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ILSR Press Room filed under Broadband | Written by Nick Stumo-Langer | No Comments | Updated on Jun 20, 2017

Are City-Owned Municipal Broadband Networks Better?

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/are-city-owned-municipal-broadband-networks-better/

Consumer Reports – June 20, 2017 Written by James K. Wilcox Cable providers are among the least-loved companies in Consumer Reports surveys. Some of the biggest—such as Comcast and Spectrum—earn low scores in multiple categories, including value and customer service. Unfortunately, consumers have few options. A 2015 White House study found that three out of… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Jun 16, 2017

Electric Cooperative, County Collaborate To Expand Fiber-to-the-Home in Rural Virginia

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/electric-cooperative-county-collaborate-to-expand-fiber-to-the-home-in-rural-virginia/

Prince George County, Virginia, and its electric cooperative recently entered into an agreement that will allow Prince George Electric Cooperative (PGEC) to offer Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) to certain areas in the county. The arrangement came after a successful pilot project that proved residents and businesses in the rural community were interested in better connectivity. The agreement… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Hannah Trostle | No Comments | Updated on May 29, 2017

Rural Telephone Cooperative Forges Its Own Path In Michigan

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/rural-telephone-cooperative-forges-its-own-path-in-michigan/

Can’t get telephone or Internet service? Have you tried starting your own company? In 1998, John Reigle did just that with the support of the community and Michigan State University. Today, Allband Communications Cooperative provides not only telephone service, but also cutting-edge, high-quality Internet access and environmental research opportunities in rural Northeastern Michigan. A Story Of… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Kate Svitavsky | No Comments | Updated on May 24, 2017

Fort Collins, CO, Considering November Ballot Measure

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/fort-collins-co-considering-november-ballot-measure/

After tentative plans to work with a private sector partner fell through, Fort Collins is still moving forward. The city wants the option to provide residents and businesses with gigabit connectivity as a municipal service, necessitating a ballot initiative in November to change the city charter. The ballot initiative would allow the Light and Power Utility to… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on May 16, 2017

Traverse City, Michigan Picks A Path To Bring Fiber To Its Residents

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/traverse-city-michigan-picks-a-path-to-bring-fiber-to-its-residents/

After long deliberation, utility board members in Traverse City have taken a firm step toward Internet infrastructure in order to improve connectivity in Michigan’s “Cherry Capital of the World.” The board of Traverse City Light & Power (TCL&P) voted unanimously to adjust their six-year capital improvement plan to include the cost of a citywide fiber… Continue reading

Article, ILSR Press Room filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 16, 2017

Municipal Broadband Expertise Drives Coverage Of Tennessee Broadband Bill

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/ilsr-expertise-drives-coverage-of-tn-broadband-bill/

Various Outlets – April 11th, 2017 through April 14th, 2017 When state legislators in Tennessee recently passed the Broadband Accessibility Act of 2017, tech writers quoted our Christopher Mitchell, who pointed out that the proposal has some serious pitfalls. Christopher’s statement appeared in several articles: “Tennessee taxpayers may subsidize AT&T to build DSL service to Chattanooga’s… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Apr 12, 2017

Pew Survey Reveals Overwhelming Support For Municipal Broadband Networks

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/pew-survey-reveals-overwhelming-support-for-municipal-broadband-networks/

A new Pew Research Center survey reveals that 70 percent of adults, regardless of political leanings, believe local governments should be able to invest in municipal Internet networks. Local Authority Has No Party The survey, conducted March 13 – 27 supports the finding that local authority for telecommunications decisions is a bipartisan notion. On closer… Continue reading

Featured Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 23, 2017

Legislative and Broadband Relief For Pinetops, North Carolina In Sight

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/legislative-and-broadband-relief-for-pinetops-north-carolina-in-sight/

Since August 2016, the small community of Pinetops has been on the verge of losing their best connection to the 21st century – high quality Internet access. The North Carolina Legislature has a chance to change all that this session with legislation that will carve out an exception to restrictive state laws that prevent a… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 21, 2017

Shutesbury, Massachusetts to Charter Communications: “No Thanks, Bye.”

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/shutesbury-massachusetts-to-charter-communications-no-thanks-bye/

Even though they don’t have to chip in any local funds, the town of Shutesbury, Massachusetts, rejected Charter’s proposal to build a hybrid fiber coaxial network in their community. They don’t consider the proposal a “good long-term solution to bring broadband to our town” and prefer to build a publicly owned fiber-optic network for future-proof technology, provider accountability, and… Continue reading

Article filed under Broadband | Written by Lisa Gonzalez | No Comments | Updated on Mar 4, 2017

The Next Trash Bill: Georgia’s HB 336

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at https://ilsr.org/the-next-trash-bill-georgias-hb-336/

Earlier this legislative session, we followed legislation in Virginia, which would have negatively impacted municipalities’ ability to use their publicly owned infrastructure to improve connectivity. We’re now watching a bill in Missouri that’s been resurrected from legislation that died last year. Another state bill just appeared on our radar in Georgia that interferes with local community authority by prescribing stringent rules on permitting and applications. Continue reading