New Treasury Rules: Good News for Community-Driven Broadband Solutions

Date: 2 Nov 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The U.S. Department of Treasury recently released the guidelines governing the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) — a $10 billion pot of money available to states, territories, and Tribal governments to confront the need for improved Internet connectivity exposed during the pandemic.… Read More

A Public Utility District in Washington Pursues Opportunities to Improve Internet Access

Date: 5 Oct 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Following hundreds of requests from community members urging the local Public Utility District (PUD) to address the lack of Internet access in Lewis County, Washington, the Lewis County PUD is answering the call with a proposal to construct an open access countywide fiber-to-the-home network.… Read More

A Community Guide to Federal Funding Opportunities for Broadband

Date: 28 Sep 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

This guide consolidates the different funding opportunities made available through various relief packages to assist communities interested in accessing federal funds to expand broadband infrastructure and digital inclusion services.… Read More

Amidst Fire Season, California City Devotes Relief Funds to Improve Communications Infrastructure

Date: 9 Sep 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

For local governments, fast, reliable, and resilient Internet service is crucial for public safety communications. When flames engulf the region, relaying critical emergency information with speed is paramount. Seconds matter. It’s equally important for citizens to get timely information on the course of wildfires, receive alert notifications or evacuation orders, and be able to connect with friends and family. … Read More

Vinton, Iowa’s Municipal Fiber Utility Offers Affordable, Locally Accountable Internet Access Amid Ongoing Pandemic

Date: 26 Aug 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Vinton, Iowa’s municipal communications utility, iVinton, connected its 1,000th subscriber with high-speed fiber optic Internet service this week. Demand for fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) connectivity across the 4.74-square-mile Iowa community (est. pop. 5,100) is so substantial that iVinton is having to schedule installations a month out as requests for residential service have surpassed the manpower available to complete them. … Read More

Maine Communities Vote To Establish Regional Broadband Utility

Date: 17 Jun 2021 | posted in: agriculture, MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Residents of three coastal Maine communities – Camden, Rockport, and Thomaston – have voted to support an interlocal agreement establishing the MidCoast Internet Development Corporation (MIDC), a nonprofit regional broadband utility in the Penobscot Bay Region of MidCoast Maine. The ultimate goal of MIDC is to build an open-access, Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) network to provide universal Internet access to improve connectivity and competition in the region.… Read More

Washington State Removes All Barriers to Municipal Broadband

Date: 14 May 2021 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Yesterday, following weeks of anticipation, State Gov. Jay Islee signed the Public Broadband Act (H.B. 1336), removing all restrictions on public broadband in the state of Washington, according to the bill’s primary sponsor, State Rep. Drew Hansen. This critical leap forward in Washington drops the number of states with laws restricting community broadband to 17. … Read More

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