Grassroots Broadband Groups Grow Across the U.S.

Date: 26 Sep 2017 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Community networks are hyper-local movements. As we have researched these networks, we have often uncovered the work of grassroots activists trying to make a difference in their cities. Today, we’ve gathered together a collection to show how small groups of local people can make a big difference.… Read More

Preemption, Local Authority, & Municipal Broadband (Episode 10)

Date: 26 Jan 2017 | posted in: Building Local Power, MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this episode, John Farrell, the director of ILSR’s Energy Democracy initiative, interviews Christopher Mitchell (our usual podcast host) and Lisa Gonzalez of our Community Broadband Networks initiative. The three discuss the power of municipal broadband networks, how the power held in cities is integral to these projects, and the barriers put in place by cable monopolies to prevent these networks.… Read More

Boston Globe Profiles Lafayette; OpenCape Inspired

Date: 18 Jun 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

 In a recent Boston Globe Opinion, Dante Ramos notes that Boston has a reputation as a technology hub. When seeking options and affordability, however, Ramos recounts the successful approach of Lafayette, Louisiana: Today, the top broadband speeds advertised to residential customers in Boston are about one-ninth of what’s available in Lafayette. A municipal network in Boston … Read More

Opportunities and Challenges as Lafayette Considers Muni Fiber Expansion – Community Broadband Bits Episode 144

Date: 31 Mar 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

After we heard that Lafayette’s LUS Fiber was considering expanding to some nearby communities, we knew we had to set up an interview with Terry Huval, Director of the Lafayette Utilities System in Louisiana. In our interview this week, Terry and I discuss Lafayette’s success, the legacy of the law creating special barriers that only apply … Read More

Lafayette Congratulates Wilson; Offers Support After FCC Ruling

Date: 3 Mar 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

When the FCC announced its intention last week to neutralize the negative impacts of Tennessee and North Carolina anti-muni laws, celebrating reached far beyond Chattanooga and Wilson. In Lafayette, home to LUS Fiber, City-Parish President Joey Durel took time to write a supportive letter to Wilson’s Mayor Bruce Rose. We reproduce the text of that letter … Read More

Correcting Community Fiber Fallacies: Attacks on LUS Fiber

Date: 15 Oct 2014 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In just the last year the Lafayette Utility System (LUS) gigabit network has attracted 1300 high-tech jobs. Chairman Wheeler praises the network for doing what many communities hope to do, but cannot because of state laws limiting municipal broadband networks. Critics are desperate to discredit the network, using false statements and misinformation. The Reason Foundation released a paper by Steven Titch … Read More

Correcting Community Fiber Fallacies: Attacks on LUS Fiber

Date: 13 Oct 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In just the last year the Lafayette Utility System (LUS) gigabit network has attracted 1300 high-tech jobs. Chairman Wheeler praises the network for doing what many communities hope to do, but cannot because of state laws limiting municipal broadband networks. Critics are desperate to discredit the network, using false statements and misinformation. The Reason Foundation released a paper by Steven … Read More

Correcting Community Fiber Fallacies: The Reality of Lafayette’s Gigabit Network

Date: 13 Oct 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks, Press Release | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In just the last year the Lafayette Utility System (LUS) gigabit network has attracted 1300 high-tech jobs. Chairman Wheeler praises the network for doing what many communities hope to do, but cannot because of state laws limiting municipal broadband networks. Critics are desperate to discredit the network, using false statements and misinformation. The Reason Foundation released a paper by Steven … Read More

Wheeler Praises Lafayette’s Network Deployment at NATOA Conference

Date: 10 Oct 2014 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

At the 2014 Annual Conference of the National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA), FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler praised Lafayette, Louisiana, home of muni LUS Fiber, during his keynote address.  Wheeler addressed a variety of issues, including wireless broadband, the drive to increase competition, and a thoughtful transition to IP based 911 service. While he … Read More

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