[Davisgig] Recently in Community Networks... Week of 5/6

[Christopher Mitchell]

*Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the **Institute for
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FTTH Adding Value to Apartments and Condos, Studies Show
<http://muninetworks.org/content/ftth-adding-value-apartments-and-condos-studies-show>
Tue, April 28, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/ftth-adding-value-apartments-and-condos-studies-show>

Urban real estate investors take note: FTTH
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13> has come of age in the
multi-dwelling unit marketplace. (MDU
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term19>). When looking for new homes,
many more renters and owners are now considering FTTH a necessity.

Several studies have established that fiber raises the value of single
family homes by $5,000 - $6,000 on a home valued at $300,000. A July 2014
survey <http://www.bbpmag.com/Features/0714feature-ConsumerSurvey.php>,
commissioned by Broadband Communities magazine and conducted by RVA LLC
indicates that similar results influence MDUs. Clearly, access to FTTH adds
measurable value to real estate.

The study examined numerous factors related to knowledge, use,
satisfaction, and adoption of FTTH related to MDUs. RVA broke down the
results by age, economics, and education attained. While some results were
surprising, others were predictable. For example, level of education
attained is not necessarily consistent with knowledge of the benefits of
FTTH. The study reflects that those with a graduate degree did not have the
same appreciation for the technology as those with some college less than a
four-year degree.

... More on the Studies Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/ftth-adding-value-apartments-and-condos-studies-show>

Comcast Merger Wrap-up and Anti-Monopoly Policy - Community Broadband Bits
Episode 148
<http://muninetworks.org/content/comcast-merger-wrap-and-anti-monopoly-policy-community-broadband-bits-episode-148>
Tue, April 28, 2015 | Posted by christopher
<http://muninetworks.org/users/christopher>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/comcast-merger-wrap-and-anti-monopoly-policy-community-broadband-bits-episode-148>

In the aftermath of the Comcast/TWC merger being effectively denied by the
Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission, we thought it
was a key moment to focus on antitrust/anti-monopoly policy in DC. To
discuss this topic, we talk this week with Teddy Downey
<http://thecapitolforum.com/staff/teddy-downey/>, Executive Editor and CEO
of theCapitol Forum <http://thecapitolforum.com/> as well as Sally Hubbard
<http://thecapitolforum.com/staff/sally-hubbard/>, Capitol Forum senior
correspondent and expert on antitrust.

We start off with the basics of why the Comcast takeover of Time Warner
Cable posed a problem that regulators were concerned with. From there, we
talk more about the cable industry and whether other mergers will similarly
alarm regulators.

We end with a short discussion of what states can do to crack down on
monopolies and the abuse of market power. Along the way, we discuss whether
DC is entering a new era of antimonopoly policy or whether this merger was
just uniquely troubling.

... Listen to the Show Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/comcast-merger-wrap-and-anti-monopoly-policy-community-broadband-bits-episode-148>

Charles Benton, Champion of the Public Interest in Telecom, Passes
<http://muninetworks.org/content/charles-benton-champion-public-interest-telecom-passes>
Fri, May 01, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/charles-benton-champion-public-interest-telecom-passes>

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 benefiting from communications technologies.

In addition to serving on the National Museum and Library Services Board
for the Obama Administration, Charles advised President Bill Clinton as a
member of the Parental Advisory Committee on the Public Interest Obligation
of Digital Television Broadcasters.

... Losing Charles is a Big Loss for Our Community ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/charles-benton-champion-public-interest-telecom-passes>

ECFiber Seeks New Business Model Designation
<http://muninetworks.org/content/ecfiber-seeks-new-business-model-designation>
Mon, April 27, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/ecfiber-seeks-new-business-model-designation>

ECFiber hopes to transform its business model in order to attract
investors,reported
Valley News in February
<http://www.vnews.com/news/15834924-95/ecfiber-seeks-street-cred>. The
organization is now an "inter-local contract," an entity somewhat unique to
Vermont, but seeks to change to a "telecommunications union district."
Similar to a municipal utility district, the telecommunications union
district is created by two or more municipalities. The new business model
would not change ECFiber's governance or require financial support from
local towns but officials believe it would attract more outside investors.

Last year, ECFiber announced it would expand in 2015
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/ecfiber-continues-grow-plans-expand-2015>,
seeking large scale funding to help speed up deployment. Since 2008, the
organization has raised over $6 million for deployment from individual
investors and now serves more than 1,000 subscribers. Unfortunately, this
method financing slows expansion.

... Longer Discussion and Explanation Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/ecfiber-seeks-new-business-model-designation>

FCC Opens Spectrum; Creates Citizens Broadband Radio Service
<http://muninetworks.org/content/fcc-opens-spectrum-creates-citizens-broadband-radio-service>
Wed, April 29, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/fcc-opens-spectrum-creates-citizens-broadband-radio-service>

On April 17th, FCC Commissioners voted unanimously to expand the use of
spectrum previously reserved for U.S. Army and Navy radar systems. The FCC
Report and Order creates the Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) which
establishes rules for shared use by licensed and unlicensed users.

This is a step forward to ensuring we are getting the most use out of the
spectrum - by allowing different entities to share the spectrum when it is
not being used in some geographic areas for the purpose it was originally
allocated for. Milo Medin of Google explained this plan at Freedom to
Connect - watch his presentation here
<http://livestream.com/internetsociety/F2C2015/videos/79080774>.

According to the FCC Press Release [PDF]
<http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0417/DOC-333083A1.pdf>,
sharing will be managed with a three-tiered approach:

In addition to the protected incumbent tier, the Report and Order
authorizes two commercial tiers of use in the Citizens Broadband Radio
Service. The General Authorized Access tier, which allows any user with a
certified device to operate without seeking any further Commission
approval, will permit low-cost entry into the band, similar to unlicensed
uses. A Priority Access tier will make geographically targeted, short-term
priority rights to a portion of the band available through future spectrum
auctions. One or more Spectrum Access Systems, operated by private
commercial entities, will facilitate coexistence among the different user
tiers.

... This is a Big Deal for Future Community Wireless Efforts ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/fcc-opens-spectrum-creates-citizens-broadband-radio-service>

Vallejo Commits to Develop Fiber Master Plan
<http://muninetworks.org/content/vallejo-commits-develop-fiber-master-plan>
Thu, April 30, 2015 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/vallejo-commits-develop-fiber-master-plan>

Vallejo recently hired Jory Wolf, CIO from Santa Monica, to help develop a
fiber optic master plan, reports the Times Herald
<http://www.timesheraldonline.com/general-news/20150423/vallejo-hires-consultant-to-help-with-developing-a-fiber-optic-master-plan>.
A fiber network now controls the city's intelligent transportation system
(ITS) and Vallejo wants to build off that asset to encourage economic
development.

Wolf was the key player behind Santa Monica's master plan, which led to the
development of its Institutional Network
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term15> and CityNet, a fiber optic
network for business connectivity. According to the article, Vallejo's
master plan is expected late this fall.

Last year, we highlighted a letter
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/we-should-build-muni-vallejo> to the
editor from resident Chris Platzer who suggested using Vallejo's ITS fiber
network as the foundation to deploy a municipal network. A number of
communities we study take advantage of fiber assets and conduit
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term305> put in place as part of
transportation control, including Martin County
<http://www.muninetworks.org/reports/florida-county-saves-millions-building-its-own-broadband-network>
in
Florida; Arlington, Virginia
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/dark-fiber-option-coming-arlington-businesses>
; and Aurora, Illinois
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/onlight-aurora-partners-city-better-connectivity-illinois>.
The Vallejo ITS includes approximately 11 miles of fiber and was built in
the 1990s.

... More on Vallejo's Approach Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/vallejo-commits-develop-fiber-master-plan>

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