<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><br></div><div><h2 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/muni-network-huntsville-draws-google-fiber" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Muni Network in Huntsville Draws Google Fiber</a></h2><div 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 style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, February 22, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div><div><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/muni-network-huntsville-draws-google-fiber" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-huntsville-utilities.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="61" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Huntsville Utilities and Google Fiber <a href="http://www.huntsvilleal.gov/news/Huntsville_Utilities_to_build_a_fiber_network_throughout_the_City_2_22_16.php" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">announced today</a> that the utility will construct a dark fiber network and that Google Fiber will offer services to the community via the city's new fiber infrastructure investment.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We applaud Huntsville and Google for helping develop an innovative model that will create more choices for local businesses and residents. We believe this is an important step that can lead to a true market for Internet access, allowing people a real choice in providers while ensuring the network is accountable to local needs.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">Next Century Cities (NCC) <a href="http://nextcenturycities.org/2016/02/22/exciting-new-fiber-deployment-model-from-google-fiber-announced/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">describes the arrangement as</a> a "promising new model for ensuring greater access to high-quality broadband Internet." We see this as a significant step forward in creating competition and bringing high quality Internet access to every one. For many years, we have seen communities desire to invest in infrastructure but not have to engage in service competition with powerful rivals like Comcast or AT&T.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/muni-network-huntsville-draws-google-fiber" target="_blank">... We Like This Model and Are Excited ...</a> <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/exploring-huntsville-fiber-model-community-broadband-bits-podcast-191">Podcast Today on Huntsville With More Details</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/rural-broadband-expansion-ignores-economic-development-potential-minnesota-community-broadba" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Rural Broadband Expansion Ignores Economic Development Potential in Minnesota - Community Broadband Bits Podcast 190</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, February 23, 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/rural-broadband-expansion-ignores-economic-development-potential-minnesota-community-broadba" 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">For years, many rural communities suffered from a broadband donut hole problem - the investment in better-than-dial-up was in the population center, leaving a donut of poor access around it. Now policy to reverse that in places like Minnesota is perversely creating the opposite problem, to the detriment of the entire community.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">This week on the Community Broadband Bits podcast we welcome back Dan Dorman, Executive Director of the <a href="http://gmnp.org/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Greater Minnesota Partnership</a>. He is also a former legislator and current small business owner in Greater Minnesota.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">We discuss how this problem developed and where we see it happening before our very eyes. Though we focus on Minnesota, this issue is broadly applicable to all states. We also talk about how Comcast lobbyists have cynically manipulated the program to prevent economic development or possible competition, despite the fact that Comcast serves practically no one outside of the metro region.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">... <a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/rural-broadband-expansion-ignores-economic-development-potential-minnesota-community-broadba">Listen to the Show Here</a> ... <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/transcript-community-broadband-bits-episode-190">Read the Transcript 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/missouris-hb-2078-advances" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Missouri's HB 2078 Advances</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, February 27, 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/missouris-hb-2078-advances" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-missouri.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Dear Readers: </strong><strong>Since I first wrote this story with my attempt to analyze this bill, I have revisited my earlier interpretation. If you read this bill analysis before, you will notice some changes.</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">It is starting to become an annual pilgrimage to Jefferson City. Each year, House and Senate leaders on the telecom industry dole, introduce the same anti-competition bill.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">This year the bill we are watching is <a href="http://www.house.mo.gov/billsummary.aspx?bill=HB2078" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">HB 2078</a> in the House, yet another AT&T bill. We <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/missouri-legislature-another-anti-muni-session-pick-your-phone-and-call" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">briefly introduced you</a> to it in January when we requested you call Republican Representative Lyndall Fraker and the other Members of the House Utility Infrastructure Committee. Fraker is Chair of the Committee, often an indication that the committee will hear the bill.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">AT&T donated $20,000 to the House Republican Campaign Committee, <a href="http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/02/att-gave-62k-to-lawmakers-months-before-vote-to-limit-muni-broadband/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">reports Ars Technica</a>. Even though the check was deposited on February 15, 2016, Ars learned it was actually donated in September 2015, before session began. Regardless of when the money was donated, it is notable that AT&T contributed a total of $62,500 to political committees in Missouri, a place where the incumbent does not shy away from flexing its lobbying influence.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/missouris-hb-2078-advances">... Learn More About AT&T's Efforts to Crush Competition Here ...</a><br><br></p></div></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/nebraska-network-begins-grow-lincoln-conduit" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Nebraska Network Begins To Grow In Lincoln Conduit</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, February 23, 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="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/nebraska-network-begins-grow-lincoln-conduit" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/flag-lincoln-ne.jpg" alt="" title="" width="125" height="83" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Approximately 30,000 businesses and residential properties in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, will have access to gigabit 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>) by the end of 2016.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">ALLO Communications <a href="http://journalstar.com/business/local/downtown-east-lincoln-to-get-ultrafast-internet-first/article_da03a5c1-9c49-5eeb-b0bd-cf66f235cd8e.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">recently announced that is it ready</a> to begin the first phase of its four-phase plan to bring better connectivity to the town of 269,000. ALLO will use the city owned network of <a href="http://www.muninetworks.org/content/conduit-brings-connectivity-lincoln-nebraska" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">conduit installed in 2012</a> to house its fiber and expand where necessary. </p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The arrangement will bring a <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 of video, voice, and data to the entire city by 2020. The minimum speed available will be 100 Megabits per second (<a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term18" 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="Megabits per second - a measure of speed.  8 Mbps means that 8 million bits are transferred each second.  Using an 8 Mbps connection, it would take 1 second to transfer an 1 MB (Megabyte) file - a photo, for instance.  Don't get lost in the details - when it comes to Mbps, more is faster.  1 Kbps (Kilobits)<1 Mbps<1 Gbps (Gigabits)">Mbps</cite></a>) and a 1 gigabit per second option will also be available. Both tiers will provide <a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term24" 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="Internet connections have two components - a downstream and upstream.  When the two speeds are comparable, the connection is termed symmetric.  Fiber-optic networks more readily offer symmetrical connections than DSL and cable, which are inherently asymmetrical.  Ultimately, purely symmetrical connections are less important than connections which offer robust connections in both ways.  However, modern asymmetrical connections via DSL and cable networks offer upload speeds that are too slow to take advantage of modern applications.">symmetrical</cite></a> speeds so <a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term28" 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="Internet connections have two components - a downstream and upstream.  Upstream refers to the rate at which the user's computer can send data to the Internet.  DSL and cable networks frequently offer upload speeds at only 1/10 of the downstream speeds.  This is one of the main reasons DSL and cable networks are insufficient for the modern Internet.">upload</cite></a> will be just as fast as <a class="" href="http://muninetworks.org/glossary/1#term8" 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="Internet connections have two components - a downstream and upstream.  Downstream refers to the rate at which the user's computer can receive data from the Internet.">download</cite></a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/nebraska-network-begins-grow-lincoln-conduit">... More Details on this Approach Here ...</a></p></div></div><div><br></div><div><h2 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/mn-coop-rural-schools-have-gig-no-extra-charge" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">MN Coop to Rural Schools: Have A Gig, No Extra Charge</a></h2><div 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 style="font-size:0.9em">Mon, February 22, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/lgonzalez" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">lgonzalez</a></span></div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div><div><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/mn-coop-rural-schools-have-gig-no-extra-charge" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/logo-paulbunyan-coop.gif" alt="" title="" width="125" height="67" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px">Minnesota's <a href="http://www.paulbunyan.net/index.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Paul Bunyan Communications</a>' is bringing better connectivity to homes and businesses across northern rural Minnesota via fiber. The cooperative is also helping local school districts save precious dollars while obtaining the Internet access kids need for a 21st century education.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">The cooperative recently announced it is now serving all schools in the GigaZone, the area served by its fiber network, and every school can <strong>upgrade to gigabit Internet services</strong> <strong>at no extra charge</strong>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="https://bringmethenews.files.wordpress.com/2016/02/gigazone-comes-to-all-school-districts-served-by-paul-bunyan-communications1.pdf" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">From the announcement</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 GigaZone will provide the school districts Gigabit Internet speeds throughout the school day so educators and students alike can use the Internet faster and more efficiently. This upgrade is being provided at no extra charge so districts can stay within their budget and prepare their students for the future and the new technologies it will bring," said Steve Howard, Paul Bunyan Communications IT & Development Manager.</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/mn-coop-rural-schools-have-gig-no-extra-charge" target="_blank">... Learn More About These Suddenly Gigged Schools 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/not-nuclear-power-power-connectivity-vernon-vermont" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Not Nuclear Power, but the Power of Connectivity in Vernon, Vermont</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, February 26, 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/not-nuclear-power-power-connectivity-vernon-vermont" class="" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/seal-vermont.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://vernonvermont.org/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Vernon, Vermont</a>, is a little town in search of a boost to the local economy. <em>The Commons </em>reports that residents <a href="http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=13441&page=1#.VsdL-pMrLBL" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">formed a Fiber Optic Committee in June</a> and now are <a href="http://www.commonsnews.org/site/site05/story.php?articleno=13893&page=1#.VsdbxpMrLBK" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">exploring the possibility of a municipal network</a>.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>First an Idea, Now a Plan</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px">In December of 2014, the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant in the town began to shutdown. Over the next few years, as the plant ends operations, it will eliminate a total of 400 jobs in a town of 2,200. Vernon is looking for other keys to economic development.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">A local resident came up with an idea -- fiber optics. Vernon's Munson Hicks, is now a member of the 5-person Fiber Optic Committee seeking to find a way to make the idea a reality:</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/not-nuclear-power-power-connectivity-vernon-vermont">... More Reality, Just Click This Link ...</a><br><br></p></div></div></div><div><h2 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/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-23" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Community Broadband Media Roundup - February 23</a></h2><div 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 style="font-size:0.9em">Tue, February 23, 2016 | Posted by <a href="http://muninetworks.org/users/nick" title="View user profile." style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Nick</a></span></div><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Verdana,Tahoma,'DejaVu Sans',sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:18.004px"><div style="float:left;margin:0px 10px 1em 0px"><div><div><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-23" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank"><img src="http://muninetworks.org/sites/www.muninetworks.org/files/imagecache/teaser/media-roundup-community-bb_7.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Alabama</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.govtech.com/network/Montgomery-Launches-First-City-Owned-Internet-Exchange-Point-in-Alabama.html?mc_cid=82aa765b30&mc_eid=2910c7b52b" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Montgomery launches first city-owned Internet exchange point in Alabama</a> by Colin Wood, GovTech</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"> </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Kentucky</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.kyforward.com/center-for-rural-development-leading-the-efforts-on-broadband-expansion-in-eastern-kentucky/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Center for Rural Development leading the efforts on broadband expansion in Eastern Kentucky</a> by Kentucky Forward</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"> </p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Maine</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.keepmecurrent.com/lakes_region_weekly/news/lakes-region-towns-collaborate-to-boost-internet-speed/article_f98cec68-d67f-11e5-b7a2-77e102b535b6.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Lakes Region towns collaborate to boost Internet speed</a> by Tess Wrobelski, Keep ME Current</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-23" target="_blank">... Read the Rest of this Media Roundup Here ...</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://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-29" style="color:rgb(51,51,51);text-decoration:none">Community Broadband Media Roundup - February 29</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, February 29, 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="" 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/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-29" 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_8.png" alt="" title="" width="125" height="125" class="" style="border: 0px;"></a></div></div></div><p style="margin:1em 0px"><strong>Alabama</strong></p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://arstechnica.com/business/2016/02/google-fiber-teams-with-huntsville-utility-to-expand-broadband/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Google Fiber joins forces with municpal broadband network</a> by Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/269544/google-to-use-city-owned-network-to-bring-fiber-to.html" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Google to use city-owned network to bring fiber to Hunstville</a> by Wendy Davis, Media Post</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">This private-public model for broadband could spread far beyond Huntsville, according to muni-broadband proponent Christopher Mitchell, director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance's Community Broadband Networks Initiative.</p><p style="margin:1em 0px">"In many ways, I think this is a tremendously hopeful development," Mitchell tells MediaPost. "It gives cities a great confidence that if they build passive infrastructure, they will be able to work with ISPs."</p></blockquote><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://financialcv.com/2016/02/google-fiber-is-coming-to-huntsville-alabama/" style="color:rgb(121,80,37);text-decoration:none">Google Fiber is coming to Hunstville, Alabama</a> by Kent Wallace, Financial CV</p><p style="margin:1em 0px"><a href="http://muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-media-roundup-february-29">... More Media, More Rounded Up Here ...</a></p></div></div><div><br></div></div>

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