[Davisgig] Recently in Community Networks ... 10/4

Tue Oct 4 08:49:02 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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Virginia's Roanoke Valley Opens Fiber Access - Community Broadband Bits
Podcast 221
<https://muninetworks.org/content/virginias-roanoke-valley-opens-fiber-access-community-broadband-bits-podcast-221>
Tue, September 27, 2016 | Posted by christopher
<https://muninetworks.org/users/christopher>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/virginias-roanoke-valley-opens-fiber-access-community-broadband-bits-podcast-221>

Having few options for high-quality telecommunications service, Virginia's
Roanoke Valley formed a broadband authority and is building an open access
<https://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term625>fiber-optic
<https://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10> network with different options
for ISPs to plug-in.

In addition to being our guest on Community Broadband Bits episode 221,
Frank Smith is the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority
<http://highspeedroanoke.net/> CEO and President. We discuss their various
options for ISPs to use their infrastructure and the various services their
network is providing, including access to conduit
<https://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term305> and dark fiber leases. We
also discuss why they formed a state authority to build their carrier-grade
network.

Though they have had some pushback from incumbents - something Frank seems
unphased by in calling the Authority "the new kid on the block" - they have
built local support by building relationships with local organizations like
Blue Ridge PBS.

... Listen to the Show Here
<https://muninetworks.org/content/virginias-roanoke-valley-opens-fiber-access-community-broadband-bits-podcast-221>
... Read the transcript of the episode here
<https://muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-221>
 ...

Rio Blanco County Fiber Project Forges Ahead
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rio-blanco-county-fiber-project-forges-ahead>
Mon, September 26, 2016 | Posted by Scott
<https://muninetworks.org/users/scott>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rio-blanco-county-fiber-project-forges-ahead>

The Rio Blanco County's fiber optic and wireless network project
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rio-blanco-county-has-big-plans-open-access-network>
continues
to make steady progress with services likely available in some areas by
January.

County IT director Blake Mobley offered the update at a recent meeting of
the Meeker board of trustees. Asked by the trustees when broadband access
would be available to residents, Mobley said, “I think it’s very likely
local will be lit in 2016,” according to a report in the Times Herald
<http://www.theheraldtimes.com/broadband-possible-by-years-end/rio-blanco-county/>
.

*Work In Progress*

Currently, Rio Blanco County  <http://www.rbc.us/395/Broadband>is building
out an open access <https://muninetworks.org/glossary> network in the towns
of Meeker (pop. 2,500) and Rangely (pop. 2,400) and fixed wireless system
across a county-wide tower network. The county plans to build
infrastructure to the curb and allow private providers to finish the
connections to residential and business customers from curb to premise.
Cost of the first stage is estimated at about $13 million.
<https://muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-158>
Rio
Blanco County has a total population of 6,200 people
<https://muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-158>
over
3,000 square miles or an average of 2 people per square mile.

... Exciting Progress in a Very Rural Region - More Here ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rio-blanco-county-fiber-project-forges-ahead>

Eugene Encouraged: Expanding Fiber Project
<https://muninetworks.org/content/eugene-encouraged-expanding-fiber-project>
Fri, September 30, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<https://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/eugene-encouraged-expanding-fiber-project>

For the past year, Eugene has worked on a pilot project to bring
high-quality connectivity to businesses in its downtown core. Now that
community leaders and businesses have seen how a publicly owned network can
help revitalize the city’s commercial center, they want to expand it
<http://www.eugene-or.gov/3254/Project-High-Speed-Fiber>.

*The Proof Is In The Pilot*

The project is a collaboration between the city of Eugene, the Lane Council
of Governments (LCOG), and the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB). As
we reported last year, each entity contributed to the project. EWEB owns
the infrastructure and uses its electrical conduit
<https://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term305> for fiber-optic
<https://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10> cable, reducing the cost of
deployment. EWEB also has the expertise to complete the installation, as
well as manage and operate the infrastructure. They lease dark fiber to
private Internet service providers (ISPs) to encourage competition over the
shared public infrastructure.

... Growing Muni Fiber is Good News for Connectivity in Oregon ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/eugene-encouraged-expanding-fiber-project>

Trust In Government: Strongest Close To Home
<https://muninetworks.org/content/trust-government-strongest-close-home>
Tue, September 27, 2016 | Posted by hannah
<https://muninetworks.org/users/hannah>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/trust-government-strongest-close-home>

We have recently covered state laws preempting local control,
especially in North
Carolina and Tennessee <https://muninetworks.org/tags-131>. State
governments are supposed to be “laboratories of democracy” and
municipalities are sub-parts of the state. Preemption is ostensibly to
prevent problems, but instead these state laws limit local governments’
solutions for ensuring better connectivity.

At the same time, people trust their local government more than their state
government to handle problems. That’s the latest finding from Gallup’s most
recent Governance Poll, and that makes sense for all of us following
community networks.

It's no surprise that trust starts with local community leaders. We have
spoken to a number of public officials that acknowledge that when you know
your elected official - perhaps live down the street from them or run into
them at the grocery store - it's much easier to know that they share your
hopes for the community.

... A Few More Details and Charts Here ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/trust-government-strongest-close-home>

RVBA Gets Governor Kudos
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rvba-gets-governor-kudos>
Wed, September 28, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<https://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rvba-gets-governor-kudos>

Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe recognized the
community of Roanoke and the Roanoke Valley Broadband Authority (RVBA) for
their work in bringing better connectivity to the region. McAuliffe
presented the Governor’s Technology Award
<http://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=16671> at the
Commonwealth of Virginia Innovative Technology Symposium (COVITS) in
Richmond on September 7th.

The award recognizes the project because it has improved government service
delivery and efficiency. In addition to serving local government, the
network provides high-quality connectivity for businesses, offering
affordable
<https://muninetworks.org/content/full-speed-and-price-list-ahead-roanoke-valley-broadband-authority>
dark
fiber, transport service, and dedicated Internet service. Christopher spoke
with President and CEO Frank Smith about the network in episode #221
<https://muninetworks.org/content/virginias-roanoke-valley-opens-fiber-access-community-broadband-bits-podcast-221>
of
the Community Broadband Bits podcast.

... Well Deserved - More Details Here ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/rvba-gets-governor-kudos>

AT&T Makes Good On Threats, Sues In Nashville
<https://muninetworks.org/content/att-makes-good-threats-sues-nashville>
Thu, September 29, 2016 | Posted by lgonzalez
<https://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/att-makes-good-threats-sues-nashville>

AT&T lawyers filed suit against Nashville
<http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2016/09/22/att-sues-nashville-over-google-fiber-one-touch-law/90852632/>
just
two days after Mayor Megan Barry signed the new One Touch Make Ready (OTMR)
ordinance into law. The Metro Council passed the proposal for the final
time, and sent it on to the Mayor, on September 20th.

*Seeking Out Streamlining*

OTMR was proposed
<https://muninetworks.org/content/nashville-one-touch-make-ready-moves-forward>
by
Google Fiber, which wants to enter the Nashville market by deploying an
aerial fiber network. In order to do that, they need to attach fiber-optic
<https://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10> cables to utility poles around
town, but the current process is cumbersome and will significantly delay
the rollout. OTMR streamlines the procedure but would allow some one other
than AT&T to manage the rearrangement of wires on all poles in the
Nashville rights-of-way. The telecom giant owns about 20 percent of the
poles in Nashville; the city’s electric utility, NES, owns the rest.

... AT&T Sues to Stop Nashville From Removing Barriers to Entry? Will
Wonders Never Cease ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/att-makes-good-threats-sues-nashville>

Port of Ridgefield Receives Grant for Feasibility Study
<https://muninetworks.org/content/port-ridgefield-receives-grant-feasibility-study>
Sat, October 01, 2016 | Posted by KateSvitavsky
<https://muninetworks.org/users/katesvitavsky>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/port-ridgefield-receives-grant-feasibility-study>

Ridgefield, Washington, a community of about 4,800 located about 25 miles
north of Portland, is one step closer to establishing a dark fiber network
for the Port of Ridgefield after taking advantage of state funding for
community revitalization. On September 15, the state’s Community Economic
Revitalization Board approved a $50,000 grant for the project
<http://www.vbjusa.com/news/top-stories/port-ridgefield-gets-50000-grant-pursue-fiber-network/>,
and the city has approved matching funds to initiate the planning process.

“A unanimous decision by the board to award us the grant in the full amount
we applied for is much appreciated,” Port of Ridgefield vice president of
innovation Nelson Holmberg said. “It recognizes our disciplined approach
and smart policy we’ve established as we work to ‘light up’ the Discovery
Corridor.”

... Another Port Expanding Publicly Owned Fiber ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/port-ridgefield-receives-grant-feasibility-study>

Community Broadband Media Roundup - October 3
<https://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-october-3>
Mon, October 03, 2016 | Posted by Nick <https://muninetworks.org/users/nick>
<https://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-october-3>

*Georgia*

Broadband survey looks to boost Internet service in rural Northeast Georgia
<http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/119305/> by Joshua
Silavent, Gainesville Times

In Dahlonega, for example, residents have only Windstream to choose from.
The only thing preventing new providers from emerging in rural parts of the
state is economics.

“I don’t believe a monopoly is the answer,” Gooch said.

*Indiana*

Lafayette upgrades public Wi-Fi access
<http://www.jconline.com/story/news/2016/09/23/lafayette-upgrades-public-wi-fi-access/90413208/>
by
Jeremy Ervin, Lafayette Journal & Courier

... Read the Full Community Network Media Roundup Here ...
<https://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-october-3>

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