As of January 2015, more communities than ever before have realized the value of publicly owned broadband infrastructure. Many communities that choose to invest in publicly owned infrastructure do so because their needs are not met by large corporate providers. While some invest to bring reliable connectivity to local residents, others have no choice; businesses increasingly need high-speed … Read More
While its network continues to offer last generation speeds at high prices and their customer service reps go viral harassing customers who try to leave their grasp, Comcast executives have decided it is time to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to upgrade… their theme parks. That’s right, as they shift call centers to the Philippines to save … Read More
What You Can Do: Two new amendments will likely be added to an appropriations bill in Washington, that could have a devastating snowball effect in the drive for local authority. Right now, Rep. Blackburn from Tennessee is expected to offer the amendments on Tuesday or Wednesday. We anticipate the amendments to have wording that either restricts the FCC from … Read More
Join Community Broadband Networks director Chris Mitchell for “Approaches for Local Governments to Expand Internet Access” on Thursday, June 12 from 3pm-4pm to learn from other communities about strategies to creating a successful community broadband network. Click to Register Christopher Mitchell is the Director of the Community Broadband Networks Initiative with the Institute for Local … Read More
New America Foundation’s Open Technology Institute will host “Localism Over Consolidation: An Exploration of Public Broadband Options” from 9:30-11:30 am on May 28th. Chris will be participating in the discussion; if you can’t make it to DC, the event will be live-streamed. The conversation will focus on different approaches to improve connectivity and community strategies to … Read More
On Monday, May 12, Westminster moved another step closer to deploying its open access citywide fiber network in Maryland. The Common Council approved a FY15 budget that includes $6.3 million for an FTTH network. The Carroll County Times reported that the $64.8 million budget was adopted 5-1. The opposing Council Member voted no on a different issue. Last summer, the community launched two … Read More
The FCC is hearing the massive public outcry over its plan that would allow the big cable and telephone companies to create fast and slow lanes on the wires most of us depend on to access the Internet. Chairman Wheeler has made some bold claims that he would not allow commercially unreasonable deals but many doubt … Read More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 30, 2014 CONTACT: Rebecca Toews 612-808-0689 Rebecca@ilsr.org MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is excited to hear FCC Chairman Wheeler intends to remove barriers to community owned networks. Today at the NCTA conference, Wheeler said, “… if municipal governments—the same ones that granted cable franchises—want to pursue it, they shouldn’t … Read More
Recent reports out of the FCC say that it will allow ISPs to create and sell “fast lanes” of Internet access to the companies with sufficiently deep pockets to afford them. While some people argue over whether this violates network neutrality principles or not, the more important point is that most communities have no control over how the … Read More
