<div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:12.8px"><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.</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/voters-quiet-drums-polls-colorado" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Municipal Broadband Referenda Crush the Polls in Colorado</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:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Wed, November 04, 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:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/voters-quiet-drums-polls-colorado" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/ballot-box.jpg" alt="" title="" width="96" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The "constant drumbeat" of complaints about poor connectivity pounding from Colorado communities ended with a climactic crash at the polls on Tuesday.<a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/let-it-be-local-43-colorado-communities-vote-better-broadband" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Referenda in 44 communities</a>* - 27 cities and towns; 17 counties - all passed overwhelmingly to reclaim local telecommunications authority. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Staggering Approval</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The landslide victory was no surprise. Last year, nine communities asked voters the same issue of whether or not they wanted the ability to make local telecommunications decisions. That right was taken away 10 years ago by SB 152. Two other communities took up the question earlier this year with <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/grand-junction-voters-we-want-local-authority" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">75 percent</a> and <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/grand-junction-voters-we-want-local-authority" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">92 percent</a> of voters supporting local telecommunications authority.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">A few larger communities, such as <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/republicans-and-democrats-alike-restore-local-authority-colorado" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Boulder</a>, <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/voters-approve-local-telecommunications-authority-montrose-colorado" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Montrose</a>, and <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/denver-suburb-seeks-take-back-local-authority" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Centennial</a>, presented the issue to the voters and reclaimed local authority in prior years. This year, most of the voting took place in smaller, rural communities where incumbents have little incentive to invest in network upgrades.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/voters-quiet-drums-polls-colorado">... Read Our Full Coverage and the Percentage of Victory for Every Vote ...</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/decorah-and-vinton-voters-choose-munis-better-connectivity-corn-belt" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Decorah and Vinton Voters Choose Munis for Better Connectivity in the Corn Belt</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Thu, November 05, 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:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/decorah-and-vinton-voters-choose-munis-better-connectivity-corn-belt" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-iowa.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Colorado may have been <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/voters-quiet-drums-polls-colorado" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">the epicenter</a> of local authority disruption this election cycle but two Iowa elections were also worth exploring.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Decorah Chooses Muni Authority</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">In Decorah, the community of 8,000 <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/decorah-fiber-network-wins-civic-award" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">received awards</a> for its innovative use of the city's dark fiber network, MetroNet. A community led effort, <a href="http://www.decorahfastfiber.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Decorah FastFiber</a>, convinced community leaders to ask voters if they want to expand the use of that fiber. Voters decided <strong>1,289 to 95</strong> to give the city the authority to establish a municipal telecommunications network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Decorah's ballot question specifically asked if that authority should extend to video, voice, telephone, data, and all other forms of telecommunications and cable communications, <a href="http://www.decorahnews.com/news-stories/2015/11/12147.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reports the News</a>. A second ballot question, which passed with similar results, asked voters to authorize the city to establish a Board of Trustees for the utility.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/decorah-and-vinton-voters-choose-munis-better-connectivity-corn-belt">... More on These Iowa Victories Here ...</a></p></div></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/chattanooga-crushes-it-marketing-technology-and-nearby-communities-community-broadband-bits-" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Chattanooga Crushes It - Marketing, Technology, and Nearby Communities - Community Broadband Bits Podcast 175</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:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, November 03, 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:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/chattanooga-crushes-it-marketing-technology-and-nearby-communities-community-broadband-bits-" 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">Chattanooga returns to the Community Broadband Bits podcast this week in episode 175 to talk about their 10 <a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term14" 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="Gigabits per second - or one billion bits per second.  8 Gbps means that 8 billion bits are transferred each second.  Using an 8 Gbps connection, it would take 1 second to transfer a 1 GB (Gigabyte) file - a compressed 90 min movie, for instance.  1 Kbps (Kilobits)<1 Mbps (Megabits)<1 Gbps">Gbps</cite></a> upgrade, the <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/more-fiberventions-chattanooga" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">fibervention</a> campaign,<a href="http://www.tn4fiber.org/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">TN4Fiber</a>, and having surpassed 75,000 subscribers.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">For so much content, we have three guests joining us from Chattanooga's Electric Power Board (the EPB in <a href="https://epbfi.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">EPB Fiber</a>): Danna Bailey is the VP of Corporate Communications, Beth Johnson is the Marketing Manager, and Colman Keane is the Director of Fiber Technology.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Danna gives some background on what they are doing in Chattanooga and how excited people in nearby communities are for Chattanooga to bring local Internet choice to SE Tennessee if the state would stop protecting the AT&T, Comcast, and Charter monopolies from competition.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Beth tells us about the Fibervention campaign and how excited people are once they experience the full fiber optic experience powered by a locally-based provider.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">And finally, Colman talks tech with us regarding the 10 Gbps platform, branded NextNet. We tried to get a bit more technical for the folks that are very curious about these cutting edge technologies on a passive optical network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">... <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/chattanooga-crushes-it-marketing-technology-and-nearby-communities-community-broadband-bits-">Listen to the Show Here </a>... <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-175" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Read the transcript from episode 175 here</a> ...</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><br></p></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/muniwireless-works-lompoc%E2%80%A6just-way-they-it" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">MuniWireless Works in Lompoc…Just The Way They Like It</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:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, November 02, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">hannah</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/muniwireless-works-lompoc%E2%80%A6just-way-they-it" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-lompoc-ca.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The early 2000s created a boom of both public and private wireless projects throughout the U.S., but many struggled with unrealistic expectations and flopped. Successful muni wireless networks transformed themselves, adapting to the changing needs of the communities. Some, such as <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/gig-city-sandy-home-60-gig" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Sandy, Oregon</a>, have transitioned to Fiber-To-The-Home (<a class="" href="http://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 where the high-speed <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> cable is hooked up directly to the home. Others repurposed their networks to provide other needed services -- like in Lompoc, California.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Lompoc transformed its <a href="http://lompocrecord.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/service-launched-in-is-revenue-neutral/article_4d3916ea-c1b0-11e1-a33c-001a4bcf887a.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">$4 million</a> muniwireless network, <a href="http://www.cityoflompoc.com/lompocnet/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">LompocNet</a>, into a full-fledged Broadband Utility. Originally, the city council hatched the idea of a subscriber-based <a class="" href="http://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>network, but times changed quickly. Now, the Broadband Utility primarily provides much-needed internal connectivity for city services.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/muniwireless-works-lompoc%E2%80%A6just-way-they-it">... Read our Full Original 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/new-england-greenfield-votes-municipal-network-too" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">In New England, Greenfield Votes For a Municipal Network Too</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Fri, November 06, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">hannah</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/new-england-greenfield-votes-municipal-network-too" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-greenfield-ma.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="111" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">It wasn’t just <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/voters-quiet-drums-polls-colorado" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Colorado cities and counties</a> along with <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/decorah-and-vinton-voters-choose-munis-better-connectivity-corn-belt" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Iowa communities</a> voting this week. Back east, Greenfield, Massachusetts also rushed to the polls to support local Internet choice.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Greenfield is planning to use a combination of fiber and <a class="" href="http://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> to deliver services - an approach that has had limited success in the past due to the technical limitations of Wi-Fi. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>The Vote</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">At Tuesday’s Annual Meeting, residents voted on the future of high-speed Internet access in the town. The referendum, the first step in creating a municipal broadband network, saw a landslide victory. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The people gave a resounding message that they wanted to pursue a network: 3,287 people voted in favor; only 696 were opposed. According to the local paper <a href="http://www.recorder.com/news/townbytown/greenfield/19292891-95/municipal-provided-broadband-wins-big-at-greenfield-polls?mc_cid=f8cfa39ee9&mc_eid=e00c29a42c" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">the Recorder</a>, this nonbinding ballot referendum allows the town to create a nonprofit to run the municipal broadband network. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/new-england-greenfield-votes-municipal-network-too">... Read the Rest About This Plan Here ...</a><br><br></p></div><h2 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.5em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/west-virginia-coop-expands-rural-internet-access" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">West Virginia Coop Expands Rural Internet Access</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, November 03, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/hannah" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">hannah</a></span></div><div class="" style="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/west-virginia-coop-expands-rural-internet-access" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/SKSRT-logo.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="63" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">As in the rest of the country, broadband is now a necessity for rural economic development in West Virginia. Taking on the challenge, <a href="http://www.spruceknob.net/index.htm" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks Telephone (SKSRT) cooperative</a> overcame impressive obstacles to build a state-of-the-art fiber optic network. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The cooperative operates in some of the most serene landscape in the United States and some of the most difficult terrain for fiber deployments. The region’s economy primarily relies on ski resorts and tourism from its namesake, Spruce Knob, the highest peak in the Allegheny Mountains. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">SKSRT’s service area also includes the National Radio Quiet Zone, which creates unique challenges for the cooperative. Established in 1958 by the FCC, the National Radio Quiet Zone protects the radio telescopes at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory from interference.  Because these telescopes are incredibly sensitive, the region is greatly restricted in deploying different types of telecommunication technologies. In certain areas of the quiet zone, closest to the observatory, wireless routers and two-way radios are prohibited. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/west-virginia-coop-expands-rural-internet-access">... More About this Coop Success Story 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://muninetworks.org/content/rfp-erie-county-means-big-broadband-plans-upstate-new-york" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">RFP in Erie County Means Big Broadband Plans in Upstate New York</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:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Wed, November 04, 2015 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/ternste" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">ternste</a></span></div><div class="" style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/rfp-erie-county-means-big-broadband-plans-upstate-new-york" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-erie-county-ny.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">In October 2015, government officials in Erie County, New York announced the release of a <a href="http://www2.erie.gov/purchasing/sites/www2.erie.gov.purchasing/files/uploads/rfps/BROADBAND%20INTERNET%20FEASIBILITY%20STUDY%202015.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Request for Proposals (RFP)</a> seeking an organization to study the feasibility of building a county-wide broadband network. Located in upstate New York and home to over 900,000 people, Erie County stretches over 1,200 square feet; the county seat is Buffalo.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://news.wbfo.org/post/erie-county-exploring-idea-municipal-broadband#stream/0" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Legislator Patrick Burke</a> notes that community broadband projects have become a rare kind of government-led initiative that appeals to people across all political divides:</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 covers all grounds and sort of goes beyond political ideology. It’s a quality service. It could provide revenues that the county desperately needs, it could attract business, it could spark economic development and it could create jobs. So, there’s a little bit in this for everybody,” said Burke.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/rfp-erie-county-means-big-broadband-plans-upstate-new-york">... Read the Rest Here ...</a><br><br></p></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/happy-birthday-next-century-cities" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Happy Birthday, Next Century Cities!</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:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Sun, November 08, 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:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/happy-birthday-next-century-cities" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-next-century-cities.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="47" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">One year ago, we helped <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/next-century-cities-community-broadband-bits-podcast-episode-121" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">launch Next Century Cities</a>, a collaboration between local governments that want to ensure fast, reliable, affordable Internet access for all. Our own Chris Mitchell, as Policy Director, has helped shape the organization with Executive Director Deb Socia and Deputy Director Todd O'Boyle.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Over the past 12 months:</p><ul style="margin:1em 0px;padding-left:2em"><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Membership has grown from 32 communities to 121</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Population represented by Next Century Cities has climbed from 6.5 million to 23.9 million</li><li style="margin:0px 0px 1em 20px;padding:0px;list-style:disc">Member states have increased from 19 to 33</li></ul><p style="margin:1em 0px">The organization has been <a href="http://nextcenturycities.org/2015/09/23/next-century-cities-key-player-at-white-house-roundtable-on-broadband-connectivity/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">recognized by</a> the White House, <a href="http://nextcenturycities.org/2015/10/28/executive-director-deb-socia-testifies-before-house-committee-on-barriers-to-broadband-deployment/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">testified</a> before Congress, and has been instrumental in launching a number of awards. The organization has <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/new-policy-agenda-next-century-cities-now-available" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">developed resources</a> and<a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/video-next-century-cities-digital-new-england-conference" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">organized events</a> to assemble members who want to share innovative ideas. Learn more about their accomplishments <a href="http://nextcenturycities.org/2015/11/03/celebrating-one-year-of-next-century-cities/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">at the blog</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We look forward to another year of working with Next Century Cities toward the goal of fast, affordable, reliable Internet access for all.<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-november-6" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Community Broadband Media Roundup - November 6</a></h2><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px;line-height:18.004px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Sun, November 08, 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:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-november-6" 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 style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>News Stories By State</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>California</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus-20151030-column.html?mc_cid=f8cfa39ee9&mc_eid=2910c7b52b" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Americans are paying more for broadband speed but getting less</a> by David Lazarus, The Los Angeles Times</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"> </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Colorado</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29053351/colorado-communities-trying-lift-limits-municipal-broadband" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Colorado communities trying to lift limits on municipal broadband </a>by John Aguilar, The Denver Post</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.fiercetelecom.com/story/seven-colorado-cities-counties-lift-10-year-ban-municipal-broadband-investm/2015-11-04" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Twenty six Colorado cities, counties lift 10-year ban on municipal broadband investment</a> by Sean Buckley, Fierce Telecom</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-november-6">... Read our Full Community Network Media Roundup here ...</a></p></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><br></p></div></div><div><br></div></div>

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