Tag: "transcript"

Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 393

Posted February 5, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 393 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, Christopher speaks with Mariel Triggs and Edyael Casaperalta from MuralNet about tribal connectivity and wireless spectrum. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

Legal Disclaimer: MuralNet employees and contractors are not attorneys. Services offered and statements from MuralNet in this podcast are not legal advice or opinion.

 

 

Edyael Casaperalta: I know that your work, Chris, is always about supporting communities that want to connect themselves on their own terms and I see the Tribal Priority Window as providing that opportunity for tribes.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 393 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. On February 3rd, 2020 the FCC opened the Rural Tribal Priority Window to allow rural tribes the opportunity to directly access unassigned spectrum over their tribal lands. This is a unique and empowering opportunity. On native lands, Internet access companies rarely deploy the necessary Internet access infrastructure. Our guests this week, Mariel Triggs and Edyael Casaperalta from MuralNet, have been helping to spread the word to tribal communities to make sure they know that the window will be open until August 3rd, 2020. In this conversation, we learn more about the history of 2.5 GHz spectrum over tribal lands and why the spectrum is a good solution for communities living there. We learn about leases and licenses for fixed wireless spectrum and find out more about who controls them. These are some of the factors that have negatively impacted the ability for tribes to have Internet access.

Lisa Gonzalez: Our guests also offer valuable information about the basic criteria that tribes need to meet to take advantage of this opportunity and some of the possible uses of the spectrum. Even if a tribal community isn't interested in building a community network, obtaining access to spectrum over their land will allow them to control the airwaves. Learn more about the Tribal Priority Window by going to fcc.gov and searching for tribal window. Now here's Christopher talking with Mariel Triggs and Edyael Casaperalta from...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 392

Posted January 29, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 392 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this interview, Christopher speaks with Valerie Dodd, Director of Longmont, Colorado's NextLight network about their successes with marketing, customer services, and digital inclusion. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Valerie Dodd: Really it was rolled out to serve the community. You ask the community and they're just delighted.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to Episode 392 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. Longmont, Colorado's NextLight Fiber-to-the-Home network has often been in the spotlight as an example of what a local community can accomplish with publicly owned Internet network infrastructure. This week, director Valerie Dodd visits with Christopher. Christopher and Valerie look back at the decisions the city made that have paid off and how they've dealt with specific challenges. They discuss accomplishments including an incredible take rate and how putting subscribers first has helped them achieve glowing reviews. They also talk about the city's digital inclusion efforts and what's next in expanding access. Now here's Christopher talking with Valerie Dodd from NextLight in Longmont, Colorado.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another episode of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell for the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in St Paul recording from home today where I just have to brag about this. We're about to get six to 10 inches of snow and I am just so excited, and I'm talking to someone who knows that same feeling, Valerie Dodd, the director of NextLight in Longmont, Colorado. Welcome to the show.

Valerie Dodd: Thank you so much, Chris. I'm super happy to be here. Are you suggesting that we may be getting six inches of snow tonight?

Christopher Mitchell: No, but in the time between I'm recording this and the time in which it airs, it's possible that you'll get a foot of snow. You never know what's going to happen.

Valerie Dodd: Well I sure hope so, because I've got a three-day weekend and the snow mountains near me and I'm excited about it.

...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 391

Posted January 23, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 391 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, Christopher interviews Director of Technology Services Dave Williams about Ponca City, Oklahoma's new fiber network. Read the transcript below, or listen to the episode.

 

 

Dave Williams: So as we become more competitive when it comes to attracting businesses, we stand a chance of surviving into the future that way.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 391 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast, from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez.

Lisa Gonzalez: For a long time now, Christopher has wanted to bring a representative from Ponca City, Oklahoma on the podcast. Dave Williams, Director of Technology Services joins him today. Known as a pioneer in city Wi-Fi, the community has recently launched a fiber network utility for residents. Dave shares some historical perspective, discusses the utility and describes how it fits in and collaborates with the city's other utilities.

Lisa Gonzalez: He talks about Ponca City's free city-wide Wi-Fi, including successes and challenges that have arisen. Christopher and Dave discuss the community's decision to expand Fiber-to-the-Home, marketing the new service and going the extra mile to make the service subscriber friendly. Now here's Christopher talking with Dave Williams from Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another episode of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance up in Minneapolis. Today I'm speaking with Dave Williams, the Director of Technology Services in Ponca City, Oklahoma. Welcome to the show.

Dave Williams: No, thank you. Thanks for having me.

Christopher Mitchell: Oh, I was just telling you before we started the interview. I'm quite excited. I think what you've done in Ponca City is fascinating. We're going to talk about wireless. We're going to talk about fiber optics. We're going to talk about things more than 20 years ago, and it's wonderful. But let's start off by getting a sense of what Ponca City's like.

Dave Williams: Ponca City's in North Central Oklahoma. We're about 20...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 390

Posted January 16, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is episode 390 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, Christopher interviews Bear Prairie from Idaho Falls Power and Fiber and Kim McKinley from UTOPIA Fiber about the utilities' cross-state fiber partnership. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Bear Prairie: It's one of those things of if you build it, create the awareness and understanding, it starts to snowball.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 390 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. In October 2019, Idaho Falls city leaders decided to move ahead with a plan to expand the municipal fiber network to residents citywide. They've enlisted UTOPIA Fiber to help them with the process in order to ensure the success of their open access approach. In this interview, Christopher talks with Bear Prairie from Idaho Falls Power and Fiber, and Kim McKinley who's representing UTOPIA Fiber. They discuss the partnership, the pilot project, and the decision to expand the use of the fiber that has served Idaho Falls for years. We learn more about the process community leaders pursued to be sure residents were interested in fiber to the home service, a little about how they select ISPs to operate on the publicly owned infrastructure, and the advantages the network has brought to the electric utility. Now here's Christopher talking with Kim McKinley and Bear Prairie.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another episode of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. We're back in 2020. We're talking today to Bear Prairie, the general manager of Idaho Falls Power and Fiber. Welcome to the show.

Bear Prairie: Thank you Chris.

Christopher Mitchell: We also have a returning guest, Kim McKinley, the Chief Marketing Officer for UTOPIA in Utah. Welcome back, Kim.

Kim McKinley: Thanks. I'm excited to be here.

Christopher Mitchell: Bear, let's start with you, and tell us a little bit about the Idaho Falls area. I've actually flown into it twice, once on a very small plane, and I've driven through it and out through, I suppose that's Wyoming. And just a beautiful, lovely area. So tell us more about it....

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits NC Bonus Episode 4

Posted January 13, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 4 of the Why NC Broadband Matters series on the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, Christopher interviews Jane Smith Patterson about the history of broadband in the state and how it can move forward. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Jane Smith Patterson: We just need everybody to pitch in and say, "Hey, we've got dirt roads out here. They really are what we call copper and we need you to pave those roads. Give us some fiber."

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to another special episode of the community broadband bits podcast and our new podcast series — Why NC broadband matters. I'm Lisa Gonzalez with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NC broadband matters is a North Carolina nonprofit. Their mission is to attract, support and champion the universal availability of affordable, reliable, high-capacity Internet access which is necessary for thriving local communities, including local businesses and a local workforce so each can compete in the global economy. The group has created the North Carolina chapter of CLIC, The Coalition for Local Internet Choice. We're collaborating with NC Broadband Matters to present this series that touches on issues that while certainly affect folks in North Carolina also impact people in other States. In this fourth episode, which is titled North Carolina's Unique Broadband History and Lessons for Moving Forward, Christopher talks with Jane Smith Patterson. Jane Smith Patterson is one of the state's broadband leaders. Her family has roots in North Carolina that go back centuries and she's dedicated her life to equal and civil rights and digital technology. She's worked for three presidents for North Carolina's governors and in the private sector. You'll hear her mention the first United States rural Internet access authority known for a time as the RIAA, which later became the ENC authority. She's led the charge to connect rural communities across the state. Jane's list of accomplishments is too long for me to mention here, but she's just the person we need to discuss North Carolina's unique broadband history and to offer wisdom looking forward. In addition to talking about some of the specifics that explain why North...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 388

Posted January 13, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 388 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, the Community Broadband Networks team reviews their predictions from 2019 and makes new predictions for 2020. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Christopher Mitchell: Hi everyone. Welcome to another episode of community broadband bits. It's nice to be back in the office.

Katie Kienbaum: Chris, I think you mean community brooooadband bits

Christopher Mitchell: podcast.

Katie Kienbaum: I think they got that from, you know, the fact that we're in their ears right now.

Christopher Mitchell: I really wonder about the sound quality. I'm pretty sure that you went to 11.

Katie Kienbaum: I could try it again.

Christopher Mitchell: Hey everyone, that's Katie. I'm Chris. We have the largest community broadband bits podcast ever today. I think for our special year end and new year prediction show. Michelle was leaning forward to introduce herself.

Michelle Andrew: Hi, I am Michelle.

Christopher Mitchell: Michelle does our broadband mapping in data type stuff. Katie does a lot of research, she may have seen her working on rural issues and open access and whatever else I feel like assigning to her in any given time. Then we have our two people who've been on the show a little bit more often.

Jess Del Fiacco: This is Jess del fiacco, the communication specialist with the community broadband team here.

Lisa Gonzalez: And this is Lisa, the one who has to edit this thing, who is going to wring Katie's neck.

Katie Kienbaum: Like I said, I can do it again if you need me to.

Christopher Mitchell: Maybe from the hallway. And we're at the Institute for local self reliance where we are talking about things that, well I guess we're going to reflect over the past year and talk about what we might be looking out for in the coming year in 2020, the coming decade perhaps, who knows? I think we should turn to Lisa to ask her where we should start.

Lisa Gonzalez: Well usually what we start with...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 389

Posted January 3, 2020 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 389 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, Christopher speaks with Mayor Gary Fuller from Opelika, Alabama, about the city's decision to privatize its broadband network in order to serve more people. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Gary Fuller: At&t has a very big stick and some of these areas in North Auburn that we wanted to serve, they didn't particularly want to serve them, but they didn't want Opelika to serve them either and we were willing and able to do that.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 389 of the community broadband bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. The last time Mayor Gary Fuller from Opelika, Alabama was on the podcast was 2013. He came on to talk about his city's exciting new designation as the state's first gigabit community. A lot has happened since then. They deployed to the entire city and sought to expand to nearby Auburn but Alabama state restrictions prevented them from serving the city just a few miles away. After multiple attempts to change the state law, all flooded by dozens of lobbyists from incumbent At&t, community leaders and Opelika realized that the best option was to privatized the network, which they did in 2018. Mayor Fuller is back on the show this week and though you don't hear them in the interview, he's accompanied by Derek Lee, director of Opelika power services and Joey Motley, city administrator, the Mayor who spearheaded the project and led the community shares the Opelika story. He describes why the town decided they needed to bring some Internet access, competition to town, the challenges they faced, and the details behind the sale. For more on Opelika story go back to podcast episode 40 from April of 2013 and check out our coverage at muninetworks.org. Now here's Christopher talking with mayor Gary Fuller from Opelika, Alabama.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another episode of the community broadband bits podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance up in a rather chilly Minneapolis this morning and I'm speaking with Mayor Fuller from Opelika, Alabama. Welcome back to the show, Mayor Fuller.

Gary Fuller: Hey, great...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits NC Bonus Episode 3

Posted December 21, 2019 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for the third episode of our special Community Broadband Bits series, Why NC Broadband Matters. In this episdoe, Christopher speaks with his interviewees about how inaccurate mapping affects broadband funding and planning in North Carolina and how we can fix it. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Brian Rathbone: And so I think we've made progress, we'll continue to make progress, but right now the fact that there's federal dollars are being spent without sufficient understanding of the true on-the-ground service, I think is indicator enough that we need to continue to concentrate on this.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to a special episode of the Community Broadband Bits podcast and our new podcast series, Why NC Broadband Matters. I'm Lisa Gonzalez with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NC Broadband Matters is a North Carolina nonprofit. Their mission is to attract support and champion the universal availability of affordable, reliable, high capacity Internet access, which is necessary for thriving local communities, local businesses, and a local workforce to enable them to compete in the global economy. The group has created the North Carolina chapter of CLIC, the Coalition for Local Internet Choice. We are collaborating with NC Broadband Matters to present this series that touches on issues that while certainly affect folks in North Carolina also impact people in other states. Our third episode is titled Broadband Mapping Means Money: Understanding how Data Drives Decisions. You've heard from us and from other organizations about the problem with mapping data. Most grants and loans established to connect unserved and underserved communities are based on FCC data that overstates coverage. Today's guests are working to change that. First, Christopher speaks with Brian Rathbone, cofounder of Broadband Catalysts. They get deeper into the problem as it relates to topology and federal mapping. Then Christopher talks with Jeff Sural from the North Carolina Department of Information Technology where the state is working to improve the data they use to determine where folks need better Internet access. Now here's Christopher with Brian and Jeff to talk about mapping.

...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 387

Posted December 21, 2019 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 387 of the Community Broadband Bit's podcast. In this episode, Christopher interviews Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting, who shares his advice for communities interested in improving local connectivity. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Doug Dawson: It's no longer should we do it, it's how do we do it and that's a giant change.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 387 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. Many listeners already know Doug Dawson from CCG Consulting. He's been on the podcast before often meeting up with Christopher at events to sit down and discuss current happenings. Both are attending the broadband communities economic development event in Alexandria, Virginia when Christopher decided he wanted to hear some advice for communities from the man who has worked with so many of them over the years. Doug explains how many of his clients are no longer asking if they can improve broadband, but turned to him for advice on how to do it — they know it's critical. He talks about the feasibility study process and how a high level of communities that hire him for studies are following through and moving forward with his recommendations. Doug gets into some of the reasons why local communities are making broadband investments and explains why it isn't always a good choice for every community. Be sure to check out Doug's blog, POTsandPANsbyCCG.com. Now, here's Christopher talking with Doug Dawson from CCG Consulting with advice for communities.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another edition of the Community Broadband Bits podcast, early morning live edition. I couldn't quite hit that intro the way I like to, but this is Chris Mitchell coming to you from Alexandria, Virginia, where we're at the broadband communities event. It's been a wonderful event, I'm talking about economic development and local governments for the most part. I'm here with Doug Dawson, a repeat guest, founder and owner of CCG Consulting. Welcome back!

Doug Dawson: Hi Chris!

Christopher Mitchell: It's been a fun event. We had a chance to talk a little bit yesterday and one of the things I...

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Transcript: Community Broadband Bits Episode 386

Posted December 21, 2019 by Katie Kienbaum

This is the transcript for episode 386 of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. In this episode, Christopher talks with folks from Medina County Fiber Network and Lit Communities about their partnership that's helping connect Ohio bussinesses and soon residents over an open access network. Listen to the episode, or read the transcript below.

 

 

Brian Snider: This is something that I think will continue to happen across the country with municipal broadband and private capital getting injected in.

Lisa Gonzalez: Welcome to episode 386 of the community broadband bits podcast from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. I'm Lisa Gonzalez. We've interviewed guests on the podcast before that discuss different types of collaboration. This week we have three people who are here to talk about the new partnership in Ohio that centers around the Medina County Fiber Network. We've had one of them on the show before, David Corrado, CEO of the network and this time he's joined by Brian Snider and Ben Lewis-Ramirez from Lit Communities. In this conversation, we learn more about Lit Communities. David also provides a refresher on the Medina County Network's progress and why they decided it was time to bring services to residents. Christopher, David, Brian and Ben also talk about the partnership between the network and Lit communities and their new entity, Medina Fiber, and the plans they have to serve residents. We get to learn about how private capital is playing a part in this community-based project, more about the model and some of the innovative services that Medina Fiber will offer the local community. Now here's Christopher talking with David Corrado from the Medina County Fiber Network and with Brian Snider and Ben Lewis-Ramirez from Lit communities.

Christopher Mitchell: Welcome to another episode of the community broadband bits podcast. I'm Chris Mitchell at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance in sunny, if chilly, Minneapolis. Today I'm speaking with a trio of folks that are doing a pretty exciting project together. I'm going to start by introducing Brian Snider, the CEO of Lit communities. Welcome to the show!

Brian Snider: Thanks, Chris. Good to be here.

Christopher Mitchell: We...

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