to get a better sense of what's going on. You've had some pretty great developments recently, but as always I like to start by giving people a little bit of a background. What was the genesis of Open Cape?