[Davisgig] Recently in Community Networks ... Week of 6/23

[Christopher Mitchell]

*Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the *
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Maine Island Stranded Without Fiber - Community Broadband Bits Podcast 155
<http://muninetworks.org/content/maine-island-stranded-without-fiber-community-broadband-bits-podcast-155>
Tue, June 16, 2015 | Posted by christopher
<http://muninetworks.org/users/christopher>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/maine-island-stranded-without-fiber-community-broadband-bits-podcast-155>

Many communities feel like they are an island without proper connectivity
but Islesboro, Maine, is literally an island... without proper
connectivity. This week, we talk with Page Clason, Manager of the Broadband
Internet Working Group <http://townofislesboro.com/committees/broadband/> for
the island that is moving toward a fiber solution to expand high quality
Internet access.

We discuss the differences between a mainland community and island life,
the dynamic between full time residents and people who live on the island
part of the time, and what Islesboro is doing to ensure everyone has high
quality Internet access.

We also touch on the discussions around how to pay for the fiber. We
recently wrote about the vote to move forward with an engineering study and
contractor search
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/islesboro-maine-voters-approve-first-round-muni-funding>
.

... Listen to the Show Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/maine-island-stranded-without-fiber-community-broadband-bits-podcast-155>

 Chattanooga's EPB, Local Cooperative, and Athens Utility Board Collaborate
For Better Internet
<http://muninetworks.org/content/chattanoogas-epb-local-cooperative-and-athens-utility-board-collaborate-better-internet>
Mon, June 15, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/chattanoogas-epb-local-cooperative-and-athens-utility-board-collaborate-better-internet>

Athens, Tennessee <http://www.cityofathenstn.com/index.html>, has struck a
deal with Chattanooga's EPB and the Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) that
could facilitate the city's interest in a municipal fiber network. According
to the Times Free Press
<http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/may/06/athens-tn-get-fiber-optic-internet-thanks-epb/302745/>,
the Athens Utility Board (AUB) hammered out the final agreement earlier
this month.

AUB is leasing fiber from VEC that carries a gigabit signal from EBP to the
AUB system.

According to the article, AUB has explored the prospect of developing their
own fiber network as early as November 2013 and now offers Internet access
to one business in a local business park. AUB General Manager Eric Newberry
told the AUB Board that they plan to approach other local businesses to set
up additional commercial accounts. They plan a slow buildout and urge local
businesses, many of them clamoring for a reliable connection, to be patient
as they take next steps.

... Read the Rest of Our Story Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/chattanoogas-epb-local-cooperative-and-athens-utility-board-collaborate-better-internet>

Boston Globe Profiles Lafayette; OpenCape Inspired
<http://muninetworks.org/content/boston-globe-profiles-lafayette-opencape-inspired>
Thu, June 18, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/boston-globe-profiles-lafayette-opencape-inspired>

In a recent Boston Globe Opinion
<http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/05/23/broadband-competition-cajun-style/cOfdIzHm4JhMigFmVl8buI/story.html#>,
Dante Ramos notes that Boston has a reputation as a technology hub. When
seeking options and affordability, however, Ramos recounts the successful
approach of Lafayette, Louisiana:

Today, the top broadband speeds advertised to residential customers in
Boston are about one-ninth of what’s available in Lafayette. A municipal
network in Boston isn’t inconceivable; thefiber-optic
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10> network now connecting scores
of government facilities could theoretically become the spine of a citywide
system.

Ramos acknowledges the challenges Boston would face if it were to take up
such a project, but he also notes that it was no small feat for Lafayette.
The economic development gains have more than justified the investment:

Half a decade later, though, the benefits have come into view. A company
serving an active Louisiana film industry can use the Lafayette network to
transmit massive quantities of digital footage. Employees of a major
jewelry manufacturer in town can get medical advice remotely without having
to go in and out of a highly secure plant. And the presence of the network
is shaping investment decisions in subtle ways.

... Read our In-Depth Coverage Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/boston-globe-profiles-lafayette-opencape-inspired>

WiredScore Rates Commercial Real Estate Connectivity in NYC
<http://muninetworks.org/content/wiredscore-rates-commercial-real-estate-connectivity-nyc>
Wed, June 17, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/wiredscore-rates-commercial-real-estate-connectivity-nyc>

As a major metropolitan community, New York City has found a way to
establish a link between connectivity and real estate for potential
commercial tenants.

WiredNYC, a certification program launched in 2013, provides broadband
ratings for office buildings in the city. WiredNYC has been renamed
WiredScore and now operates across the United States, in partnership with
local governments. The program provides a simple survey online at
WiredScore.com <http://wiredscore.com/> that analyzes a variety of factors
and provides a rating based on:

*Building Connectivity*: The number of internet service providers, the
quality and speed of connections, and the access to provider cabling in the
building...

*Infrastructure*: Factors specific to the building's physical internet
infrastructure (i.e., number of entry points, designated utility spaces,
and risers)...

*Readiness*: How ready a building is to improve its connectivity...

... Get Many More Details From our Full Story ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/wiredscore-rates-commercial-real-estate-connectivity-nyc>

Community Broadband Media Roundup - June 19
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-june-19>
Mon, June 22, 2015 | Posted by rebecca
<http://muninetworks.org/users/rebecca>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-june-19>

35 Mayors and Elected Officials Call for Accessible Broadband Performance
Information Following GAO Investigation
<http://nextcenturycities.org/2015/06/17/35-mayors-and-elected-officials-call-for-accessible-broadband-performance-information-following-gao-investigation/>,
Next Century Cities

To help our communities access these critical opportunities, we have joined
the city-to-city collaborative Next Century Cities, which supports local
efforts to provide these networks. We are working to provide the
high-quality Internet that is essential to thriving communities and remain
deeply appreciative of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the
principle of local choice and empower more communities to achieve
high-speed broadband Internet.

*Community Broadband Media Roundup- By State*

*Colorado*

Firestone commissions municipal Internet study
<http://www.timescall.com/news_region-news/ci_28325938/firestone-commissions-municipal-internet-study>
by
Karen Antonacci, Times-Call Region News

Homeowners near Palmer Divide stuck with slow Internet or no Internet at
all
<http://www.koaa.com/story/29357253/homeowners-near-palmer-divide-stuck-with-slow-internet-or-no-internet-at-all>by
Eric Ross, KOAA

Davis says no company he's talked with is willing to expand service in the
area. He tells News5 each time a provider comes back with an offer and he
agrees, the offer price keeps increasing.

Two of the largest providers in Colorado have contracts with El Paso
County, so we wanted to know whether these providers were in violation by
providing access to some homeowners, but not others.

... The Full Community Network Media Roundup is Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-june-19>

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