For our 50th episode, we’re trying something new: Lisa and I respond to three common claims made by opponents of community owned networks. We owe these three particular arguments to the Executive Director of the trade association of Wisconsin telephone companies. Each of the clips we respond to come from claims he made at a workshop … Read More
The United States has long recognized that everyone should have access to a telephone and has established a variety of government programs to achieve that end. In recent months, the Lifeline program has come under attack and some have labeled it the “Obamaphone” program. In this week’s Community Broadband Bits podcast, Sarah Morris joins us to … Read More
Today, we are deeply saddened at the news that Senator Frank Lautenberg has just passed away. Senator Lautenberg’s death is a loss for the nation as well as for our efforts to ensure communities have the authority to build Internet networks if they believe it a wise investment. The Senator and his staff have long been … Read More
At any conference dealing with building broadband networks, one hears talk of open trench policies or “dig once” approaches. For today’s episode of Community Broadband Bits, City Manager Scott Lazenby of Sandy, Oregon, joins us to talk about how Sandy has proactively placed conduit underground for fiber use. We discuss the instances where it is practical … Read More
The city of San Leandro has formed a partnership with a local company now named Lit San Leandro to expand business access to the Internet. We talk with San Leandro’s Chief Innovation Officer Deborah Acosta and Judi Clark, a consultant with Lit San Leandro, to learn more about their approach. San Leandro already had conduit assets … Read More
The North Georgia Network was the first recipient of a BTOP (Broadband Technology Opportunities Program) stimulus grant in the nation and has been an interesting success story. For the latest episode of our Community Broadband Bits podcast, President and CEO Paul Belk of the NGN joins us to discuss the history, present, and future of the … Read More
Eduardo Porter has an important column today in the business section of the New York Times, “Yanking Broadband From the Slow Lane.” He correctly identifies some of the culprits slowing the investment in Internet networks in our communities. The last two paragraphs read: Yet the challenge remains: monopolies have a high instinct for self-preservation. And more … Read More
This is a show I have been wanting to do for years – discussing some of the common mistakes that have been make by community owned networks. Offering broadband and other telecommunications services is a difficult business for any entity, public or private and all network owners make mistakes. The vast majority of these errors can … Read More
In the coming years, we will continue to see groups and elected officials funded by the big cable and telephone companies try to delegitimize any public sector investment in Internet networks. We have already endured a year of mostly-frivolous charges against BTOP and BIP stimulus programs. At times like this, it may be helpful to look … Read More
