Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Construction starts of $100 million internet network in Kenosha. The privately built network would be the first of its kind in Wisconsin.
ILSR is cited for its research and mapping of open-access networks.… Read More
A New Tool to Track Federal Funding for Affordable Broadband
In May, we published a story about the fate of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), based on a prediction model we built that was intended to visualize how long we might expect the $14.2 billion fund to last before needing new Congressional appro…… Read More
Wired: This Man Built His Own ISP. Now He’s Getting $2.6M to Expand It
Muninetworks.org is cited in telling the story of a Michigan man who built his own ISP network and is now getting government funding to expand it to more of his neighbors. … Read More
A Movement to Mend Digital Inequities — Episode 155 of Building Local Power
Reggie Rucker and Luke Gannon are joined by guests Shayna Englin and DeAnne Cuellar who discuss how the digital divide is closely tied to housing, healthcare, immigration, and civic education concerns. As the pandemic moved everything online, they explained, we realized that connectivity is an issue that affects the entire human ecosystem. … Read More
Washington Post: Biden locks arms with telecom giants, riling allies
Director of the Community Broadband Networks initiative at ILSR, Chris Mitchell, describes the shortcomings in Biden’s approach to the major telecom companies.… Read More
In Broadband Breakfast: Treasury Department’s Rules Put Decision-Making Power in Local Hands
Christopher Mitchell writes about new federal broadband funding rules in Broadband Breakfast. … Read More
Listen: Christopher Mitchell Explains What the Infrastructure Bill Means for Internet Access
Last week, a monumental infrastructure bill passed with $65 billion devoted to broadband investment. This money will build rural connectivity, develop state policies for local broadband, and create a more digitally inclusive economy. … Read More
In the Wall Street Journal: Cable, Internet Companies Stand to Gain From Broadband Funding in Infrastructure
In the Wall Street Journal, ILSR’s community broadband networks program director Christopher Mitchell talks about the new infrastructure bill, including its funding to state offices and failure to create government competition.… Read More
Ohio Inches Closer to Ban on Municipal Broadband Projects
When the Ohio Senate passed its two-year $75-billion budget bill yesterday, it included an amendment that effectively bans the creation and operation of municipal broadband networks and other community-owned projects without much in the way of public debate. The move is drawing a lot of blowback, from cities in the state to local and national advocacy organizations to the Lieutenant Governor.… Read More