In light of the recent announcement, community leaders in Maryland and Kansas are rallying behind the FCC as it considers its authority under Section 706 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act. In a show of support, the Westminster Mayor and Common Council passed Resolution 14-01, a statement in support of restoring and preserving local authority to build networks. … Read More
On February 13, KKFI Community Radio from Kansas City, Missouri, interviewed ILSR’s Chris Mitchell and Todd O’Boyle from Common Cause. Tom Klammer, host of the “Tell Somebody” show covered Kansas legislation SB 304 aimed at preventing municipalities from investing in their own broadband networks. Chris and Todd co-authored our 2013 case study, The Empire Lobbies Back: How National … Read More
Even though the Kansas cable lobby have temporarily retracted their competition-killing telecom bill, we still want to highlight the benefits of preserving full home rule, local authority by focusing on a number of communities, including Chanute, Ottawa, and Erie. Chanute We have reported on Chanute’s municipal network for years. The community leveraged its electric utility assets and … Read More
We learned a lot today about the anti-competition bill (SB 304) in Kansas to limit Internet network investments. Ars Technica’s Jon Brodkin discovered the source of the bill, the Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association: That’s a lobby group with members such as Comcast, Cox, Eagle Communications, and Time Warner Cable. The bill was introduced this week, referred … Read More
In a very quick turnaround, a number of prominent companies have signed on to a letter opposing the Kansas bill to block competition for existing Internet providers, like Time Warner Cable. Firms signing the letter sent to the Commerce Committee include Alcatel-Lucent, American Public Power Association, Atlantic Engineering Group, Calix, CTC Technology & Energy, Fiber to … Read More
Following the introduction of SB 304 to limit investment in Internet networks in Kansas, which we covered on Tuesday, we saw some early reactions from those who fear the bill will effectively stop new investment in networks, much to the benefit of the big cable and telephone companies already providing service. We quickly saw a new … Read More
Kansas is the latest legislative battle ground in the fight to preserve local self-reliance. The Kansas Legislature is taking up SB 304 to limit local municipalities’ authority to invest in publicly owned networks. While the language of the bill states the purpose is to “encourage widespread use of technological advances” for video and broadband at competitive … Read More
The Gigabit Libraries Network (GLN) has orchestrated a pilot project to optimize white space technology for connectivity in and near community libraries and schools. We discussed this approach on our most recent podcast with Don Means, coordinator of the project. White spaces wireless, sometimes referred to as “Super Wi-Fi” or “TVWS,” can provide limited access in rural … Read More
This week, Don Means joins us to talk about public libraries, their role in the modern era, and an interesting pilot project involving several libraries and white spaces wireless technology. Don is the coordinator of the Gigabit Libraries Network and has a passion for both libraries and expanding Internet access to all. We offer some basic … Read More
