The last three years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of communities building publicly-owned, locally controlled infrastructure. What do you think? Sign up and comment below.
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Engaging With Communities Crucial in Building Public Broadband Networks
Speakers emphasized the importance of assessing community needs, building partnerships, and educating people about the benefits of broadband internet.
New York Budget Passes Without Anti-Municipal Broadband Language
Advocates said proposed language from the state assembly would have hindered public broadband deployment.
Three Broadband Bills Face Defeat in Wisconsin Senate
The state senate thwarted bills aiming to enhance local autonomy and mandate ISP accountability for advertised speeds.
AAPB New Handbook: ‘How To Build A Public Broadband Network’
A new guide aims to assist communities in maneuvering common hurdles to building public broadband networks.
Martinsville, Virginia, Will Take Full Advantage Of Decades-Old Fiber Network
The core network consisted of 48 strands and 20 miles of fiber connecting city schools, municipal buildings and key anchor institutions
UTOPIA Fiber Announces Connection Numbers for 2023
The community-owned fiber provider secured more than $35 million in new financing last year.
Bardstown, Kentucky, is Selling City-Owned Cable TV Company To Charter
The city made a 'business decision' to sell now to avoid costly upgrades to the communications network
Pennsylvania Broadband Authority Sees No Conflict in State Preemption Law and BEAD Rules
State broadband authority modified its BEAD plan after public feedback cast doubt on the its ability to override state law.
AAPB Opposes Bill Forcing Kentucky Utility to Divest Telecommunications Unit
The bill would give Frankfort a deadline of Dec. 31, 2024 to either transfer or sell the utility’s public projects.
Sean Gonsalves: New Municipal Broadband Networks Skyrocket in Post-Pandemic America
Since January 1, 2021, at least 47 new municipal networks have come online, with dozens more in planning or pre-construction.
Rural Broadband Provider Touts Cooperative and Coalition-based Models
Collaboration and a not-for-profit model allow rural providers to serve the most sparsely populated areas.
Karl Bode: After Decades of Talk, Palo Alto Drives Forward on Municipal Fiber Build
Palo Alto officials have been talking about building such a network since 1998.
After BEAD Allocation, Gigi Sohn Advocates Municipal Broadband to Close Coverage Gaps
It’s unclear how BEAD funds will interact with state laws restricting municipal broadband projects.
Sean Gonsalves: After Years of Talk, Cambridge is Now Taking Serious Look at Municipal Broadband
Cambridge aims to construct a citywide fiber network that passes all 52,300 residences and businesses in the city.
Gigi Sohn Announced as New Executive Director of the American Association for Public Broadband
In surprise announcement at keynote luncheon, Sohn revealed as the first executive director of the new organization advocating for municipalities.
Public-Private Partnership Provides Access and Affordability Solutions in Brownsville
In 2014, Brownsville was ranked as the worst-connected city in the United States.
CLIC, AAPB and Broadband Breakfast Host Super Session on Community Broadband Initiatives on May 1
Brought to you by the Coalition for Local Internet Choice, the American Association for Public Broadband and Broadband Breakfast.
Community Broadband Bill, USDA Technical Assistance Funding, Brian Vo on Public Knowledge Board
Bill by Rep. Anna Eshoo and Sen. Cory Booker would preempt state laws prohibiting municipal broadband projects using public funds.
Brieana Reed-Harmel: Capital Construction of a Municipal Broadband Utility 101
The author led the city of Loveland, Colorado, through the assessment and feasibility study of publicly-owned broadband.
Kelly Wert: States Seek to Fund Broadband Upgrades in Affordable Rental Housing
Efforts in multiple states aim to address connectivity challenges for low-income residents.
Amid Flawed Federal Maps and Programs, Local Action is Key: Connected America Conference
Communities should take initiative in building out networks without waiting for federal funding, panelists said.
Municipal and Co-Op ISPs Raise ‘Anti-Competitive Concerns,’ Says Duke Professor
The average probability of new entrants dropped when one of two ISPs is owned by the municipality, a paper claims.
Communities Need Governance Seat on Broadband Builds, Conference Hears
Communities need to be involved in decision-making when it comes to broadband builds.
Local Leadership and Coordination Key to Proper Federal Fund Allocation, Conference Hears
Local communities understand their own needs, said Arkansas’s Glen Howie.
White House Presses Outreach Initiatives for Affordable Connectivity Program
White House officials urged schools and other local institutions to engage in text-message and social media campaigns for the ACP.
Pandemic Possible Inflection Point in States’ Move Away from Restrictions on Community Networks
The number of states restricting municipal broadband networks has dropped during the pandemic.
Dish Using IBM AI for 5G Network, ConnectMaine’s New Grants, Intuit Buys Mailchimp, STL Hires Former Ericsson Exec
Dish is partnering with IBM for 5G, ConnectMaine’s community broadband grants, Intuit to buy Mailchimp, STL hires Paolo Colella.
Population Center in Chautauqua County May Be First City in New York With Municipal Fiber
Jamestown is hoping an open access network would make internet more affordable.
Start Your Own ISP Lowers Barrier to Establishing Wireless Internet Service Providers
Start Your Own ISP founder discusses how WISP technology enables rural communities to access broadband.
Expert Opinion: Broadband Adventures in Wunderland: The (Expensive) Myth of Competition
The National Broadband Plan won’t do jack until more folks in Wunderland acknowledge and aggressively address one stark truth – broadband competition is mostly a myth, expensively maintained through lobbyists, think tanks and easily-influenced politicians. Until we get meaningful competition, a sign
Institute for Local Self-Reliance Issues Community Broadband Report
WASHINGTON, March 25, 2011 – The Institute for Local Self-Reliance unveiled its Community Broadband Network Map and Report on Wednesday.
Levin, Settles Square Off On Broadband Funding Debate
WASHINGTON, February 7, 2011 – Blair Levin, head of the team that authored the National Broadband Plan and Craig Settles, a leading industry analyst, debated at the New America Foundation on Monday the best way to deploy broadband to unserved and underserved areas.
Community Broadband Providers Face Unique Challenges
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2010 – Community broadband providers face unique challenges, said a group of experts Thursday at an event hosted by the New America Foundation. Broadband is a local issue and members of the communications community shouldn’t lose sight of that, said author Craig Settles, who is
