[Davisgig] Recently in Community Networks ... Week of 2/9

Tue Feb 9 11:51:04 PST 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.*

St. Louis Park And Developers Ready The Wires
<http://muninetworks.org/content/st-louis-park-and-developers-ready-wires>
Wed, February 03, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/st-louis-park-and-developers-ready-wires>

Community leaders in St. Louis Park, Minnesota <http://www.stlouispark.org/>,
are taking advantage of growth in apartment and condominium developments to
"till the soil" for better residential connectivity. One of the smartest
things a community can do to improve connectivity is prepare an environment
that encourages high-speed connectivity infrastructure investment. As
developers erect new buildings, the city is working with them to develop
internal wiring standards and conduit
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term305> installation standards for
high-quality Internet access within and to their buildings.

*Developers Understand The Value*

The city of approximately 45,000, located immediately west of Minneapolis
has not adopted any formal building code language, but has negotiated
broadband readiness specifications with several new multi-dwelling unit
building developers. Savvy developers realize that high-speed connectivity
is now a basic utility that tenants demand.

... Read More - We Need More Building Codes Along These Lines ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/st-louis-park-and-developers-ready-wires>

Andrew Blum Decides to Visit the Internet - Community Broadband Bits
Podcast 187
<http://muninetworks.org/content/andrew-blum-decides-visit-internet-community-broadband-bits-podcast-187>
Tue, February 02, 2016 | Posted by christopher
<http://muninetworks.org/users/christopher>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/andrew-blum-decides-visit-internet-community-broadband-bits-podcast-187>

We head directly into the Internet this week with Andrew Blum
<http://andrewblum.net/>, author of the book *Tubes: A Journey to the
Center of the Internet*. We wrote about it
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/tubes-offers-internet-tour> when it
was published back in 2012. It is as relevant today as then - buy it from
your local bookstore.

In our discussion, we talk about the physical infrastructure and geography
of the Internet. Blum traveled around the planet, seeking out key Internet
locations and exploring how the Internet actually works.

We discuss peering, the municipal fiber network in The Dalles of Oregon,
and how squirrels have cynically targeted last mile
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term17> vulnerabilities to disrupt
household connections.

... Listen to the Show Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/andrew-blum-decides-visit-internet-community-broadband-bits-podcast-187>

Fiber-to-the-Home May Be the Cherry on Top in Traverse City
<http://muninetworks.org/content/fiber-home-may-be-cherry-top-traverse-city>
Thu, February 04, 2016 | Posted by hannah
<http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/fiber-home-may-be-cherry-top-traverse-city>

In Traverse City, Michigan, big plans are underway. The local electric
utility is considering constructing
<http://www.traverseticker.com/story/could-tc-become-a-tech-city> a
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH <http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13>)
network for next-generation high-speed Internet access.

About 10,000 people call the "Cherry Capital of the World" home. The area
primarily relies on tourism and high-speed Internet access can help
diversify the local economy. At the moment, Traverse City Light & Power
(TCLP) is holding planning meetings with community stakeholders to discuss
how to build a network to meet the needs of the community.

... Find the Rest of this Story Emerging from Michigan Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/fiber-home-may-be-cherry-top-traverse-city>

Owensboro Residents Flying High On Fiber Pilot
<http://muninetworks.org/content/owensboro-residents-flying-high-fiber-pilot>
Sat, February 06, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/owensboro-residents-flying-high-fiber-pilot>

Last fall, Owensboro, Kentucky, began constructing its pilot program
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/owensboro-kentucky-developing-muni-ftth-pilot>
to
bring Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) to a limited number of residents.
Construction is complete and now the municipal utility is serving
subscribers, much to the delight of folks in the city's Town & County
neighborhood. There are 570 households and approximately 1,500 people
living in the pilot area.

As of late January, 80 households had signed up for service with 15 now
being served at a rated of about eight installations completed every week.
Chris Poynter, superintendent of Owensboro Municipal Utilities
<http://omu.org/> (OMU) telecommunications division reported to the Board
<http://www.messenger-inquirer.com/news/local/internet-pilot-program-launched/article_1536eb97-558d-5ea8-915f-667b453442b3.html>
that
feedback has been positive and that customers have been "…very happy with
their speeds and the installation process."

... See the Price Points and More Information about Owensboro Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/owensboro-residents-flying-high-fiber-pilot>

Holding Their Breath in Bradley
<http://muninetworks.org/content/holding-their-breath-bradley>
Tue, February 02, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/holding-their-breath-bradley>

Cleveland Utilities (CU), serving Bradley County, is carefully searching
for the best way to improve connectivity for its southeast Tennessee
customers. After exploring a number of possibilities, CU sees a partnership
with Chattanooga's EPB as the brightest opportunity but their collaboration
rests on lawmakers in Nashville or the U.S. Court of Appeals.

*The Need Is There, The Neighbors Are Close*

CU President, Ken Webb knows the community needs and wants something better
than AT&T for Internet access or cable TV from Charter Spectrum, especially
in rural areas. Residents and business owners have gathered at community
meetings
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/tn-fibers-new-video-family-life-bradley-county>.
Local
community leaders have passed resolutions
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/bradley-county-urges-tennessee-lawmakers-high-speed-internet-now>
asking
the state to roll back restrictions and contacted CU directly but the
utility's hands are tied as long as state barriers remain in place.

... Read the Full Story on the Continuing Tennessee Struggle Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/holding-their-breath-bradley>

Seniors, Low-Income, Disabled Communities Pay the Price in St. Paul
<http://muninetworks.org/content/seniors-low-income-disabled-communities-pay-price-st-paul>
Mon, February 01, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/seniors-low-income-disabled-communities-pay-price-st-paul>

For seniors, low-income residents, and the disabled in Saint Paul,
Minnesota, a Comcast discount within the city's franchise
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term12> agreement is not all it was
cracked up to be. The Pioneer Press recently reported
<http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_29161162/st-pauls-comcast-centurylink-cable-deals-clarified-sort>
that,
as eligible subscribers seek the ten percent discount guaranteed by the
agreement, they are finding the devil is in the details - or lack of them.

This is a warning to those who attempt to negotiate with Comcast for better
service. Comcast may make deals that it knows are unenforceable.

*"No Discount For You!"*

For years, Comcast held the only franchise agreement with the city of St.
Paul. In 2015, the city entered into a new agreement with the cable
provider and, as in the past, the provider agreed to offer discounts for
low-income and senior subscribers. Such concessions are common because a
franchise agreement gives a provider easy access to a pool of subscribers.

... Read the Full Story for Lessons on Any Deals with Comcast ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/seniors-low-income-disabled-communities-pay-price-st-paul>

Speeds Up, Prices Steady (or Down!) With EC Fiber
<http://muninetworks.org/content/speeds-prices-steady-or-down-ec-fiber>
Fri, February 05, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/speeds-prices-steady-or-down-ec-fiber>

The East-Central Vermont Community Fiber-Optic Network
<http://ecfiber.net/> (EC
Fiber) recentlyannounced plans
<http://ecfiber.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ECFiber-Increases-Speeds-Press1.pdf>
to
increase speeds across tiers with no increase in prices.

Changes will look like this:

   - "Basic" will increase from 7 to 10 Megabits per second (Mbps
   <http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term18>)
   - "Standard" will increase from 20 to 25 Mbps
   - "Ultra" will double from 50 to 100
   - The new "Wicked" plan will increase from 100 to 500 AND will include a
   price decrease. (Current subscribers to the Wicked tier who pay for 400
   Mbps will also get the bump up to 500 Mbps and the price decrease.)

All speeds from EC Fiber are symmetrical
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term24> so both download
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term8> and upload are equally fast.

... Learn More About This Self-Funded Approach ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/speeds-prices-steady-or-down-ec-fiber>

Local Media Loves Opelika Gigabit Fiber Network
<http://muninetworks.org/content/local-media-loves-opelika-gigabit-fiber-network>
Tue, February 02, 2016 | Posted by hannah
<http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/local-media-loves-opelika-gigabit-fiber-network>

We love when community networks are celebrated for their accomplishments
and potential. Opelika, Alabama
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/rates-approved-opelika-community-fiber-network>,
started to build a network in 2010, and now local news proudly showcases
the community as a Gig City.

The Fiber-to-the-Home network in Opelika turned out to be a great
investment for the community. After five years of work and $43 million, the
network now boasts 3,000 customers. With such incredible high-speed
Internet access, Opelika hopes to attract new businesses and encourage
young people to stay. For more of the history of the network, check out our
interview with Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller in Episode 40 of Broadband Bits.
<http://www.muninetworks.org/content/opelika-builds-first-full-fiber-network-alabama-community-broadband-bits-episode-40>

... Watch the Video Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/local-media-loves-opelika-gigabit-fiber-network>

Mr. and Mrs. Monopoly Seek Treatment with Competify
<http://muninetworks.org/content/mr-and-mrs-monopoly-seek-treatment-competify>
Wed, February 03, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/mr-and-mrs-monopoly-seek-treatment-competify>

Check out this new video from the Competify coalition
<http://trycompetify.com/>. The short 2-minute feature introduces viewers
to Mr. and Mrs. Broadband Monopoly, who are clearly suffering from "chronic
broadband access control."

*Meet Mr. and Mrs. Broadband Monopoly*

Competify focuses on raising awareness about the long term damage caused by
lack of high-quality Internet access competition. Our livelihoods suffer
when a small number of huge corporate telecommunications providers control
connectivity. The coalition provides hard information on how these de facto
monopolies and duopolies negatively impact our lives and how a more
competitive environment can help.

... Read the Rest of the Statement Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/mr-and-mrs-monopoly-seek-treatment-competify>

Community Broadband Media Roundup - February 8
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-8>
Mon, February 08, 2016 | Posted by Nick <http://muninetworks.org/users/nick>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-8>

*Tennessee*

State House Speaker Harwell expects rural broadband bill delay to next year
<http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/government/state/state-house-speaker-harwell-expects-rural-broadband-bill-delay-to-next-year-2ad20fec-fee7-30f7-e053--367445371.html>
by
Richard Locker, Commercial Appeal

Supporters of a bill seeking to allow municipal broadband providers to
expand high-speed Internet service to rural areas are calling the measure
long overdue
<http://www.dailyjournal.net/view/story/39e5bfcc734c42d1b86721811a9640c8/TN--Municipal-Broadband>by
Erik Schelzig, Daily Journal

'AT&T is the villain' in battle over rural broadband access, Republican
lawmaker says
<http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/02/att-is-the-villain-in-city-broadband-fight-republican-lawmaker-says/>
by
Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica

... Read the Full Community Broadband Networks Media Roundup Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-8>

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