23 Feb 2017

The Power and Perils of Cooperatives (Episode 12)

by | Date: 23 Feb 2017 | posted in: Building Local Power, Energy, Energy Self Reliant States, MuniNetworks, Podcast | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

In this episode, Christopher Mitchell, the director of ILSR’s Community Broadband Networks initiative, interviews Hannah Trostle and Karlee Weinmann, Research Associates for the Community Broadband Networks and Energy Democracy initiatives, respectively. The three discuss the cooperative model of ownership and how this model can enable investment in gigabit Internet connections for their member-owners, but also how they are subject to a low participation rates in their elections.… Read More
9 Nov 2015

SandyNet Goes Gig: A Model for Anytown, USA

by | Date: 9 Nov 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Many of the most beautiful communities in the United States are in remote areas where incumbent cable and telephone companies have decided not to offer modern, high-quality Internet connectivity. Sandy, Ore., is one of them. Some 10,000 people live there among the lush green forests and beautiful vistas of the “Gateway to Mount Hood,” 25 miles … Read More
10 Aug 2015

Who Has Citywide Gigabit Internet Access for $100 or Less?

by | Date: 10 Aug 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

As Westminster begins serving customers with its new FTTH network and partner Ting, we were curious how many communities are there where a residential subscriber can obtain affordable gigabit access? We estimate the number of networks, large or small, where a majority of residents in a community can obtain gigabit service for $100 or less to … Read More
8 Jul 2015

Gig City Sandy: Home of the $60 Gig

by | Date: 8 Jul 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

    Located at the foot of Mount Hood in Oregon, Sandy’s municipally-owned full fiber network offers gigabit Internet service for under $60 to every resident in the city. Sandy is one of the few municipal FTTH networks that has been built without having a municipal electric department. The Institute for Local Self-Reliance released this short … Read More
22 May 2015

North Carolina Files Petition Opposing FCC Ruling to End Anti-Muni Laws

by | Date: 22 May 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

It took a while, but the State of North Carolina finally decided to take its turn at the throat of the FCC. Attorneys filed a Petition for Review in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals similar to the one filed by the State of Tennessee in March. The Petition is available for download below. Our official … Read More
10 May 2015

Video Available: Connecticut Gigabit State Event

by | Date: 10 May 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

On May 5th, Christopher participated in a panel conversation presented by the City of New Haven and the Connecticut Office of Consumer Counsel. Video of the event,Moving Towards A Gigabit State: Planning & Financing Municipal Ultra-High-Speed Internet Fiber Networks Through Public-Private Partnerships, is now available. You can watch it from the Connecticut Network website. The final … Read More
1 May 2015

Charles Benton, Champion of the Public Interest in Telecom, Passes

by | Date: 1 May 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The world of media education, communication policy, and philanthropy is mourning the loss of Charles Benton who passed away on April 29. He lived a long life encouraging and empowering individuals and communities to use technology to improve their quality of life. But beyond that, specifically working to remove barriers that discourage historically marginalized communities from … Read More
20 Apr 2015

Leverett Starts to Light Up in Massachusetts

by | Date: 20 Apr 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

The celebrated municipal network in Leverett, Massachusetts, is starting to serve select areas of the community. Customers’ properties on the north side of town are now receiving 1 gigabit Internet service from the town’s partner Crocker Communications. These early subscribers are considered “beta sites.” Telephone service will become available when the network has been fully tested. … Read More
17 Mar 2015

Waverly: The Next Gigabit Community in Iowa

by | Date: 17 Mar 2015 | posted in: MuniNetworks | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Remember Waverly, Iowa? We introduced you to the town of 10,000 back in 2013 when they revived the community choice to develop a telecommunications utility. Recently in February, the Waverly Light and Power Board of Trustees approved a long awaited gigabit project reported American Public Power. According to a WLP press release, the $12 million project … Read More

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