<div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:13px"><i>Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Instructions for unsubscribing appear at bottom.  Send feedback.  Forward Widely.</i><br></div><div style="font-size:13px"><i><br></i></div><div><br></div>
<div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/small-illinois-town-will-vote-fiber-investment-april" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Small Illinois Town Will Vote On Fiber Investment in April</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, March 24, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/small-illinois-town-will-vote-fiber-investment-april" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-gilberts-il.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="85" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The <a href="http://www.villageofgilberts.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Village of Gilberts, Illinois,</a> will ask voters in April to authorize up to $5 million in General Obligation bonds to deploy a <a class="" href="http://www.muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13" style="text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(0,136,0);color:rgb(121,80,37)"><cite title="Fiber-to-the-home.  As most telecommunications networks use fiber in some part of it, FTTH is used to specify those that use fiber to connect the subscriber.  Some claim they have a fiber-optic network because they use fiber to the node even when they use phone lines or a cable network over the last mile.  FTTH may be more expensive to install currently, but offers significant savings in terms of maintenance when compared to copper alternatives.">FTTH</cite></a> network <a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150306/news/150309160/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reports the Daily Herald</a>. GO bonds are rarely used for network deployment but often used for public works projects and other publicly owned assets. Due to the funding mechanism in Gilberts, the network would be publicly owned.</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">"It's something that is not readily available in other communities," Village Administrator Ray Keller said. "It would set us apart and put us on a path to better meet the needs of our residents and businesses as their demands and needs for technology grows."</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px">The community, home to 6,800 people, has experienced rapid population growth since 2000. At that time only 1,200 people lived in this northeast Kane County village.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/small-illinois-town-will-vote-fiber-investment-april">... Get the Rest of the Details Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/explaining-fcc-muni-order-removing-state-barriers-community-broadband-bits-episode-143" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Explaining the FCC Muni Order Removing State Barriers - Community Broadband Bits Episode 143</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, March 24, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/christopher" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">christopher</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/explaining-fcc-muni-order-removing-state-barriers-community-broadband-bits-episode-143" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-community-bb-bits_0.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">After anticipating this moment for many months, we have a ruling from the FCC that has restored local authority to build and expand networks in North Carolina and Tennessee. Though we have <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/fcc-opinion-and-order-striking-down-local-authority-limits-tn-and-nc-highlights" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">already pulled out the key passages</a> for readers, we wanted to discuss the decision with Jim Baller of <a href="http://www.baller.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Baller, Herbst, Stokes, & Lide</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Jim worked with Wilson and Chattanooga in crafting their petitions and sat down with me last week at the <a href="http://www.iamu.org/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities</a> Broadband Conference in Des Moines last week.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We went over the key issues in the ruling, including why the FCC had authority to take action, how the state laws limited investment in advanced Internet networks, the impact of the ruling, and what comes next.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">See our other <a href="http://muninetworks.org/tags/tags/jim-baller" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">podcasts with Jim as well as articles that we tagged him in here</a>. Read the <a href="http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0312/FCC-15-25A1.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">FCC's Memorandum and Order here [pdf]</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">... <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/explaining-fcc-muni-order-removing-state-barriers-community-broadband-bits-episode-143">Listen to the Show Here</a> ... <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-143" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Read the transcript from our conversation here</a> ...</p></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/lafayette-considers-expansion-one-nearby-town-strikes-itself-list" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Lafayette Considers Expansion, One Nearby Town Strikes Itself From List</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Wed, March 25, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/lafayette-considers-expansion-one-nearby-town-strikes-itself-list" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-LUS_1.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="64" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">We have long applauded communities that have built their own fiber networks and then elect to expand them to neighboring communities. In Louisiana for example, Lafayette could hoard its network, forcing people that want the best connectivity in the region to move within its borders. But instead, it is preparing to expand the network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">City-Parish President Joey Durel announced that the municipal network would begin expanding beyond Lafayette city limits. <a href="http://theadvocate.com/news/11574842-123/durel-lus-fiber-to-offer" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">An article in <em>The Advocate</em> quoted Durel</a>:</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">“As I have traveled this parish, one of the most common things I am asked is, ‘When will we get fiber?’ That answer depended in large part on making fiber successful in Lafayette. We’re there,” Durel told the crowd that filled the Cajundome Convention Center.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px">... <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/lafayette-considers-expansion-one-nearby-town-strikes-itself-list">Read Our Full Story Here</a> ... <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/opportunities-and-challenges-lafayette-considers-muni-fiber-expansion-community-broadband">Listen to Our Interview with Terry Huval</a> ...</p></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/bristol-city-council-passes-resolution-supporting-bill-end-tennessee-muni-barriers" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Bristol City Council Passes Resolution Supporting Bill to End Tennessee Muni Barriers</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, March 23, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/bristol-city-council-passes-resolution-supporting-bill-end-tennessee-muni-barriers" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-bristol-tn.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="98" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">At its March 3rd City Council meeting, elected leaders in Bristol voted 4 - 1 to adopt resolution 15 - 8 <a href="http://www.tricities.com/news/article_660e5dc8-c22b-11e4-b9bf-673b65d2a375.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reported TriCities.com</a>. The resolution officially supports state legislation removing state barriers that prevent municipal electric utilities from offering Internet service beyond their electric service footprint. State Senator Janice Bowling and Representative Kevin Brooks are sponsoring SB 1134 and its <a href="http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/109/Bill/HB1303.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">companion HB 1303 [PDF].</a></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/welcome-gigabit-club-btes" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES)</a> is one of the state's gigabit <a class="" href="http://www.muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term13" style="text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(0,136,0);color:rgb(121,80,37)"><cite title="Fiber-to-the-home.  As most telecommunications networks use fiber in some part of it, FTTH is used to specify those that use fiber to connect the subscriber.  Some claim they have a fiber-optic network because they use fiber to the node even when they use phone lines or a cable network over the last mile.  FTTH may be more expensive to install currently, but offers significant savings in terms of maintenance when compared to copper alternatives.">FTTH</cite></a> networks but like Chattanooga, is limited by state geographic restrictions. The recent <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/cable-companies-lose-big-fcc-barriers-community-broadband-struck-down" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">FCC decision to overturn</a>Tennessee and North Carolina state barriers has removed that legal provision but Bowling and Brooks want to make sure it happens and that Tennessee is able to embrace smarter policy without FCC intervention.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/bristol-city-council-passes-resolution-supporting-bill-end-tennessee-muni-barriers">... Read the Resolution and More of the Story Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/tennessee-files-appeal-fcc-order-scaling-back-state-barriers" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Tennessee Files Appeal to FCC Order Scaling Back State Barriers</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, March 24, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/tennessee-files-appeal-fcc-order-scaling-back-state-barriers" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-tennessee.png" alt="" title="" width="124" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The State of Tennessee has filed the first appeal to the recent <a href="http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2015/db0312/FCC-15-25A1.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">FCC Opinion and Order [PDF]</a> reducing state barriers to municipal broadband. Governor Bill Haslam appears determined to keep his constituents in the Internet slow lane.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The state filed the short petition on March 20th arguing [<a href="https://www.scribd.com/doc/259783386/Tennessee-vs-Fcc" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">view the petition on Scribd.</a>]:</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">The State of Tennessee, as a sovereign and a party to the proceeding below, is aggrieved and seeks relief on the grounds that the Order: (1) is contrary to the United States Constitution; (2) is in excess of the Commission’s authority; (3) is arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion within the meaning of the Administrative Procedure Act; and (4) is otherwise contrary to law.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px">Haslam expressed his intention to explore the possibility of filing the appeal earlier this month <a href="http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/politics/state/story/2015/mar/03/lawmakers-urge-tn-attorney-general-appeal-fcc-ruling-allows-epb-expand-gig/291266/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reported the Times Free Press</a>. In February, the Governor and Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery signed a letter from a number of state officials to the FCC urging them not to change state law. U.S. Rep from Tennessee Marsha Blackburn and her Senate counterpart Thom Tillis <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/blackburn-and-tillis-introduce-bill-aimed-undo-fcc-decision-restore-local-authority" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">introduced legislation </a>to fight the Order just days after the FCC decision.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/tennessee-files-appeal-fcc-order-scaling-back-state-barriers">... Read Our Full Coverage Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/hudson-developing-plans-muni-fiber-open-access-network-ohio" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Hudson Developing Plans for Muni Fiber Open Access Network in Ohio</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Thu, March 26, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/hudson-developing-plans-muni-fiber-open-access-network-ohio" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-hudson-oh-broadband.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="60" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Hudson is moving ahead with plans to develop a publicly owned fiber network,<a href="http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news%20local/2015/03/11/city-continues-on-fiber-optic-path-for-communication" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reports the Hub Times</a>. The City Council recently approved a contract with a consultant to develop a conceptual design, implement the plan, and recruit service providers interested in operating over an <a class="" href="http://www.muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term625" style="text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(0,136,0);color:rgb(121,80,37)"><cite title="An arrangement in which the network is open to independent service providers to offer services.  In many cases, the network owner only sells wholesale access to the service providers who offer all retail services (ie: triple play of internet, phone, tv).  Open access provides much more competition from which potential subscribers can choose.">open access</cite></a> network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">In January, the town of about 23,000 <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/ohio-hudson-offers-broadband-survey" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">conducted a residential and business survey</a> to determine the overall state of broadband in the community. At a February meeting, the Council reviewed the survey results. Almost 1,000 residents and 133 businesses answered the survey which revealed that Internet services were lacking in coverage, speed, performance, and reliability. From a <a href="http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news%20local/2015/02/18/city-takes-next-step-toward-broadband-service" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">February Hub Times article</a>:</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">Hudson's small and medium business community reported many issues with their current broadband services, citing poor reliability and performance as negatively affecting their ability to do business in the city. Many businesses wanted to upgrade to a better service but found that they could not afford to do so.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/hudson-developing-plans-muni-fiber-open-access-network-ohio">... Learn More About Their Approach Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/amherst-massachusetts-exploring-fiber-economic-development-downtown" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Amherst, Massachusetts Exploring Fiber for Economic Development Downtown</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Fri, March 27, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/amherst-massachusetts-exploring-fiber-economic-development-downtown" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-amherst-ma.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="124" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) recently hired a firm to prepare an engineering study aimed at bringing fiber connectivity to its downtown <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/03/amherst_to_study_cost_feasibil.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reports MassLive.</a> </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">In 2007, the community began offering free <a class="" href="http://www.muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term29" style="text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(0,136,0);color:rgb(121,80,37)"><cite title="This is a suite of protocols that allow wireless devices to exchange information using unlicensed frequencies.  Equipment carrying the Wi-Fi brand is interoperable.  Recently, a number of cities and some private companies attempted to blanket their cities with Wi-Fi but the technology is not well suited to such large scale efforts.  Wi-Fi has proved tremendously successful in homes and businesses on small cities.">Wi-Fi</cite></a> downtown after receiving a grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to build a wireless mesh network. The city worked with UMass Amherst, DARPA, and NSF to deploy the system. In 2013, the city <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/amherst-ma-upgrades-its-free-wifi" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">invested in upgrades</a> which increased speeds and extended the network's geographic coverage area.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Community leaders feel Amherst needs fiber to boost economic development now and in the future. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/amherst-massachusetts-exploring-fiber-economic-development-downtown">... Read More About Amherst's Approach Here ...</a></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/orlando-sentinel-op-ed-local-governments-should-make-broadband-choices" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Orlando Sentinel Op-Ed - Local governments should make broadband choices</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:14px;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, March 23, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/rebecca" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">rebecca</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/orlando-sentinel-op-ed-local-governments-should-make-broadband-choices" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-orlando-sentinel.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="86" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><em><a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-community-broadband-031215-20150311-story.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">The Orlando Sentinel</a> published this op-ed about local government action for broadband networks on March 11, 2015. </em></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Local governments should make broadband choices <br>By Christopher Mitchell<br></strong></p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px"><em>Community broadband must be a local choice, a guest columnist writes.</em></p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px">When Comcast announced plans last year to invest hundreds of millions in theme parks in Florida and California, its customers may have wondered why the cable giant wasn't using those funds to deliver a faster or more reliable Internet connection. While Comcast's Universal Studios faces competition from Walt Disney World, most people don't have a real choice in high-speed Internet access.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/orlando-sentinel-op-ed-local-governments-should-make-broadband-choices">... Read the Full Op-ed Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/fiber-forum-yellow-springs-will-share-info-munis-ohio-community" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Fiber Forum in Yellow Springs Will Share Info on Munis With Ohio Community</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Wed, March 25, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/fiber-forum-yellow-springs-will-share-info-munis-ohio-community" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-yellow-springs-oh.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="50" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Join Chris and several other experts on municipal networks on April 25th as they address a crowd in <a href="http://www.yso.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Yellow Springs, </a>Ohio. <a href="http://www.yellow-springs.net/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Yellow-Springs.Net</a>, a group of residents who have rallied together to organize a movement to explore broadband as a utility in their community, will host the Fiber Forum. The event is titled<strong>"Building a Municipal Fiber Network in Yellow Springs." </strong>Chris will be joining via Skype for his presentation.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://ysnews.com/news/2015/03/talk-municipal-internet-at-fiber-forum" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">YSNews described the event</a>:</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">The forum will provide community members with insights on the advantages of having a municipal broadband network that would translate into high-speed, affordable Internet access in Yellow Springs. Springs-Net posits that, by optimizing Internet access with fiber, the Village would address strategic, economic, communication and municipal service goals.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/fiber-forum-yellow-springs-will-share-info-munis-ohio-community">... More Information Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/freedom-connect-long-term-muni-strategies" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Freedom to Connect - Long Term Muni Strategies</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Sat, March 28, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/freedom-connect-long-term-muni-strategies" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/freedom-to-connect_2.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="99" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">If you were not able to attend <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/still-time-register-f2c-2015%E2%80%A6-hurry" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Freedom to Connect in New York on March 2 - 3</a>, you can now view archived video of presentations from Chris and others.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Now that the FCC has made a determination that may change the landscape of Internet access, it is time to consider the future of municipal networks. In this discussion, Chris discusses passive infrastructure, including dark fiber and <a class="" href="http://www.muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term625" style="text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(0,136,0);color:rgb(121,80,37)"><cite title="An arrangement in which the network is open to independent service providers to offer services.  In many cases, the network owner only sells wholesale access to the service providers who offer all retail services (ie: triple play of internet, phone, tv).  Open access provides much more competition from which potential subscribers can choose.">open access</cite></a> models as a way to encourage competition on the local level. Chris also looks at financing municipal networks in a fashion that takes into account public benefits created by fiber. He suggests steps elected officials can take now that will contribute to long term ubiquitous access in their communities.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">You can also watch videos from other presenters including Joanne Hovis, Hannah Sassaman, and Jim Baller at the <a href="http://new.livestream.com/internetsociety/F2C2015/videos" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">F2C: Freedom to Connect 2015 Livestream page</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/freedom-connect-long-term-muni-strategies">... Watch the Video of Christopher's Presentation Here ...</a><br><br></p><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-27" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Community Broadband Media Roundup - March 27</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.003999710083px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Sun, March 29, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/users/rebecca" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">rebecca</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.003999710083px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-27" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://www.muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/media-roundup-community-bb.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px">This article is so good, it was hard not to quote the whole thing. Do yourself a favor and check out the article for yourself-- this is exactly why we can’t trust big cable and telephone companies to serve our communities. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://consumerist.com/2015/03/25/new-homeowner-has-to-sell-house-because-of-comcasts-incompetence-lack-of-competition/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">New Homeowner Has To Sell House Because Of Comcast’s Incompetence, Lack Of Competition</a> by Chris Morran at the Consumerist:</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p style="margin:1em 0px">Only months after moving into his new home in Washington state, Consumerist reader Seth is already looking to sell his house. He didn’t lose his job or discover that the property is haunted. No, Seth can’t stay much longer because no one can provide broadband service to his address; even though Comcast and CenturyLink both misled him into thinking he’d be connected to their networks and in spite of the fact that his county runs a high-speed fiberoptic network that goes very near to his property.</p></blockquote><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/03/new-homeowner-selling-house-because-he-cant-get-comcast-internet/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">New homeowner selling house because he can’t get Comcast Internet:</a><strong> </strong></p><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-march-27">... Read the Full Community Broadband Roundup Here ...</a></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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