[Davisgig] Recently in Community Networks... Week of 4/19

Tue Apr 19 08:45:00 PDT 2016

*Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the **Institute for
Local Self-Reliance. Instructions for unsubscribing appear at bottom.  Send
feedback.  Forward Widely.*

RS Fiber: Fertile Fields for New Rural Internet Cooperative
<http://muninetworks.org/reports/rs-fiber-fertile-fields-new-rural-internet-cooperative>
Publication Date:
 April 18, 2016
<http://muninetworks.org/reports/rs-fiber-fertile-fields-new-rural-internet-cooperative>

A new trend is emerging in rural communities throughout the United States:
Fiber-to-the-Farm. Tired of waiting for high-quality Internet access from
big companies, farmers are building it themselves.

Communities in and around Minnesota’s rural Sibley County are going from
worst to best after building a wireless and fiber-optic
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10> cooperative. While federal
programs throw billions of dollars to deliver last year’s Internet speeds,
local programs are building the network of the future.

In “*RS Fiber**: Fertile Fields for New Rural Internet Cooperative*
<https://ilsr.org/report-mn-rural-fiber/>,” the Institute for Local
Self-Reliance (ILSR) and Next Century Cities documents a groundbreaking new
model that’s sprung up in South Central Minnesota that can be replicated
all over the nation, in the thousands of cities and counties that have been
refused service by big cable and telecom corporations.

... Read our NEW Report! Amazing New Model for Rural Internet Access
Expansion! ... <https://ilsr.org/report-mn-rural-fiber/>

Next Generation Engagement Awards: Using the Internet for Civic Involvement
<http://muninetworks.org/content/next-generation-engagement-awards-using-internet-civic-involvement>
Wed, April 13, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/next-generation-engagement-awards-using-internet-civic-involvement>

In addition to economic development, public savings, and a higher quality
of life, better connectivity can promote more participation in the
democratic process.

Next Century Cities, The Democracy Fund <http://www.democracyfund.org/>,
and the Benton Foundation <https://www.benton.org/> want to promote
innovation surrounding ways high-speed Internet fosters participatory
democracy and civic engagement. These groups invite communities to apply
for a *Next Generation Engagement Award
<http://nextcenturycities.org/next-generation-engagement-awards/>*.

LEARN MORE - Webinar on Wednesday, April 4/20 !!
<http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ecjbh4g33aaf6805&llr=jmp6xjrab>

*Winning communities will receive:*

   - Up to $30,000 for new or existing projects that help citizens become
   more engaged in the democratic process
   - Technical assistance to implement their plans
   - Connections with other like-minded municipalities
   - At least three communities will be selected for special inaugural
   Awards

... Get More Information Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/next-generation-engagement-awards-using-internet-civic-involvement>

Legal Eagles: Ammon FTTH Can Fly As Planned
<http://muninetworks.org/content/legal-eagles-ammon-ftth-can-fly-planned>
Thu, April 14, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/legal-eagles-ammon-ftth-can-fly-planned>

Ammon now has judicial confirmation to move ahead on their
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH <http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13>)
project.

As we reported earlier this year, Ammon's Fiber Optic Department
<http://b.ci.ammon.id.us/fiber-optic/>, led by IT Director Bruce Patterson,
is on the verge of commencing the next phase of its incremental network
deployment. Bruce explained to Chris in Episode #173
<http://muninetworks.org/content/muni-fiber-idaho-helps-911-dispatch-and-first-responders-community-broadband-bits-episode-17>
of
the Community Broadband Bits podcast, how the city will create a utility
and residents who choose to participate will pay to have the network
connected to their homes. The first area where FTTH will be deployed
includes approximately 300 properties.

... Read What the Judge Determined Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/legal-eagles-ammon-ftth-can-fly-planned>

BT Advisory Board and Community Agree: Local Is Best
<http://muninetworks.org/content/bt-advisory-board-and-community-agree-local-best>
Tue, April 12, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/bt-advisory-board-and-community-agree-local-best>

As Burlington, Vermont, searches for a buyer for Burlington Telecom, the
local residents and business owners continue to remain engaged in the
future of their beloved Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13>) network. Most recently, they
made it clear that their first priority is finding a local company to own
and operate the fiber network.

VT Digger reported that, according to a survey conducted by the BT Board of
Advisors:

Several residents have said they would like to see Burlington Telecom sold
to a locally owned co-operative and that their greatest concern is the
utility being sold to one of its larger competitors such as Comcast, AT&T
or FairPoint.

... More on the Efforts to Ensure BT Serves the Community Long into the
Future ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/bt-advisory-board-and-community-agree-local-best>

Three Communities Make Big Moves Toward Municipal Fiber Networks
<http://muninetworks.org/content/three-communities-make-big-moves-toward-municipal-fiber-networks>
Fri, April 15, 2016 | Posted by ternste
<http://muninetworks.org/users/ternste>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/three-communities-make-big-moves-toward-municipal-fiber-networks>

A March article in Broadband Properties Magazine
<http://bbpmag.com/wordpress2/2016/03/indianola-municipal-utilities-selects-magellan-for-fttp-feasibility-study/>
spotlights
three communities around the country that are making progress toward
creating municipal fiber networks. The City of Centennial, Colorado
announced that they have completed a feasibility study and a Master Plan
detailing the city’s plans to develop a network. Additionally, the Cities
of Indianola, Iowa and Rancho Cucamonga, California announced that they
have begun studying the feasibility of starting their own municipal fiber
networks.

*Indianola, Iowa*

Indianola, Iowa is a city of about 15,000 just 20 miles south of Des
Moines. As we wrote a few years ago
<http://muninetworks.org/content/indianolas-fiber-optic-network-soon-serve-residents>,
Indianola currently owns an open access Fiber-to-the Premise
<http://www.i-m-u.com/network-services/system-information.aspx> (FTTP)
network which provides Gigabit speed Internet access, plus TV, and phone
service to most businesses and select residents in Indianola. The study
they recently commissioned will explore the feasibility of using this
existing network for constructing a FTTP network to the entire community.

... More Details on All of these Communities Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/three-communities-make-big-moves-toward-municipal-fiber-networks>

Alaska Co-op Upgrading to Fiber
<http://muninetworks.org/content/alaska-co-op-upgrading-fiber>
Sat, April 16, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/alaska-co-op-upgrading-fiber>

It isn't very often we have the chance to share stories from the "Last
Frontier," but a cooperative in the Valdez area is making news with a
planned upgrade to fiber this summer.

*DSL** to Fiber*

According to the
<http://www.valdezstar.net/story/2016/04/06/main-news/fiber-optic-coming-to-a-home-near-you-for-better-speed/1187.html>Valdez
Star, Copper Valley Telecom <http://www.cvinternet.net/index.php> (CVT)
subscribers will be enjoying a switch from old copper DSL Internet access
to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH <http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13>)
when CVT upgrades its system. The new technology will also improve
telephone service.

... More Details on Yet Another Co-op Stepping up ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/alaska-co-op-upgrading-fiber>

Connecticut Focuses on Local Leadership
<http://muninetworks.org/content/connecticut-focuses-local-leadership>
Mon, April 11, 2016 | Posted by hannah
<http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/connecticut-focuses-local-leadership>

At the end of March, city leaders across the state of Connecticut converged
on a conference to discuss the deficiencies of Internet access and ways to
move forward such as a regional network, municipal networks, and public
private partnerships. Over the past year, the communities of New Haven,
Hartford, and Manchester, have explored several of these possibilities.
What pathway they choose depends in part on the outcome of the conference.

*The Conference: A Long Time Coming*

The conference High-Speed Broadband Infrastructure: A Toolbox for
Municipalities <https://www.cedas.org/Events/eventView.asp?EventID=303> took
place the state capital Hartford, Connecticut, on March 23, 2016. The
presenters, featuring the mayors of New Haven and Hartford, addressed the
diverse needs of Connecticut’s communities.

... Read the Full Story Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/connecticut-focuses-local-leadership>

Change.org Petition: CA Lawmakers, Vote for Greater Local Authority, Don't
Abandon Copper Yet
<http://muninetworks.org/content/changeorg-petition-ca-lawmakers-vote-greater-local-authority-dont-abandon-copper-yet>
Sun, April 17, 2016 | Posted by ternste
<http://muninetworks.org/users/ternste>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/changeorg-petition-ca-lawmakers-vote-greater-local-authority-dont-abandon-copper-yet>

The California State Assembly will soon vote on three bills that have
significant implications for rural Internet access initiatives in the
Golden State. An online Change.org petition
<https://www.change.org/p/california-state-assembly-committee-on-utilities-and-commerce-save-state-funding-for-rural-internet-in-ca-and-stop-at-t-from-a-100-million-tax-grab?recruiter=524225624&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive>
is
asking you to urge lawmakers to give local communities the authority to
determine their own Internet access needs.

On April 20th, 2016, the State Assembly will vote on a bill to provide
state funding for community-based efforts aimed at improving broadband
access in rural areas. And during the current session this week, California
Represenatives will vote on two additional bills, drafted by lobbying
groups working for the telecom industry, which seek to give incumbent
providers even greater power to control the quality and price of Internet
access options that are available in these rural communities.

... There are Many Problems With Allowing AT&T to Cut Households Off ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/changeorg-petition-ca-lawmakers-vote-greater-local-authority-dont-abandon-copper-yet>

Community Broadband Media Roundup - April 19
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-april-19>
Tue, April 19, 2016 | Posted by Nick <http://muninetworks.org/users/nick>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-april-19>

*California*

How we can close California's digital divide
<http://www.techwire.net/commentary/how-we-can-close-californias-digital-divide.html>
by
Kish Rajan, TechWire

Santa Cruz public high-speed Internet project earns early jump-start
<http://www.techwire.net/news/santa-cruz-public-high-speed-internet-project-earns-early-jump-start.html>
by
Jessica A. York, Santa Cruz Sentinel

Cruzio <http://cruzio.com/> and Santa Cruz economic development officials are
in the midst of talks
<http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/article/NE/20150625/NEWS/150629816> to
build a gigabit fiber-optic
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10> communications
network, infrastructure designed to connect some 22,000 city properties.
The citywide Santa Cruz Fiber <http://cruzio.com/santa-cruz-fiber/> project,
requiring as much as a $52 million, 30-year city revenue bond to fund, is
still years in the making. The proposal’s premise is that Cruzio would pay
the city a set fee for every household and customer who opts in for gigabit
service, paying off the city bond. If at the end of the term, Cruzio was
unable to pay the full bond amount based on new customer accounts, the
company would guarantee coverage of at least 80 percent of the bond. Under
the proposed plan, subscribers would pay an estimated $60 to $75 a month
for the service, though more subscribers would mean lower overall monthly
bills, officials said.

Santa Cruz, Calif., deploys fiber-like wireless gigabit Internet through
public-private partnership
<http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Santa-Cruz-Calif-Deploys-Fiber-Like-Wireless-Gigabit-Internet-Through-Public-Private-Partnership.html>
by
Julia McCandless, GovTech

... Read the Full Community Network Media Roundup Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-april-19>

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