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About Christopher

Christopher Mitchell is the Director of the Telecommunications as Commons Initiative with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. He runs MuniNetworks.org as part of ILSR’s effort to ensure broadband networks are directly accountable to the communities that depend upon them. More

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saltlaketribune
ILSR Press Room filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Dec 2, 2012

UTOPIA: World-class Broadband, Sky-high Debt

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/utopia-world-class-broadband-sky-high-debt/

The Salt Lake Tribune, December 2, 2012 Both public and private fiber-optic networks commonly borrow heavily as they build infrastructure and develop a viable subscriber base, several industry observers said. “When you build a network like this, it takes a minimum of several years of spending a lot of money before you start to get… Continue reading

we-cant-shop-our-way-to-a-better-economy
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 27, 2012

We Can’t Shop Our Way to a Better Economy

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/we-cant-shop-our-way-better-economy

Our colleague at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, Stacy Mitchell (too brilliant to be a relation of mine), recently gave an incredible presentation that focuses on some of the threats to our economy and how we can build stronger, more resilient communities. She doesn’t discuss broadband explicitly, but much of her critique of the largest… Continue reading

community-broadband-bits-23-harold-feld-from-public-knowledge
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 27, 2012

Community Broadband Bits 23 – Harold Feld from Public Knowledge

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-bits-23-harold-feld-public-knowledge

One hundred years after Teddy Roosevelt and AT&T agreed to the Kingsbury Commitment, Harold Feld joins us on Community Broadband Bits podcast to explain what the Kingsbury Commitment was and why it matters. In short, AT&T wants to change the way telecommunications networks are regulated and Harold is one of our best allies on this… Continue reading

raleigh-plans-hobbled-by-state-ban-on-municipal-networks
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 26, 2012

Raleigh Plans Hobbled by State Ban on Municipal Networks

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/raleigh-plans-hobbled-state-ban-municipal-networks

A recent article and video from Government Technology highlights the ambitious plans of Raleigh to harness the Internet to improve its attractiveness to forward-looking companies. Unfortunately, Time Warner Cable convinced North Carolina’s legislature that communities could not be trusted with the decision over whether it was a wise decision to invest in telecommunications networks. So… Continue reading

governmenttech
ILSR Press Room filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 21, 2012

Local Governments Strive for Broadband Independence

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/local-governments-strive-broadband-independence/

Government Technology, November 21, 2012 A small town nestled away in southern Minnesota doesn’t sound like the description of a high-tech battleground between local government and Internet service providers. But that’s reality in Winthrop, Minn. (pop 1,400), where the city’s fight to light up a municipally-owned broadband network is the latest skirmish in a national… Continue reading

community-broadband-bits-22-jason-grey-from-danville-virginia
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 20, 2012

Community Broadband Bits 22 – Jason Grey from Danville, Virginia

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-bits-22-jason-grey-danville-virginia

While I was in Danville, Virginia, for the Broadband Community Magazine Economic Development Conference, I had a chance to sit down with Jason Grey, nDanville Network Manager. This interview is our 22nd episode of the Community Broadband Bits podcast. Jason and I met five years ago when I first visited Danville to learn about its… Continue reading

upcoming-national-conference-for-media-reform-great-deal
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 19, 2012

Upcoming National Conference for Media Reform – Great Deal

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/upcoming-national-conference-media-reform-great-deal

Free Press is hosting the next National Conference for Media Reform (NCMR) in Denver, April 5-7. Though the panels are not finalized, it is safe to assume that we will have a few on broadband and telecommunications policy. That’s why I just registered for it and will undoubtedly be speaking on one or more sessions…. Continue reading

give-to-the-max-day
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 15, 2012

Give to the Max Day!

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/give-max-day

Today, November 15th, Minnesota non-profits join together for a 24-hour statewide day of giving. Donations made to ILSR during the 2012 Give to the Max Day will enter all of our donors into a pool that could result in a bonus donation being added to our totals. You can donate here. All of our Community… Continue reading

telecompetitor
ILSR Press Room filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 13, 2012

Fact Sheet Documents Community Broadband Job Creation

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.ilsr.org/fact-sheet-documents-community-broadband-job-creation/

Telecompetitor, November 13, 2012 The Institute for Local Self-Reliance has created a fact sheet that could help organizers of community broadband networks garner support for their projects. The two-page document includes examples of how community broadband networks in eight states have helped attract business to or retain businesses in their communities. “Community-owned networks often deliver… Continue reading

community-broadband-bits-21-benoit-felten-on-stokab
Article filed under Broadband | Written by Christopher | No Comments | Updated on Nov 13, 2012

Community Broadband Bits 21 – Benoit Felten on Stokab

The content that follows was originally published on the Institute for Local Self-Reliance website at http://www.muninetworks.org/content/community-broadband-bits-21-benoit-felten-stokab

For this week’s Community Broadband Bits, we venture outside the U.S. to interview Benoit Felten of Diffraction Analysis about the Stokab muni fiber network in Stockholm, Sweden. Stokab appears to be the most successful open access fiber network in the world. Benoit has just published a case study of Stokab and is an expert on… Continue reading