<div dir="ltr"><div><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><div style="font-size:12.8px"><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/op-ed-next-generation-networks-needed" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Op-ed: Next-Generation Networks Needed</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, January 12, 2016 | 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="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/op-ed-next-generation-networks-needed" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-knoxville-sentinel.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="58" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><em>The <a href="http://www.knoxnews.com/opinion/columnists/christopher-mitchell-next-generation-networks-needed-28aeeb15-dcb5-7e88-e053-0100007f2aec-364698901.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Knoxville News Sentinel</a> published this op-ed about Tennessee's restrictive broadband law on January 9, 2016.</em></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Christopher Mitchell: Next-Generation Networks Needed</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Four words in Tennessee law are denying an important element of Tennessee's proud heritage and restricting choices for Internet access across the state.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">When private firms would not electrify Tennessee, public power came to the rescue. In the same spirit, some local governments have built their own next-generation Internet access networks because companies like AT&T refused to invest in modern technology. These municipal networks have created competition, dramatic consumer savings and a better business climate in each of their communities.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The four words at issue prevent municipal electric utilities from expanding their successful fiber optic Internet networks to their neighbors, a rejection of the public investment that built the modern economy Tennessee relies upon.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/op-ed-next-generation-networks-needed">... Read the Entire Argument 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/task-force-rural-connecticut-explores-community%E2%80%99s-appetite-fiber" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Task Force in Rural Connecticut Explores Community’s Appetite for Fiber</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, January 15, 2016 | 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="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/task-force-rural-connecticut-explores-community%E2%80%99s-appetite-fiber" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-redding-ct.jpg" alt="" title="" width="123" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">The newly formed <a href="http://townofreddingct.org/minute/utilities-task-force-3/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Utilities Task Force</a> in the <a href="http://townofreddingct.org/government/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">City of Redding</a>, Connecticut, is<a href="http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Task-force-considers-faster-Internet-in-Redding-6676377.php" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">exploring </a>the potential of bringing fiber connectivity to this rural town of about 9,000 people. Redding is about 65 miles northeast of New York City and just 25 miles north of Stamford.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">As part of their feasibility analysis, the task force sent a <a href="http://townofreddingct.org/newsletter/internet-needs-take-survey/?frame=0" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">survey </a>to residents and businesses to gauge interest in bringing a fiber network to Redding. While the analysis is still ongoing, task force board member Susan Clark expressed optimism. “I’ve been energized by how many people have shown interest in this,” Clark told the <a href="http://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Task-force-considers-faster-Internet-in-Redding-6676377.php" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">News Times.</a></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/task-force-rural-connecticut-explores-community%E2%80%99s-appetite-fiber">... Get the Rest of the Story 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/north-carolina-organizes-local-internet-choice-community-broadband-bits-episode-184" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">North Carolina Organizes for Local Internet Choice - Community Broadband Bits Episode 184</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, January 12, 2016 | 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="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/north-carolina-organizes-local-internet-choice-community-broadband-bits-episode-184" 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">The <a href="http://www.localnetchoice.org/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Coalition for Local Internet Choice (CLIC)</a> has its first local chapter with the formation of <a href="http://www.localnetchoice.org/category/clic-nc/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">CLIC-NC</a>. Catharine Rice, who is both part of CLIC-NC and the Project Director for CLIC, explains what is happening on episode 184 of the Community Broadband Bits Podcast.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We remind listeners what CLIC is and the goals of CLIC-NC more specifically. We also discuss the interesting comments of NC Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is both challenging the FCC's authority to remove North Carolina's anti-muni law and supportive of removing the law via the state legislature.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Catharine has long been involved in the effort for Local Internet Choice and put up an incredibly strong fight to stop <a href="https://ilsr.org/killing-competition-nc/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">anti-competition bills</a> advanced by Time Warner Cable, AT&T, and others over multiple years in North Carolina. She was the guest on our <a href="https://ilsr.org/killing-competition-nc/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">5th episode</a> of this show.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">... <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/north-carolina-organizes-local-internet-choice-community-broadband-bits-episode-184">Listen to the Show Here</a> ... <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-184" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">The transcript from this episode is available 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/fusion-splicing-light-village-network" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">"Fusion Splicing" to Light Up Village Network</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, January 11, 2016 | 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/fusion-splicing-light-village-network" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-illinois.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="122" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Mahomet, Illinois, population 7,200, wanted to do something special to mark the official launch of its community fiber network. The network connects local public facilities as well as some area businesses. Instead of the old-fashioned ribbon-cutting ceremony, the Village held a very 21st century event in November to commemorate the occasion: a "fusion splicing" ceremony.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The local Mahomet Citizen <a href="http://www.mcitizen.com/news/technology/2015-11-11/making-connections.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">described</a> the proceedings:</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">With the press of a button, Acting Village President Sean Widener fused two strands of fiber about the width of a human hair. A computer screen showed the progress of the splice for the crowd, which included members of the Chamber of Commerce, elected officials and Mahomet-Seymour administrators.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">It was an occasion that might otherwise call for a ribbon-cutting, “but in our industry, cutting is bad,” quipped Mark DeKeersgieter, executive director of the CIRBN.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/fusion-splicing-light-village-network">... Read the Full Fusiony 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/john-st-julien-lafayette-community-leader-passes" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">John St. Julien, Lafayette Community Leader, Passes</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, January 12, 2016 | 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/john-st-julien-lafayette-community-leader-passes" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/john-st-julien.jpg" alt="" title="" width="101" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">We learned yesterday that John St. Julien, one of the leading voices behind the strong grassroots support of the LUS Fiber project, <a href="http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2016/01/11/lafayette-education-community-advocate-dies/78627012/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">passed away</a> on Sunday, January 10. His presence will be missed by us and by the many people he helped through his work to bring better Internet access to Lafayette, Louisiana.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">John visited us for the Community Broadband Bits podcast for episodes <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-bits-19-john-st-julien-lafayette" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">#19</a> and<a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/advice-starting-community-network-community-broadband-bits-episode-94" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">#94</a> to share his advice and experience as a grassroots organizer. John developed the Lafayette Pro Fiber blog in the early days of the the <a href="http://lusfiber.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">LUS Fiber</a> network fight. The blog helped spread the truth about the network and correct the lies spread by the incumbents. His ability to communicate with the people of Lafayette set the record straight so they could make informed decisions about a municipal fiber network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/john-st-julien-lafayette-community-leader-passes">... Rest in Peace John, More 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/fifteen-fun-facts-about-noanet-fifteen-years-accomplishments" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Fifteen Fun Facts about NoaNet - Fifteen Years of Accomplishments</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">Wed, January 13, 2016 | 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/fifteen-fun-facts-about-noanet-fifteen-years-accomplishments" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-noanet-wa.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="44" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.noanet.net/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Northwest Open Access Network </a>(NoaNet) was just a dream back in 2000, but, fifteen years later, it’s one of the largest networks in the state of Washington. NoaNet is celebrating fifteen years of accomplishments, so we compiled fifteen fun facts everyone should know about this community network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>1. One of the first Open Access networks in the U.S.<br></strong>Back in 2000, people in rural Washington watched as the dot-com and telecom boom <a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term20" 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="Residences or businesses that have access to the network.  As a ftth network is constructed, it will generally be built through a neighborhood before individual houses or businesses are connected via a drop cable (which is also a fiber-optic cable).  When a house or businesses is" for="">passed</cite></a> them by. Frustrated that large ISPs refused to build infrastructure near them, the people created NoaNet and allowed anyone to use it through Open Access. This type of design encourages multiple service providers to share the infrastructure and local communities own the network.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/fifteen-fun-facts-about-noanet-fifteen-years-accomplishments">... Read all the Facts 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/reedsburg-utility-commission-receives-state-grant-expansion" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Reedsburg Utility Commission Receives State Grant for Expansion</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">Sat, January 16, 2016 | 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/reedsburg-utility-commission-receives-state-grant-expansion" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-reedsburg-rus.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="42" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">In April 2015, Wisconsin's Brett Schuppner from the Reedsburg Utility Commission (RUC) <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/reedsburg-expansion-weighed-after-muni-fiber-success-community-broadband-bits-episode-147" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">had a conversation</a> with Chris about the utility's plan to expand the municipal fiber network. Funding is one of the biggest challenges but in December, the RUC learned that it a state grant will help move those plans forward.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.wiscnews.com/news/local/article_e676da04-9e40-5f44-bb37-94061e664bd5.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">WisNews recently reported</a> that the RUC applied for $110,000 to bring the <a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term27" 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="The three main services offered over these networks - television, phone services, and Internet access.  Turns out that many people like to get all three from the same service provider on the same bill.  Service providers frequently offer deals that will lower the cost on these packages.  Typically, television breaks even or loses money whereas the service provider makes the most profits from phone and Internet access.">triple-play</cite></a> fiber network to Buckhorn Lake in Sauk County. The Wisconsin Public Service Commission announced on December 11th that the RUC will instead receive $69,300 which will allow the network to extend to an additional 105 homes and 40 properties.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/reedsburg-utility-commission-receives-state-grant-expansion">... Well Deserved!  More 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/high-speed-broadband-access-becomes-lifeblood-modern-healthcare" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">High-Speed Broadband Access Becomes Lifeblood for Modern Healthcare</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, January 14, 2016 | 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="line-height:18.004px"><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/high-speed-broadband-access-becomes-lifeblood-modern-healthcare" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/ultrasound-public-domain.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="83" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">More than ever before, innovations in healthcare technology are saving lives. A series of 2015 stories from around the nation highlight the importance of fast, affordable, reliable connectivity in using those technologies to serve patients in both urban and rural settings.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Broadband Speed and Medical Crises</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The first story comes from <a href="http://cjspeaks.com/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Craig Settles,</a> an expert on broadband access issues. In his line of work, Settles is constantly thinking about, talking about, and writing about the many virtues of broadband technology. But Settles explains that after recently suffering a stroke that required rapid medical attention, he gained a new <a href="http://www.govtech.com/opinion/Community-Broadband-Easily-Explained.html?mc_cid=25af271380&mc_eid=e00c29a42c" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">perspective</a> on the issue.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/high-speed-broadband-access-becomes-lifeblood-modern-healthcare">... More on Health Care and High Quality Internet access ...</a><br><br></p><h1 class="" style="line-height:1.3em;margin:0px 0px 0.2em;font-family:Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;padding:0px">Community Broadband Media Roundup - January 19</h1><div id="content-area" style="line-height:18.004px"><div id="node-6043" class="" style="margin:0px 0px 27px;padding:0px 0px 15px;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;border-bottom-color:rgb(136,136,136)"><div class="" style="color:rgb(85,85,85);font-size:1em;font-style:italic;margin-bottom:10px"><span class="" style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, January 19, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/nick" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Nick</a></span></div><div class=""><div class="" style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div class=""><div class=""><img class="" width="125" height="125" alt="" src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/media-roundup-community-bb_3.png?1452886694" style="border: 0px;"></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>California</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.gtweekly.com/index.php/santa-cruz-news/santa-cruz-local-news/7192-catching-fiber.html?mc_cid=5727f14f70&mc_eid=2910c7b52b" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Catching fiber</a> by Kara Guzman, Good Times Weekly</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"><span style="font-size:0.9em;line-height:1.5em">“We’re solving our own market problems with a local company, through local government, to protect our community’s interests,” says Guevara. “This isn’t solely about technology. The Internet is access to the world and all the ideas and all the things to come that we can’t even foresee. </span><br></p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"> </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Delaware</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.statetechmagazine.com/article/2016/01/newark-del-study-municipal-broadband-options" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Newark, Del., to study municipal broadband options</a> by Phil Goldstein, State Tech Magazine</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-january-19"> ... Get the Full Community Network Media Roundup here ...</a><br></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>

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