[Davisgig] Recently in Community Networks... Week of 3/29

Tue Mar 29 08:40:52 PDT 2016

*Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the **Institute for
Local Self-Reliance. Instructions for unsubscribing appear at bottom.  Send
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Santa Monica's Muni To Help Bridge The Digital Divide
<http://muninetworks.org/content/santa-monicas-muni-help-bridge-digital-divide>
Tue, March 22, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/santa-monicas-muni-help-bridge-digital-divide>

Earlier this month, the Santa Monica City Council met to approve rates for
the city's Digital Inclusion Pilot Program. The program is already in
place, bringing free Gigabit per second (Gbps
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term14>) Internet access to computers
in community rooms in ten affordable housing complexes. The March 1st vote
expands the program to offer residents the opportunity to sign up for
services in their homes.

According to the Santa Monica Mirror
<http://www.smmirror.com/articles/News/Internet-Gets-Go-Ahead-for-Lightning-Residential-Speeds/45186>,
official monthly rates are set at $69 for 1 Gbps and $360 for 10 Gbps.
People receiving Public Assistance will be able to obtain a discount to
lower the rates to $48 and $252 per month respectively. An additional FCC
Lifeline subsidy for those who qualify will lower the cost further to
$38.25 per month for 1 Gbps Internet access. Download
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term8> and upload
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term28> speeds are the same.

... An Exciting New Step for Santa Monica's Muni Fiber Approach! ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/santa-monicas-muni-help-bridge-digital-divide>

ISP US Internet Gets More Respect Than Rodney Dangerfield - Community
Broadband Bits 194
<http://muninetworks.org/content/isp-us-internet-gets-more-respect-rodney-dangerfield-community-broadband-bits-194>
Tue, March 22, 2016 | Posted by christopher
<http://muninetworks.org/users/christopher>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/isp-us-internet-gets-more-respect-rodney-dangerfield-community-broadband-bits-194>

In Minneapolis, a small and privately owned ISP has been steadily building
fiber across the city and developing a stunning reputation for great
customer service, low and predictable pricing, and generally being a great
company to do business with. Co-founder Travis Carter of US Internet joins
us for episode 194 of the Community Broadband Bit
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term3>s podcast.

We discuss their approach to building networks, especially their philosophy
around customer service and just how poorly some of US Internet's
competitors treat their customers. As a small firm that is carving out its
own path in a world of giants, its experiences are important lessons and
points of consideration for community networks.

We also discuss how US Internet interacts with local governments. Though
the company has high praise for Minneapolis, it discusses where some of the
challenges have been in navigating local government zoning and permitting.
Travis also offers some advice based on how smart investments and a
well-organized approach to leasing fiber have helped US Internet to begin
expanding in suburb Saint Louis Park.

USI coverage map is available here.
<http://fiber.usinternet.com/fibermap.php> For more information on USI's
pricing, see their website forFiber-to-the-Home
<http://fiber.usinternet.com/plans-and-prices/> and telephone service
<http://fiber.usinternet.com/home-phone-service/>.

... Listen to this Exciting Interview Here
<http://muninetworks.org/content/isp-us-internet-gets-more-respect-rodney-dangerfield-community-broadband-bits-194>
... Read the Transcript Here
<http://muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-194>
...

Mancos Voters The Latest To Decide Local Authority In Colorado
<http://muninetworks.org/content/mancos-voters-latest-decide-local-authority-colorado>
Fri, March 25, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/mancos-voters-latest-decide-local-authority-colorado>

Mancos <http://mancoscolorado.com/>, a rural community of about 1,300 in
rural southwest Colorado, hopes to join over 50 other communities across
the state that have reclaimed local telecommunications authority. On April
5th, the town will decide whether to exempt itself from SB 152, Colorado's
2005 state law that removed local choice from municipalities and local
governments.

Located at the base of the Mesa Verde National Park, Mancos is best known
for outdoor recreation and as the gateway to the park, home to the historic
Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. Rangeland and mountains surround the community.

The Pine River Times Journal reports
<http://www.pinerivertimes.com/article/20160321/NEWS01/160329964/> that
Mancos is looking to utilize 3,300 feet of fiber optic assets already in
place. The fiber now connects municipal facilities but community leaders
want to have the option to use the network for businesses, residents, or to
provide Wi-Fi <http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term29> to visitors. SB
152 precludes Mancos from using their publicly owned fiber for any of those
purposes without first opting out.

... Still More Communities in Colorado to Restore Local Authority ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/mancos-voters-latest-decide-local-authority-colorado>

CLIC to Host Preconference Day in Austin on April 4th
<http://muninetworks.org/content/clic-host-preconference-day-austin-april-4th>
Mon, March 21, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/clic-host-preconference-day-austin-april-4th>

Are you going to the Austin Broadband Communities Conference this spring?
If you plan on attending the April 5 - 7 event, you may want to head out
one day early so you can check out the Coalition for Local Internet Choice
(CLIC) Preconference Day event on April 4.

>From the CLIC email invite:

CLIC's pre-conference day will focus on how communities can facilitate the
development of local gigabit networks. Our interactive panel of experts
will share best practices and how successful community-led networks have
responded to various fiber deployment hurdles, including political, legal,
financial, market or resource barriers. You will be able to meet in-person
and hear from the public officials who are facilitating, and the private
companies who are engaged in and seeking, local public-private broadband
partnerships.

... I'll be there! ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/clic-host-preconference-day-austin-april-4th>

Holland, Michigan Pilot Project Could Lead to More
<http://muninetworks.org/content/holland-michigan-pilot-project-could-lead-more>
Wed, March 23, 2016 | Posted by ternste
<http://muninetworks.org/users/ternste>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/holland-michigan-pilot-project-could-lead-more>

A pilot project
<http://www.hollandfiber.org/updates/archives/2015/12/21/pilot-project-update/>
in
the City of Holland, Michigan is now delivering gigabit speed Internet
service <http://www.hollandsentinel.com/article/20151220/NEWS/151229973> via
a dark fiber network built by the city more than two decades ago; three
commercial buildings are connected. The project, led by the Holland Board
of Public Works (HBPW), is the first phase in an effort to develop a
municipally owned and operated fiber network.

Holland is home to about 33,500 people and situated on the shores of Lake
Michigan. The community is known for its roots in Dutch culture and is a
popular summer tourist destination. Windmills and tulips dot the landscape.

Daniel Morrison, the president of a software company in Holland and a
member of a local public interest group called Holland Fiber
<http://www.hollandfiber.org/details/>, recognizes that businesses need
fast, affordable, reliable connectivity:

“Our whole business is online,” he told the Holland Sentinel newspaper.
“We’re working with clients all over the world and we want to be able to
work as quickly as possible.”

... A Good Start That Deserves More Attention ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/holland-michigan-pilot-project-could-lead-more>

OECD Study on Munis Digs Deep, Discovers Dividends
<http://muninetworks.org/content/oecd-study-munis-digs-deep-discovers-dividends>
Fri, March 25, 2016 | Posted by ternste
<http://muninetworks.org/users/ternste>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/oecd-study-munis-digs-deep-discovers-dividends>

A recent large-scale cross-national study
<http://oecdinsights.org/2015/11/26/municipal-networks-contribute-to-increased-broadband-coverage/>from
the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
<http://www.oecd.org/> (OECD) offers strong evidence that municipal
broadband networks provide numerous benefits for communities around the
world. Among the study’s major findings include evidence that municipal
networks contribute to efforts aimed at improving local economic
development, stimulating business productivity and innovation, and
enhancing people’s quality of life.

The study's analysis of European nations is of special interest to us as
European municipal networks are the only international municipal networks
in the study that closely resemble U.S. municipal networks. In particular,
the findings from the study’s central econometric analysis of Swedish
municipal networks have direct implications for our understanding of the
impact of municipal networks in the United States.

... The Data on Sweden's Municipal Fiber Are Intriguing ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/oecd-study-munis-digs-deep-discovers-dividends>

Listen to the Lawyers: Audio of Oral Arguments Now Available in TN/NC vs FCC
<http://muninetworks.org/content/listen-lawyers-audio-oral-arguments-now-available-tnnc-vs-fcc>
Tue, March 22, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/listen-lawyers-audio-oral-arguments-now-available-tnnc-vs-fcc>

Attorneys argued before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals on March 17th
<http://muninetworks.org/content/tn-and-nc-vs-fcc-oral-arguments-scheduled-thursday-march-17th>
in
the case of Tennessee and North Carolina vs the FCC. The attorneys
presented their arguments before the court as it considered the FCC's
decision to peel back state barriers that prevent local authority to expand
munis.

A little over a year ago, the FCC struck down
<http://muninetworks.org/content/cable-companies-lose-big-fcc-barriers-community-broadband-struck-down>
state
barriers in Tennessee and North Carolina limiting expansion of publicly own
networks. Soon after, both states filed appeals and the cases were combined.

You can listen to the entire oral argument below - a little less than 43
minutes - which includes presentations from both sides and vigorous
questions from the Judges.

To review other resources from the case, be sure to check out the other
resources, available here
<http://muninetworks.org/content/resource-central-tn-and-nc-appeal-fcc-decision-restore-local-authority>,
including party and amicus briefs.

... Listen to the Audio Here ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/listen-lawyers-audio-oral-arguments-now-available-tnnc-vs-fcc>

OpenCape Institutional User Sees Internet Speed Double
<http://muninetworks.org/content/opencape-institutional-user-sees-internet-speed-double>
Thu, March 24, 2016 | Posted by Scott <http://muninetworks.org/users/scott>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/opencape-institutional-user-sees-internet-speed-double>

A major institutional customer on the OpenCape fiber optic network in the
Cape Cod region of Massachusetts is now enjoying Internet access at double
the speed.

CapeCod.com
<http://www.capecod.com/newscenter/capenet-doubles-whois-broadband-capacity/>
reports
that local CapeNet <http://www.capenet.com/>, the supplier of service over
the OpenCape <http://opencape.org/> network, has doubled the Internet speed
for the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution  <http://www.whoi.edu/>(WHOI)
from 1 Gigabits per second (Gbps <http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term14>)
to 2 Gbps. By switching to CapeNet as its primary provider, WHOI now also
has the ability to expand up to 10 Gbps.

Previously, CapeNet provided 100 megabits to WHOI as a secondary provider,
but the research and educational organization was interested in
dramatically increasing its Internet capacity. In order to increase
capacity, WHOI needed to make the switch to CapeNet.

... Read our Full Coverage of the
http://muninetworks.org/content/opencape-institutional-user-sees-internet-speed-double

Community Broadband Media Roundup - March 28
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-28>
Sat, March 26, 2016 | Posted by Nick <http://muninetworks.org/users/nick>
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-28>

*Colorado*

Without SB 152 on the books, Colorado municipalities would not have to
spend taxpayer dollars to reclaim local authority to build broadband
networks.

Mancos seeks more Internet options
<http://www.pinerivertimes.com/article/20160321/NEWS01/160329964/> by Jacob
Klopfenstein, Pine River Times

SB 152 requires local government to seek voter approval before providing
telecommunications services. It also prevents municipalities from entering
into private-public partnerships or expanding networks to provide those
services. The Mancos Board of Trustees passed
<http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term20> a resolution March 9 urging
citizens to vote in favor of authorizing the town to opt out.

*Maine*

Small Maine town hopes boosted broadband will stimulate economic development
<http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Small-Maine-Town-Hopes-Boosted-Broadband-Will-Stimulate-Economic-Development.html?mc_cid=679555db74&mc_eid=2910c7b52b>
by
Nick Sambides Jr., GovTech

... Read the Full Community Network Media Roundup ...
<http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-28>

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