<div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:12.8000001907349px"><i style="font-size:13px">Recent Stories from MuniNetworks.org - a project of the </i><i style="font-size:13px">Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Instructions for unsubscribing appear at bottom.  Send feedback.  Forward Widely.<br></i></div><div><i style="font-size:13px"><br></i></div><div><i style="font-size:13px"><br></i></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://muninetworks.org/content/maine-island-stranded-without-fiber-community-broadband-bits-podcast-155" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Maine Island Stranded Without Fiber - Community Broadband Bits Podcast 155</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, June 16, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/christopher" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">christopher</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://muninetworks.org/content/maine-island-stranded-without-fiber-community-broadband-bits-podcast-155" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://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">Many communities feel like they are an island without proper connectivity but Islesboro, Maine, is literally an island... without proper connectivity. This week, we talk with Page Clason, Manager of the <a href="http://townofislesboro.com/committees/broadband/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Broadband Internet Working Group</a> for the island that is moving toward a fiber solution to expand high quality Internet access.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We discuss the differences between a mainland community and island life, the dynamic between full time residents and people who live on the island part of the time, and what Islesboro is doing to ensure everyone has high quality Internet access.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We also touch on the discussions around how to pay for the fiber. We recently wrote about the <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/islesboro-maine-voters-approve-first-round-muni-funding" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">vote to move forward with an engineering study and contractor search</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/maine-island-stranded-without-fiber-community-broadband-bits-podcast-155">... Listen to the Show Here ...</a></p></div></div><div><i style="font-size:13px"><br></i></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://muninetworks.org/content/chattanoogas-epb-local-cooperative-and-athens-utility-board-collaborate-better-internet" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Chattanooga's EPB, Local Cooperative, and Athens Utility Board Collaborate For Better Internet</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, June 15, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://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://muninetworks.org/content/chattanoogas-epb-local-cooperative-and-athens-utility-board-collaborate-better-internet" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://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"><a href="http://www.cityofathenstn.com/index.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Athens, Tennessee</a>, has struck a deal with Chattanooga's EPB and the Volunteer Energy Cooperative (VEC) that could facilitate the city's interest in a municipal fiber network. <a href="http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2015/may/06/athens-tn-get-fiber-optic-internet-thanks-epb/302745/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">According to the Times Free Press</a>, the Athens Utility Board (AUB) hammered out the final agreement earlier this month.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">AUB is leasing fiber from VEC that carries a gigabit signal from EBP to the AUB system.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">According to the article, AUB has explored the prospect of developing their own fiber network as early as November 2013 and now offers Internet access to one business in a local business park. AUB General Manager Eric Newberry told the AUB Board that they plan to approach other local businesses to set up additional commercial accounts. They plan a slow buildout and urge local businesses, many of them clamoring for a reliable connection, to be patient as they take next steps.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/chattanoogas-epb-local-cooperative-and-athens-utility-board-collaborate-better-internet">... Read the Rest of Our 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://muninetworks.org/content/boston-globe-profiles-lafayette-opencape-inspired" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Boston Globe Profiles Lafayette; OpenCape Inspired</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, June 18, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://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://muninetworks.org/content/boston-globe-profiles-lafayette-opencape-inspired" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://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">In a <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/05/23/broadband-competition-cajun-style/cOfdIzHm4JhMigFmVl8buI/story.html#" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">recent Boston Globe Opinion</a>, Dante Ramos notes that Boston has a reputation as a technology hub. When seeking options and affordability, however, Ramos recounts the successful approach of Lafayette, Louisiana:</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">Today, the top broadband speeds advertised to residential customers in Boston are about one-ninth of what’s available in Lafayette. A municipal network in Boston isn’t inconceivable; the<a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term10" 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="A system that uses glass (or plastic) to carry light which is used to transmit information.  Typically, each side of the fiber is attached to a laser that send the light signals.  When the connection reaches capacity, the lasers may be upgraded to send much more information along the same strand of fiber.  This technology has been used for decades and will remain the dominant method of transmitting information for the foreseeable future.">fiber-optic</cite></a> network now connecting scores of government facilities could theoretically become the spine of a citywide system.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px">Ramos acknowledges the challenges Boston would face if it were to take up such a project, but he also notes that it was no small feat for Lafayette. The economic development gains have more than justified the investment:</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">Half a decade later, though, the benefits have come into view. A company serving an active Louisiana film industry can use the Lafayette network to transmit massive quantities of digital footage. Employees of a major jewelry manufacturer in town can get medical advice remotely without having to go in and out of a highly secure plant. And the presence of the network is shaping investment decisions in subtle ways.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/boston-globe-profiles-lafayette-opencape-inspired">... Read our In-Depth Coverage Here ...</a><br><br></p></div></div></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://muninetworks.org/content/wiredscore-rates-commercial-real-estate-connectivity-nyc" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">WiredScore Rates Commercial Real Estate Connectivity in NYC</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, June 17, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://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://muninetworks.org/content/wiredscore-rates-commercial-real-estate-connectivity-nyc" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-nyc.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="47" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">As a major metropolitan community, New York City has found a way to establish a link between connectivity and real estate for potential commercial tenants. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">WiredNYC, a certification program launched in 2013, provides broadband ratings for office buildings in the city. WiredNYC has been renamed WiredScore and now operates across the United States, in partnership with local governments. The program provides a simple survey online <a href="http://wiredscore.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">at WiredScore.com</a> that analyzes a variety of factors and provides a rating based on:</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"><strong>Building Connectivity</strong>: The number of internet service providers, the quality and speed of connections, and the access to provider cabling in the building...</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Infrastructure</strong>: Factors specific to the building's physical internet infrastructure (i.e., number of entry points, designated utility spaces, and risers)...</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Readiness</strong>: How ready a building is to improve its connectivity... </p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/wiredscore-rates-commercial-real-estate-connectivity-nyc">... Get Many More Details From our Full Story ...</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://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-june-19" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Community Broadband Media Roundup - June 19</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">Mon, June 22, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://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://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-june-19" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://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"><a href="http://nextcenturycities.org/2015/06/17/35-mayors-and-elected-officials-call-for-accessible-broadband-performance-information-following-gao-investigation/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">35 Mayors and Elected Officials Call for Accessible Broadband Performance Information Following GAO Investigation</a>, Next Century Cities</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px">To help our communities access these critical opportunities, we have joined the city-to-city collaborative Next Century Cities, which supports local efforts to provide these networks. We are working to provide the high-quality Internet that is essential to thriving communities and remain deeply appreciative of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to safeguard the principle of local choice and empower more communities to achieve high-speed broadband Internet.</p></blockquote><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Community Broadband Media Roundup- By State</strong></p><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Colorado</strong></p><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.timescall.com/news_region-news/ci_28325938/firestone-commissions-municipal-internet-study" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Firestone commissions municipal Internet study</a> by Karen Antonacci, Times-Call Region News</p><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.koaa.com/story/29357253/homeowners-near-palmer-divide-stuck-with-slow-internet-or-no-internet-at-all" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Homeowners near Palmer Divide stuck with slow Internet or no Internet at all </a>by Eric Ross, KOAA</p><blockquote style="margin:1em 2em;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em;font-style:italic"><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px">Davis says no company he's talked with is willing to expand service in the area. He tells News5 each time a provider comes back with an offer and he agrees, the offer price keeps increasing.</p><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px">Two of the largest providers in Colorado have contracts with El Paso County, so we wanted to know whether these providers were in violation by providing access to some homeowners, but not others.</p></blockquote><p class="" style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-june-19">... The Full Community Network Media Roundup is Here ...</a></p></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>

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