17 Mar 2010

In Minnesota, a de facto limit on broadband

by | Date: 17 Mar 2010 | posted in: information | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The vast majority of Minnesotans, like the rest of the country, are served by only two broadband suppliers:  the cable or telephone company. These companies generally want to maintain their monopolies because they can postpone upgrades while keeping prices and profits high.  Just about everyone else just wants a better choice among providers.

Here in Minnesota, Monticello has broken the mold with a smart investment in a publicly owned network.… Read More
11 Jan 2010

Op-Ed: Municipal fiber needs more FDR localism, fewer state bans

by | Date: 11 Jan 2010 | posted in: information | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Community-owned broadband is one way to bring fiber to smaller markets, but many states restrict the practice. Researcher Christopher Mitchell argues that it’s time for a bit more Roosevelt-style localism in US broadband. 

Following ILSR’s map showing states that preempt local authority to build Community Broadband Networks we published the following op-ed on the leading tech site Ars Technica.

… Read More
18 Nov 2009

ILSR Submits Comments to FCC on Publicly Owned Broadband

by | Date: 18 Nov 2009 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As the Federal Communications Commission continues to formulate a National Broadband Plan, ILSR has responded to a recent request for comments about the relationship between broadband and government.

We highlight the importance of publicly owned broadband networks by noting success stories and offering details on networks from Chattanooga, Burlington, Monticello, and Powell, Wyoming.  We also discuss lessons from publicly owned middle-mile networks and networks that connect core anchor institutions, like libraries and schools.… Read More
28 Sep 2009

Chattanooga Launches Nation’s Largest Muni Fiber Network

by | Date: 28 Sep 2009 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks, Press Release | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

ILSR is pleased to congratulate Chattanooga, Tennessee, for building the largest publicly owned, full fiber network in the United States.  Chattanooga’s public power utility, EPB, began offering telephone, broadband, and television services on its network on September 15.

This broadband network will allow smart-grid applications for the electrical utility as well as offer local support, faster speeds for both uploading and downloading.

… Read More
23 Sep 2009

FCC Turns Attention to Network Neutrality, Ensuring an Open Internet

by | Date: 23 Sep 2009 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission has taken a stand for network neutrality – the founding principle of openness of the Internet. In short, network neutrality means the entity providing you access to the Internet cannot interfere with the sites you choose to visit – it cannot speed them up or slow them down in order to increase their profits.  

Because most Americans get access to the Internet from large, absentee-owned profit-maximizing companies who are often de facto monopolies, we have to beware the gulf between community interests and the narrow interests of these companies. 

… Read More
18 Sep 2009

The Definition of Broadband Matters Greatly

by | Date: 18 Sep 2009 | posted in: information, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As the Federal Communications Commission creates a National Broadband Plan for the United States, it will have to decide whether to revise its definition of broadband.  On one side, ILSR and others demand a robust definition to encourage greater network infrastructure investment.  On the other, telecommunications companies want to keep the existing definition so they can claim they serve nearly everyone. 

In all the wrangling over how we should define broadband, I wanted to step back and remember why the definition itself is so important. 

… Read More

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